***********************************************************
Hong Kong residents who intend to travel abroad during the Lunar New Year holidays are reminded to apply now for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports.
An Immigration spokesman said that the processing time required for HKSAR passport applications was 10 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays), and 19 working days for children under 11 not holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Some countries require visitors to have a passport with a validity of at least six months. For applications submitted by post, via drop-in-box or online, an extra two to three working days might be required for handling formalities. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss or damage might require a longer processing time.
Requests for urgent issue of an HKSAR passport will be accepted only in justifiable circumstances, and no priority will normally be granted to pleasure trippers.
HKSAR passport application forms and information on application procedures and documents required are available at Immigration Headquarters and all Immigration branch offices. For enquiries, please visit the website at www.immd.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department at 2824 6111; fax 2877 7711.
Ends/Thursday, January 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:53
NNNN
