HK to introduce immigration amendment bill

The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2005 will be introduced soon in Hong Kong to allow automated self-service immigration clearance to streamline the cross-boundary movement of people and vehicles.

According to a government press release on Wednesday, the amendment will empower the Director of Immigration to extend this convenient method of immigration clearance to certain people -- including non-permanent residents holding a smart identity card with a valid limit of stay -- and frequent visitors.

Frequent visitors holding a travel pass the Director of Immigration issued would be among the first to be able to opt for automated means, the Security Bureau said.

Using automated self-service immigration clearance is voluntary.

Anyone who does not want to use the e-channels is free to use the traditional manned counters instead.

The bill, to be gazetteed on April 15, will be introduced to the Legislative Council on April 27.