Singapore's e-passport gates now opens to Australians

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't have any QF status, but considering they don't require any high-level status with most FF programs, surely the 'visits' method is redundant?

Looking at the AusBT list, I could just use my entry-level ANA card for example. Seems too easy!

That wasn't my reading of the ausbt list... it seems ausbt has only included status levels where provided by the airline. If the list includes no status, that doesn't necessarily mean 'all levels', it might mean 'we don't have that information'. I would think there is some sort of status required for most cards.

 

[JessicaTam]

That wasn't my reading of the ausbt list... it seems ausbt has only included status levels where provided by the airline. If the list includes no status, that doesn't necessarily mean 'all levels', it might mean 'we don't have that information'. I would think there is some sort of status required for most cards.

Correct. I went though this process last month, and the attendant made point of going through a folder looking to see that my QF WP card was valid. Each airline had a page with the cards that were suitable.

Some fairly recent info: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ustoms/hkia-frequent-arrivals-card-43804.html

 

[moa999]

Also be warned that the queues to apply for the HK sticker can be lengthy (they have a row of seats that people sit in but it takes up to 5min per person).

First two times I went in and there were 10+ ppl so I gave up - finally got it 3rd attempt with shorter wait -- it is however valid for life of passport.

If the Sing one (as it appears) is only 2yrs then that make it even more useless.

 

[wandering_fred]

Anyone have any experience in getting an eChannel sticker in the second passport as a dual citizen? HKG or SIN ?

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[dajop]

good news but a shame it requires registration rather than just accepting biometric passports as the inbound ones in Oz do.

Forgot to add, reason for this in SG the gates use thumbprint recognition. So they need to take your thumbprint.

 

[moa999]

So similar to HK .. Still not sure why the requirement for the passport photo, and the 2yr life

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anyone have any experience in getting an eChannel sticker in the second passport as a dual citizen? HKG or SIN ?

Happy wandering

Fred

It might be restricted to one passport.

My primary passport was due to expire and therefore ineligible to use eChannel. Immigration offered to swap it to my Aussie passport.

I asked if I wanted it back on my new primary passport what happens, and was told they would cancel it on the Aussie.

I didn't however specifically ask if i could have it on both.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Have now happily enrolled in both HKG and SIN programs. The Hong Kong one is especially valued – they don't stamp your passport so not missing out there, and the immi lines always seem to be a decent length making an e-Channel queue very useful. Plus, the validity is basically 10 years! Gotta love that.

Can't wait for my next trip to HKG!

 

[coles525]

Sorry if I failed to see the answers, but are there specific rules saying tgat to be issued with the 'entry pass'; you need to be a regular visitor of 3+ (or so) visits to HKG / SIN each year?

Or can someone who goes once a year, or every few years also apply?

 

[Cynicor]

Sorry if I failed to see the answers, but are there specific rules saying tgat to be issued with the 'entry pass'; you need to be a regular visitor of 3+ (or so) visits to HKG / SIN each year?

Or can someone who goes once a year, or every few years also apply?

Sin - 3 times last 12 months, apparently is an entry AND exit (so basically 4th arrival.

HKG- Gold or higher with QF, various other statuses with airlines.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Sorry if I failed to see the answers, but are there specific rules saying tgat to be issued with the 'entry pass'; you need to be a regular visitor of 3+ (or so) visits to HKG / SIN each year?

Or can someone who goes once a year, or every few years also apply?

Here are the requirements for HKG (via http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/echannel_visitors.html):

(1) Aged 18 or above;

(2) Holding a valid travel document and where appropriate, valid multiple visit visa;

(3) Holding one of the following valid documents:
- HKSAR Travel Pass;
- APEC Business Travel Card with ‘HKG’ printed on the reverse side;
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Frequent Visitor Card; or
- Frequent Flyer Programme membership card issued by airlines which have joined this scheme (please enquire with airlines for details).

(4) For passenger not holding one of the documents mentioned in item (3) above:
- Holding a valid travel document which is not required to have entry visa / permit for entering the HKSAR; and
- Has made visits to the HKSAR via the Hong Kong International Airport for no fewer than 3 times in the past 12 months immediately before enrolment for the e-Channel service.

(5) No adverse record in the HKSAR.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I don't have any QF status, but considering they don't require any high-level status with most FF programs, surely the 'visits' method is redundant? Looking at the AusBT list, I could just use my entry-level ANA card for example. Seems too easy!

Not quite: our list (pulled together after a lot of back-and-forth with HKIA, HK Immigration Department and airlines) lists only the frequent flyer programs for which selected tiers are valid. If we could determine the tier we included it (eg Qantas Gold, Platinum, Platinum One, Chairman's Lounge), in other instances all we could determine is that an airline's program was valid but not the status-based tiers which qualified for e-channel enrolment – so an airline program listed sans status doesn't mean all members of that scheme are valid... you could assume top-tiers are on the door list, or contact the airline to see if they know more on this.

 

[auriga]

Do you get anything that says how long you can stay in the country?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Do you get anything that says how long you can stay in the country?

Mine has 90 days written into it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mine has 90 days written into it.

Do you have an APEC card?

According to entry requirements, regular Australian passports are only entitled to a stay of 30 days in Singapore without needing a visa. APEC gets 90 days. (The ausbt article linked in the first post of this thread seems to support 30 days only.)

 

[ajd]

Do you have an APEC card?

According to entry requirements, regular Australian passports are only entitled to a stay of 30 days in Singapore without needing a visa. APEC gets 90 days. (The ausbt article linked in the first post of this thread seems to support 30 days only.)

According to the three Singaporean visit pass stamps I have in my decidedly non-APEC-ed Australian passport in front of me, at least as of June last year it's 90 days.

 

[vantage03]

I've just left HK airport with my sister, I have eChannel already so sent her to get hers. They just did it for her using her expired QF Platinum card.
FWIW she is still WP, but they weren't to know that, and didn't ask...

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Do you have an APEC card?

According to entry requirements, regular Australian passports are only entitled to a stay of 30 days in Singapore without needing a visa. APEC gets 90 days. (The ausbt article linked in the first post of this thread seems to support 30 days only.)

Definitely no APEC card. The stamp seems to say either 30 or 60, but agent hand wrote '90' over the top.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Definitely no APEC card. The stamp seems to say either 30 or 60, but agent hand wrote '90' over the top.

Interesting - maybe the pre-registration is acting as a semi-visa approval for 90 days?

 

[ajd]

Interesting - maybe the pre-registration is acting as a semi-visa approval for 90 days?

No, a *regular* Singapore visit pass without any e-passport registration is valid for 90 days.