Hong Kong Frequent Visitors card

[HardieBoys]

For those without an APEC card, the Hong Kong International Airport offers a frequent visitors card for those who visit HK 3 times in a 12 month period. It's free, and the documentation required is pretty straightforward. The card takes about 6 to 8 weeks to arrive, and is valid for 2 years. You need to travel through HK 6 times in the 2-year period to be eligible for renewal.

The card allows access to a much shorter queue through Immigration, but does not provide any special benefits with Customs. That said, Customs entering HK is extremely quick. The Frequent Visitors queue is not always open: I was in HK last week, landing at 05:00, and the queue wasn't open, but it was very quick anyway. The queue was open at 22:00 on my return.

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the reminder, my card expires on October '08, I'll need another visit or three to re qualify.

This card was first mentioned by MAL here: (HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport) Frequent Visitor Card)

 

[NM]

Today took me about 30 mins to clear outbound immigration and security screening at HKG. And arrivals formalities took about 15 mins last night. Unfortunately this is only my second visit in 12 months, so I need another before I can qualify and by then I should have my APEC card. But I think I will still apply for one of these anyway since its free and can't hurt to have another arrow in the quiver.

 

[HardieBoys]

I'm kicking myself for not getting a Frequent Visitors card earlier (though they were introduced only in 2004 sometime) as I've done 25 visits to HK in the past four years. Anyway...

The lines for Immigration seem to be worst in the afternoon, for example, when QF127 gets in at 17:45. Always take the queue nearest to the APEC / HKIA Frequent Visitors card lines, as when these lines aren't busy, the officers will call over people waiting in the normal lines. The same principle works when leaving HK: the left-most of the usual queues is next to the Frequent Visitor line.

 

[simongr]

They are absolutely brilliant! As I am not entitled to an APEC card these are great for me as I go to HKG about 4-5 times a year. I am wondering whether you can use the card if travelling with a companion who does not have one - any experiences?

 

[serfty]

Used mine outbound with mrs serfty accompanying at Easter earlier this year. The guy manning the Queue had a portable bar code reader - simply scanned the back of my card and through we both went.

 

[jasonja3]

Used it inbound and outbound with Mrs Jasonja3 last year with no problems.

I tend to use this card mainly instead on my APEC as the lines can be shorter and they monitor use for renewal purposes, that way it will always remain active, and I will always have a choice....

As for taking 6-8 weeks, I was utterly amazed when mine arrived exactly one week after posting it from Sydney, normal mail........

 

[HardieBoys]

You were lucky! I applied for mine in early August, and had already left for HK again in late September when it arrived, which was a pity, as I was in HK overnight, left for Beijing the following day, returning to HK for a few more days before returning to Sydney. Still, I got to use it this time around.

 

[Zippy7]

Anyone applied for one of these recently? I'm curious to know the turnaround time for you.

I applied about 4 weeks ago, and haven't seen anything yet. Thankfully for me, no new trips for the time being.

 

[JohnK]

I should have applied for the frequent visitors card when I qualified in 2006 but I have not cleared immigration in HKG since then so probably better to have one less card in the wallet.

 

[Zippy7]

I finally have mine now. Took about 6/7 weeks in the end (and I had scanned mine at home and done the whole application online)...

Now to see when I get my next trip to HK

 

[Mal]

Users of this card (and also the APEC card) are now able to register for a self service eChannel system using a fingerprint for entry at HKG airport:

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Immigration Department

Visitors aged 18 or above who hold a valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card with the economy code " HKG " or Hong Kong International Airport ( HKIA ) Frequent Visitor Card, and who have successfully enrolled with the Immigration Department of HKSAR, are now able to enjoy self-service immigration clearance at the Hong Kong International Airport.

The enrolment office is located at the airport arrival hall. Enrolment is free of charge. The enrolment process includes recording of fingerprints, taking of a photograph, signing of an enrolment form and affixing a bar-code sticker to the travel document. For the purpose of enrolment, the visitor is required to present his valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card or HKIA Frequent Visitor Card and his valid travel document and multiple visit visa (if applicable).

To perform self-service immigration clearance, the visitor is required to place his travel document into the document reader of the Frequent Visitor e-Channel. When the reading process finishes, the visitor can enter the e-Channel for fingerprint verification (please see the "Simple guide to fingerprint verification" in the earlier section). After successful verification, a label containing the conditions of stay of the visitor will be printed upon arrival. (No label will be printed upon departure.) After collecting the label, the visitor can leave the e-Channel. The label is to be affixed to a blank space of the visas page of the travel document.

If there is any change to the enrolled particulars, especially after the replacement of travel documents, visitors are reminded to approach the enrolment office to update the relevant information.

The current HK FVC lane will still operate, so that's the alternative if you don't want to sign up. Perhaps they will extend this form of self service border entry to other entry points as well.

 

[markh]

Users of this card (and also the APEC card) are now able to register for a self service eChannel system using a fingerprint for entry at HKG airport

Sound great - am off in Sept and will register ... A bit worried about Big Brother and all that, but I guess it is inevitable that all countries will eventually introduce fingerprint ID (like the US.)

 

[simongr]

Neat - I am there twice in the next month - but with mrssimongr who does not have the card so I can just register this time and use when I am back later in the year.

 

[Mal]

I signed up for the eChannel (by having a HKFVC). Fairly quick process - drop into an office, present your card and passport, answer a few questions, sign a form, get a photo taken and your 2 index fingers scanned. A barcode is then stuck onto the back cover of your passport.

You're then active within 5 mins on the system. I used my HKFVC to enter HK this time, but used the echannel on the way out.

One benefit of the echannel is that you're not required to fill out any paperwork on entering or exiting through the airport. (note the echannel only operates at the airport, although they use similar systems at other places). I wonder how that will go when you exit through a different port such as Lo Wu or ferry terminal.

You need to inform them if your HKFVC is replaced, or your passport etc is replaced. I believe if you lose your HKFVC access rights then you also lose echannel, but they were not clear on that requirement.

 

[Ric]

I wonder how that will go when you exit through a different port such as Lo Wu or ferry terminal.

I always go through the e-channel when entering Hkg and go Shenzhen through Lo Wu. I just fill in an Departure form as normal and when I come back into Hong Kong, I fill in an Arrival form. On exiting HKIA, I go through the e-channel. No problems thus far

I have asked immigration there and was told that there will be e-channels available at other entry/exit points in the near future.

Cheers,

Ric

 

[Keith009]

I keep telling myself to get one of these but keep procrastinating. Now I can see what I'm missing out on.

 

[yangry]

I really don't think it saves that much time.

It does save a bit of time going into Hong Kong but when you leaving Hong Kong, the queue is mainly for security check and not for customs. But better than nothing I suppose.

 

[simongr]

When leaving HK I find the queue to be 6-8 deep at the foreigners counter and 0 deep at the HKIFV counter - not massive and I admit that the security is the slowest part but still nice to breeze through...

 

[NM]

I really don't think it saves that much time.

It does save a bit of time going into Hong Kong but when you leaving Hong Kong, the queue is mainly for security check and not for customs. But better than nothing I suppose.

It does get you into the security screening queue a little earlier.