The Immigration Department will launch a new, fully contactless immigration channel at Hong Kong International Airport on September 30, enabling residents to depart using only facial recognition, without presenting any physical documents.
The new "Face Easy e-Channel" service is available to Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above who have already completed their departure procedures using the airport's Flight Token service. The process is designed for speed and convenience.
To use the service, travelers first look into a camera at the e-Channel gate for an initial facial scan to confirm their eligibility. Once verified, they proceed to a second facial recognition point to complete the formal immigration inspection. The entire two-step process takes approximately seven seconds.
While the clearance is document-free, passengers are still required to carry a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or travel document with them. No pre-registration is needed for the service.
The new system represents the next step in the airport's digital travel evolution, which began with the introduction of the Flight Token service in October 2022.
That service allows eligible residents to use their HKSAR Passport or other designated travel documents to self-process their departure and check-in.
The new facial recognition gates are located in both the North and South Departure Halls.
For registered passengers, the system provides a seamless journey from immigration to the boarding gate, allowing them to enter the restricted boarding area without having to present their identity documents or boarding pass a second time.
