The Hong Kong Immigration Department and South Korea Immigration Service signed a memorandum yesterday allowing residents from both countries to use electronic immigration border gates in Hong Kong and South Korea starting from the end of this year.
To use the service in South Korea, Hong Kong residents should be over 17 years old, hold a valid HKSAR passport and not hold a criminal record in South Korea. Residents need to register their personal information and fingerprints before using the service – something that also applies to South Koreans wanting to use the service.
Automated immigration check gates are located at a number of entry points to the two countries, including Incheon Airport in Seoul and Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong. It only takes 16 seconds to pass through.
Eric Chan Kwok Ki, director of Hong Kong Immigration said at the signing ceremony that 1,000 Hong Kong people go to South Korea per day, and 3,000 South Koreans come to Hong Kong. He also said that the two have long-established financial, economic, social and cultural interactions, and he believes the service will encourage bi-lateral tourism, trade and business links.
More information will be available soon at www.immd.gov.hk
Valerian Ho
