From December 22, the eligible age for using the self-service immigration clearance e-Channel service by holders of the Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to & from Hong Kong & Macau (e-EEP), People's Republic of China (PRC) passport holders, and departing visitors using "Smart Departure" will be lowered to seven years old or above.

Announcing the move today, the Immigration Department noted that currently, holders of the e-EEP, PRC passport holders and departing visitors using "Smart Departure" who are aged 11 or above are eligible to use the e-Channel service.

The department said that lowering the applicable age for these visitors using the e-Channel service to seven or above aims to enhance clearance efficiency at control points and enable more eligible visitors to Hong Kong to use the e-Channel service.