The Immigration Department of Hong Kong on Tuesday launched the advance passenger information (API) system, marking a significant enhancement in the special administrative region’s border security measures.

The API system requires aircraft operators to comply with the Immigration (Advance Passenger Information) Regulation, which was published on March 24 last year, by transmitting to the ImmD detailed information about passengers and flights heading to Hong Kong.

Explaining the system, a spokesman for the ImmD said during check-in for a flight heading to Hong Kong, the aircraft operator will capture the required API data from a traveler's travel document and transmit the traveler and aircraft information to the API system, which will instantly process the information and provide a response message, i.e. a board or no-board direction, for each traveler back to the aircraft operator.

“The aircraft operator shall act upon the direction given through the API system, i.e. to allow or not allow specific travelers to board the aircraft heading to Hong Kong,” added the spokesman.

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The rollout will be carried out in phases to allow sufficient time for over 100 aircraft operators to connect to the API system and to ensure the system will run in a smooth and orderly manner.

There will be a transitional period of around 12 months, after which the offences and defenses, and the miscellaneous provisions under Parts 4 and 5 of the Regulation will come into effect, starting Sept 1, 2025.

The move – designed to strengthen immigration controls and prevent individuals who may pose security risks including potential non-refoulement claimants, from boarding flights to Hong Kong – aligns the SAR with global aviation security standards set by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CICA) and positions the city alongside other major international aviation hubs, the government said in a statement.

The API system will not issue a no-board direction against Hong Kong permanent residents who enjoy the right of abode in Hong Kong, said the ImmD spokesman.

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“The freedom to travel and the right of Hong Kong residents to enter or leave Hong Kong are guaranteed under Article 31 of the Basic Law and Article 8 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights as set out in the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap.383). Such freedom and right are not affected by the implementation of the API system.”

In 2018, the International Civil Aviation Organization implemented a new requirement under the updated CICA, requiring each contracting state to establish the API system. The People's Republic of China is one of the signatories to the CICA, and the CICA is also applicable to the HKSAR.