The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 25) that Hong Kong residents born in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 or 2000 and holding the old form of smart identity card should bring along their identity cards and apply for new smart identity cards in person at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) on or before December 10 (Saturday). For Hong Kong residents born in 1954 or before, their specified period for identity card replacement will end on January 14, 2023 (Saturday).
Moreover, the ImmD has earlier announced that the last application date for replacement of new smart identity cards at the SIDCCs is February 11, 2023. The SIDCCs will cease to accept such applications thereafter, while the collection service of new smart identity cards at SIDCCs will be maintained until March 3, 2023. Members of the public who have missed their specified call-up periods and have not yet applied for a new smart identity card should bring along their identity cards and apply for one in person at any of the SIDCCs as soon as possible.
The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) covers all Hong Kong residents, who should apply for new smart identity cards 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. Nonetheless, eligible Hong Kong residents who cannot have their identity cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to their absence from Hong Kong need not rush back to Hong Kong for identity card replacement before the end of the Replacement Exercise. They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.
To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to 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 scan the QR codes in Annex II to download the ImmD 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.
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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