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People intending to travel abroad during the Christmas and new year holidays are reminded to apply early for travel documents.
An Immigration Department spokesman said the number of people travelling abroad usually increased at this time of the year. "To avoid a last-minute rush, people are advised to apply for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports well in advance of their trips," he said.
In general, the processing time for an application for a HKSAR passport takes 10 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays) after receipt of all necessary documents, and it takes 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 not submitted in person, i.e. by post, via drop-inbox or online, an extra two to three working days might be required. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss, damage or change of personal data should be made in person and require a longer processing time.
Eligible applicants aged 18 or over may also submit HKSAR passport applications at the self-service kiosks installed at Immigration Headquarters and six Immigration branch offices during office hours.
Requests for urgent issue of a HKSAR passport will be accepted only in justifiable circumstances, and no priority will normally be granted to pleasure trippers.
So far, 136 countries and territories have granted visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders.
HKSAR passport application forms and information leaflets on application procedures and documents required are available at Immigration Headquarters and all Immigration branch offices. The application forms can also be downloaded from the website at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hksarp.htm . For enquiries, please visit the Immigration website www.immd.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department at 2824 6111 or fax your enquiry to 2877 7711.
The number of applications for identity cards and other Registration of Persons services is also expected to be high at this time of the year. To avoid peak days, applicants are advised to submit their applications well before school or public holidays.
Applicants who wish to apply for identity cards are encouraged to make an appointment in advance by visiting the website, www.gov.hk/icbooking, or calling the 24-hour hotline, 2598 0888. In view of the limited appointment quotas, applicants may change or cancel their appointments at least one day before the appointment day if they are not able to attend, so that the reserved time slot can be released for use by other applicants.
Ends/Sunday, November 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:01
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