Enhancement Of Port Facilities And Commencement Of New Control Points

13 Jan 2011

In regard of port facilities, improvement work will be carried out by stages at the passenger terminal of the Lok Ma Chau control point. The first stage, concerning the entry (southbound) works will be launched in mid-2011 and is expected to be completed in mid-2012. The second stage, concerning the exit (northbound) works will follow. It is expected that the whole project will be completed in the latter half of 2013. The number of self-service immigration exit and entry channels (e-Channels) will be increased from 20 to 46. After the completion of the improvement work, the number of traditional counters and e-Channels for processing exit and entry immigration clearance will be increased to 96 in total.

In addition, improvement works will also be carried out at the passenger terminal of the Man Kam To control point. The number of e-Channel will be doubled, from 9 to 18. The project will be launched in the first quarter of 2011 and is expected to be completed in 2012.

In the coming few years, there will be a number of new control points, including the new cruise terminal, which is expected to commence service in 2013, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Liangtang/Heung Yuen Wai Cross-boundary Control Points etc. The immigration department will actively work together with the relevant bureaus to provide courteous and efficient immigration services to the travelling public.

Enhancement of ImmD Computer Systems to Process Electronic Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao and Extension of e-channel Service

The Mainland authorities' plan to introduce, by phases from 2012, electronic Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP). An electronic EEP will contain a computer chip which stores the holder's personal information and exit endorsement to Hong Kong. In order to retrieve information from the electronic EEP and record the limit as well as the conditions of stay, in July 2010, the Department has applied to the Legislative Council for funding to modify and upgrade its computer systems and install new facilities at control points and its offices. Moreover, in view of the facilitation measures implemented recently by the Mainland authorities, a continuous growth in the number of Mainland visitors visiting Hong Kong is anticipated. The Immigration Department plans to further enhance its handling capacity, as well as efficiency, by allowing eligible Mainland frequent visitors to use e-Channels after enrolment in 2012.

Greater Convenience for Travel Document Applicants

Currently, eligible applicants aged 18 and above may submit their applications for a HKSAR passport through the self-service kiosks installed at the Headquarters and the Immigration Branch Offices. In order to provide better service to the public, this service will be extended to eligible applicants aged 11 to 17.

Information Systems Strategy Review

In March 2010, the Department commissioned an external consultant to conduct a review of its Information Systems Strategy (ISS) with a view to further improving efficiency and delivering better services to the public through judicious use of information technology (IT). According to the ISS consultant, the Department should embark on a new ISS with a view to replacing existing information systems and IT infrastructure in the coming decade.