Nine newly established Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres in Hong Kong commenced operation today (December 27).
The Immigration Department (ImmD) began the first phase of the territory-wide identity card replacement exercise, which is from today to March 30 next year, by first replacing the smart Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) of members of the Immigration Service, police officers and labour inspectors, allowing them to get familiar with the features of new smart HKICs for fighting against illegal immigration and illegal employment. Also, the Chief Executive, members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, and Principal Officials have an option to replace their existing smart HKICs at this phase so as to promote the new smart HKICs.
During the second phase, which is from January 21 to March 30 next year, ImmD will arrange Hong Kong residents who were born in 1985 or 1986 to replace their existing smart HKICs. Afterwards, during the third phase, which is from April 1 to June 1 next year, Hong Kong residents who were born in 1968 or 1969 will be arranged to replace their smart HKICs. ImmD will announce the replacement exercise timetable for other age groups in due course.
The ImmD appeals to members of the public to use the website www.gov.hk/newicbooking, ImmD Mobile App, or 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234 for booking and encourages applicants to pre-fill the form via the Internet or ImmD Mobile App in order to further enhance the efficiency and convenience of the replacement process. For details of the new smart HKICs, members of the public may visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk.
For enquiries, please contact ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111, by fax to 2877 7711 or by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.
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