Immigration clearance made simpler for HK residents

[Emigra]

Immigration clearance made simpler for HK residents

8 April 2004

From tomorrow (April 9), Hong Kong residents presenting the following travel documents for immigration examination at all control points will no longer be required to complete and furnish an arrival or departure card:

Hong Kong SAR Passport;


Hong Kong SAR Re-entry Permit;


Hong Kong SAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes;


Hong Kong Seaman's Identity Book;


Multiple Entry Permit for Chinese residents of Taiwan who have been permitted to take up employment or residence in the Hong Kong SAR;


Hong Kong Certificate of Identity; or


British National (Overseas) Passport.
Under the existing arrangements, Hong Kong residents travelling on their Hong Kong identity cards are already exempt from furnishing an arrival or departure card under the Easy Travel Scheme.

An Immigration Department spokesman said that the new arrangement would mean greater convenience for Hong Kong residents who, for one reason or another, do not produce their Hong Kong identity cards for immigration clearance.

The department appeals to all Hong Kong residents to use, as far as possible, their Hong Kong identity cards when travelling in and out of Hong Kong.

"It not only saves them time, but also speeds up the immigration clearance process, which is particularly important during the rush periods." the spokesman said.

Source: The Hong Kong Immigration Department

[tjlegg]

I doubt that it really sped things up this weekend coming through immigration at Chek Lap Kok. But it is nice for me to not have to keep track of that departure slip until I leave Hong Kong again. And I'm sure it's great for the Immigration Dept. to not have to keep track of the pile of paper slips.

[KnowItAll]

You actually don't need to keep track of the slip. Immigration is pretty forgiving if you loose it.

[lybenben]

Just wish to clarify: does this mean (if I hold both the HKPIC and HKSAR passport) I can use my HKSAR passport to enter HONG KONG instead of the HKPIC? (Particularly since I'm overseas now, and I may not be back in HONGKONG until after the whole smart ID card renewal exercise has finished)?