Iris-recognition e-channel set to expand service for more non-locals

Macau currently provides 152 e-Channel lanes equipped with iris-recognition scans for registered residents of Macau and Hong Kong, with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) planning to extend the service to non-local employees and students.

According to the PSP, iris-recognition lanes are currently available at various locations in Macau, including 71 lanes at Border Gate, 24 lanes at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoint, 15 lanes at Macau International Airport, 18 lanes at Taipa Ferry Terminal, 16 lanes at Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, and eight lanes at the Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal.

Government data shows that 330,000 Macau residents and nearly 400,000 Hong Kong permanent residents have registered for iris recognition to date, with cumulative usage figures reaching 26.28 million visits and over 1.4 million visits, respectively, by the end of last year.

In recent months, the iris-recognition immigration system accounted for 42.6% of crossings by Macau residents via self-service barriers, while Hong Kong permanent residents represented 34.2% of self-service customs clearances in Macau within just six months.

The PSP added 71 second-generation iris self-service lanes at six border checkpoints in 2024, with another 71 added in 2025, bringing the total to 152.

The PSP continued to point out that it will monitor the usage of iris clearance while optimizing its efficiency and security. Plans are in place to expand eligibility this year to include long-term residents, such as non-local employees and students.

Meanwhile, the PSP announced that effective today, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau aged seven and above can utilize each other’s e-Channels, provided they complete registration by presenting supporting documents in person at the automated passenger clearance office at the respective checkpoint.

Additionally, eligible non-permanent residents aged 18 or older from both regions may pre-register using local self-service kiosks, and approximately three hours after successful registration, they will be able to use the other region’s self-service clearance channels for entry and exit.