The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (January 12) that the fifth cycle of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) will commence on April 4, 2022.
The Secretary for Security has made an Amendment Order to announce the call-up programme of the fifth cycle of the Replacement Exercise. The details are as follows:
| Eligible persons | Application period |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1989, 1990 or 1991 | April 4 – June 10, 2022 |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1992, 1993, 1994 or 1995 | June 11 – September 7, 2022 |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 or 2000 | September 8 – December 10, 2022 |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1954 or before | April 4, 2022 – January 14, 2023 |
The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on January 19, 2022, for negative vetting.
Moreover, the ImmD spokesman reminded the public that for Hong Kong residents born in 1980, 1981 or 1982, their specified period for identity card replacement will end on January 18, 2022 (Tuesday). Those who have not yet applied for a new smart identity card should do so at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) as early as possible. Persons being called up before and are unable to replace their Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) within their specified period due to the epidemic or other reasons shall apply for HKIC replacement at the SIDCCs immediately.
The Replacement Exercise covers all Hong Kong residents, who are required to apply for a new smart identity card in person at the SIDCCs during specified periods, whether they are permanent residents or non-permanent residents who are permitted to take up employment, make investment, reside or study in Hong Kong. If eligible Hong Kong residents are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up periods, they need not rush back to Hong Kong to replace their identity cards. They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.
To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to the applicants to make appointments via the ImmD mobile application, the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. Residents may also scan the QR codes at Annex II to download the mobile application or to make an appointment for identity card replacement via the Internet. The ImmD also appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointments through the mobile application or the Internet for faster identity card replacement service. Applicants are required to bring along their old form of smart identity cards when they proceed to the SIDCCs.
For this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD has implemented a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 or above and two persons with disabilities to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC. Starting from April 4, 2022, all eligible applicants aged 65 or above may choose to visit an SIDCC on their own or with an eligible applicant for identity card replacement.
For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.
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