The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was established by the Hong Kong Government in August 1961. For the past 48 years, the department has expanded from a small office with about 200 officers to a major law-enforcement agency of more than 6,000 staff. In the rapidly changing social and political environment, the department has been formulating its IT strategies to tie in with the digital era of the 21st century. In order to accomplish the mission of delivering the most efficient and the highest quality services to the public, the department has successfully applied state-of-the-art information technologies.
The department has developed and introduced a number of recognised e-systems that have won several major Hong Kong ICT (information and communications technology) awards. In the 2008 Hong Kong ICT Awards, the department received seven awards in three different areas.
Electronic Passport (e-Passport) System
The electronic passport (e-Passport) system won five awards in the 2008 Hong Kong ICT Awards, including the Best Innovation and Research Grand Award, Best Innovation and Research (Open) Gold Award, Certificate of Merit, Best Lifestyle (Work Life and Professional Services) Gold Award and Best Public Service Application (Most Favoured) Silver Award.
The e-Passport was introduced in February 2007. In compliance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the e-Passport is embedded with a contactless chip that contains digital data of a holder's personal particulars and facial image. The e-Passport contains more than 40 anti-forgery features. By applying laser engraving technology, the holder's photo and personal information is engraved on the bio-data page which is made of durable material known as polycarbonate. The e-Passport, with its high quality and high level of security, has been well received by the general public. The system currently can produce about 3,000 applications daily. Currently, more than 130 countries or territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders.
The e-PASS was developed to support and control the issuance of new e-Passports as well as other electronic travel documents such as the electronic Document of Identity. State-of-the-art technologies are applied and integrated into the e-PASS which handles application processing, assessment, personalisation and issuance of e-Passport. As a result of increased productivity, the time required for processing passport applications is shortened from 15 to 10 working days.
Control Point System
The Control Point System was awarded the Best Business (Application) Silver Award at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008. The system is an innovative and sophisticated system that employs advanced information, communication and biometric technologies. With a number of award-winning sub-systems integrated seamlessly together, the system provides a reliable, efficient and effective immigration clearance service to travelers while maintaining a desired balance between facilitation and control.
In addition to entry and exit processing and the system for handling millions of movement records, the Deployment Information and Command System provides real-time information for effective staff deployment. The Facial Recognition System also identifies travelers through application of facial recognition technology. Moreover, the Automated Passenger and Vehicle Clearance System provides self-service immigration clearance facilities through the application of biometric technology. The Electronic Check Point System enables pre-checking of arrival passengers by air.
According to the panel of judges in the awards, this system deploys a number of the most advanced and innovative information and communications technologies to meet the various challenges posed by the complicated entry and exit environment.
Frequent Visitors e-Channel
The Immigration Department's Frequent Visitors e-Channel won the Certificate of Merit under the Best Public Service Application (Transformation) Award. In December 2004, the Immigration Department introduced the automated passenger clearance system (e-Channels) to the public. All existing passenger control points have been installed with e-Channels, including Hong Kong International Airport, Hung Hom, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok, Shenzhen Bay, China Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal. Currently, Hong Kong permanent residents, except those under the age of 11, or Hong Kong residents holding Document of Identity for Visa Purposes can use their smart identity cards to perform self-service immigration clearance.
Starting in March 2009, the Immigration Department commenced a pilot scheme at the Express e-Channel at the Lo Wu Control Point. The purpose of the pilot scheme is to provide faster self-service immigration clearance facilities to Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above who are existing e-Channel users and choose to enroll to use the Express e-Channel.
Future Outlook
As Hong Kong aims to promote wider regional integration, particularly with Taiwan, the Immigration Department will introduce two measures in 2009. The department will remove the restriction that limits a person to two iPermit applications within each 30-day period and extend the limit of stay in Hong Kong from 14 days to 30 days for holders of iPermits and multiple-entry permits.
Hong Kong and Macau will soon conclude an agreement to streamline clearance for residents travelling between the two cities and the new measures are expected to take effect in mid-2009. Also, a mutual visa-free access agreement with Russia is expected to be reached soon. The agreement will promote trade and tourism between the two economies.
In addition to enhancing its operating efficiency, the department will continue to employ the latest information technology. The updated Information System Strategy (ISS-2), for example, has been implemented to tackle the department's business needs and helps the department to provide the best service to the public.
