8
All in-coming passengers complete arrival cards which they produce, with their travel documents, for examination by Assistant Immigration Officers at the immigration counters. Four of the 60 counters in the Arrival Hall are reserved for staff and aircrew. Of the remainder, a maximum of 48 are manned at peak periods, and eight counters cannot be manned with the present staff establishment. The number of counters to be
be opened, some of which are designated for
for Hong Kong residents, is closely monitored and adjusted in accordance with the pattern of traffic.
9
immigration
for
are
Travel documents are examined at the counters to ensure that the person is the rightful holder, the document is genuine and valid and that appropriate visas are held where required. In the case of visitors the reasons their visiting Hong Kong are checked. All passengers checked against a watchlist to ensure that undesirables not admitted or that returning residents are not wanted for
The travel document is then endorsed by immigration officer with the appropriate condition
of stay and, where applicable, a time limit.
any
10
reason.
are
an
According to policy standards. ΠΟ person should have to wait at a control point in a peak period for more than half an hour. The average time for examination of documents upon arrival is 86 seconds for a visitor and 66 seconds for a Hong Kong resident. Passengers requiring secondary examination are dealt with away from the queue so as not to impede the general passenger flow.
11
The Immigration Department conducted a survey of arrivals during airport opening hours (6.30-12 p.m. each day)
For for one week in April and one week in September 1986. about 60% of the time passengers cleared immigration in less than 15 minutes. For 30% of the time passengers took 15 to 30 minutes to clear immigration and for 10% of the time, they had to wait on average, more than 30 minutes.
12
Baggage is normally transported from the aircraft to the reclaim loops in the Customs Hall in
in 15 -30 minutes, except when an aircraft is parked at one of the more remote outer bays.
13
In the event of immigration clearance exceeding 30 minutes, baggage is normally set aside to await collection in the presence of the airline staff concerned.