************************************************************
The Immigration Department will extend its appointment booking service to collection of travel documents from tomorrow (November 30). At the same time, Internet submission of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport applications will also be extended to eligible applicants aged between 11 and 17 who hold valid permanent identity cards.
"The extension of the appointment booking service aims to shorten the applicants' waiting time for collecting their new or replacement HKSAR passport and Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I). Applicants applying for a travel document are required to choose a collection office upon submission of their application. These offices include the Travel Document (Issue) Section at Immigration Headquarters and six Immigration Branch Offices (IBOs), but exclude the Registration of Persons - Kowloon Office", a department spokesman said.
On the day following the date of issue of the Collection Notice notifying the period and office for collecting the HKSAR passport or Doc/I, applicants may make an appointment through the website (www.gov.hk/tdbooking) or the 24-hour appointment booking hotline (852) 2598 0888 to choose a time-slot from Monday to Friday (except public holiday) to collect the travel document. The appointment booking service is free of charge.
With effect from tomorrow, apart from the six IBOs, the appointment booking service for applying for HKSAR passports will also be extended to cover the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section at the Immigration Headquarters. Applicants may make an appointment through the website (www.gov.hk/tdbooking) or the 24-hour appointment booking hotline (852) 2598 0888.
Other than submitting an application for a HKSAR passport in person at the Immigration Headquarters and six IBOs, eligible applicants may submit their application by post or via the drop-in box, through the website (www.gov.hk/passport) or via self-service kiosks installed at the Immigration Headquarters and the six IBOs.
Also from tomorrow, apart from the six IBOs, the appointment booking service for extension of stay will be extended to the Extension Section (except visitors), Foreign Domestic Helpers Section and Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section (except persons admitted into the HKSAR under training or the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme) at the Immigration Headquarters. The first appointment date available for booking is December 14. Applicants may make the appointment through the website (www.gov.hk/esbooking) or the 24-hour appointment booking hotline at (852) 2598 0888. After making the appointment, an applicant may change or cancel the appointment at any time up to one day before the appointment date.
From tomorrow, applicants who have submitted applications relating to Hong Kong visas, entry permits or verification of eligibility for permanent identity card can enquire about the application status, if required, through the website (www.gov.hk/immdstatusenquiry) or the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.
The 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 their travel documents well in advance of their trips. The enhanced services will shorten their waiting time at our offices so that people can make better use of their valuable time to enjoy a quality life", he said. Those who have not made an appointment booking will be served in accordance with the walk-in quota system.
For details and 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.
Ends/Sunday, November 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:00
NNNN
