Around 420,000 foreign domestic helpers, other imported workers, and non-local students with Hong Kong identity cards will be able to use the self-service immigration clearance system – known as e-Channel – at border control points starting from Friday.

To use the system, the Immigration Department said on Thursday these ID holders, aged 11 and above, have to register for the contactless e-Channel service through a smartphone with biometric authentication technology.

They can then choose to present either a QR code from the mobile app or their ID cards before undergoing a facial recognition check at e-Channel booths.

"For these three types of Hong Kong residents, it takes about 15 seconds for immigration clearance at traditional service counters, the time will be greatly reduced to seven seconds using e-Channels," said Or Chung-yuk, the department's assistant director for information systems.

Or also said all Hong Kong residents would go through immigration quicker and more conveniently this summer, which is normally a peak season for leaving and entering the city, after the e-Channel service is expanded to more ID card holders.