About six weeks ago we reported that foreign passport holders with Z visas would be allowed to apply for permission to use the e-channel (the one with the Plexiglas gates) to speed through immigration lines upon returning to China. We have now put this to the test, and the results so far are quite pleasing.
The primary prerequisites for obtaining this permission (read all of them here) is to have an “e-passport” enabled with a microchip and a valid visa and residence permit with at least six months of validity. Provided you have those, a face, and two working thumbprints, you're ready to go.
As I was being stamped back into Beijing at Terminal 3 at about 3.30am on Monday, I asked the immigration officer if the e-channel was available to foreigners with Z visas. She said, no, the e-channel was only available to Chinese citizens. I passed this by and went to the duty supervisor, who asked to see my visa, and upon inspection said yes, it was available, and handed me a very simple application to fill out.
The application is essentially a consent form permitting the registering officer to collect "biodata," as it says, which in this case means fingerprints. The form was in both Chinese and English and took about a minute to complete. There is more information requested on the back, in Chinese only, but the duty officer said that supplying a contact telephone number was sufficient.
After checking the form, I was asked to follow another officer to a counter next to the e-channel area. The officer spent some time entering information into the system. Either that or he was checking his email, there was a fair bit of clattering keys. A computerized female voice then directed me to place my right thumb on a nearby reader. Users of the iPhone who have activated Touch ID will find this process similar, but simpler. The voice and the officer then asked me to do the same with my left thumb. Finally, he asked me to look at a camera lens for a photo, which I'm sure at that hour and after seven hours of travel looked just charming.
When this was completed, the officer handed my passport back and said, "Ok, next time just use the e-channel." There is no barcode like for Hong Kong's Frequent Traveler program; your passport and biodata is simply authorized to use the electronic passageway.
From start to finish, the process took no more than 15 minutes. If the registration can be accomplished in the small hours, then doing so at more regular times should be even more convenient.
Now is a great time to sign up, especially if you are traveling internationally prior to a holiday home visit or Spring Festival getaway, when incoming immigration lines will be monstrous. I'll report back if using the e-channel is anything less than efficient when I try it at the end of the month.
More stories by this author here.
Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @greatwriteshark
Weibo: @SinoScuba潜水
Photo: Drben.net
"with at least six months of validity" - can confirm this...
I tried to apply just last week upon returning to Beijing...I literally was 5 months and so many days (22 I think) till Visa renewal and the duty manager refused to let me apply 
wondering if, after Visa renewal, pending on you using the same passport (same passport number) will you still get through the gates?
Are children allowed to have e-channel entry as well? Would be great for families returning at Spring Festival. Also, I wonder what the chances are of registering in the midst of the chaos of that re-entry. Didn't get a chance to leave a Christmas, so that travel is the next time I'm going anywhere.
I used the electronic channel Tuesday afternoon. There were about 200 people in line for normal customs clearance. There were five for the e-channel. It was done so quickly that when I reached the other side, I was shocked.
One important note: if you require a visa stamp or record of entry for some reason, like a visa renewal, then you may need to go to the duty desk and ask them to print one for you. Unlike the Hong Kong system, which automatically prints a receipt that indicates you entered the Hong Kong SAR, the PRC system doesn't do this automatically.
Other than that, it's a dream. I took the train to the main terminal and bought a couple of things at duty-free, and by the time I got to the baggage carousel, the luggage still hadn't started coming out yet. Register at your earliest convenience.
As for applying when exiting China,
that I don't know, andyou cannot because the entry and exit areas are in different places, and the facilities for registration are only available at the exit counter.
I'm confused ... registration is only available at the exit or the entrance counter?
These are good questions. Allow me to clarify:
When you pass through immigration at Terminal 3, behind the row of immigration counters is a high counter that says something like "Duty Desk" or "Duty Supervisor" on it. That's where you should inquire, and that's where you get the application.
Updated: As for applying when exiting China, that I don't know, and you cannot because the entry and exit areas are in different places, and the facilities for registration are only available at the exit entry counter. I'm not sure about what to do when one receives a new visa. If it's anything like Hong Kong, then it's tied to the passport, not the visa, but this system is somewhat different. I will check and update, thank you for asking.
