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Hong Kong residents 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 processing time for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport applications would normally take 10 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays) after receipt of all the necessary documents. Applications in respect of children under 11 years old not holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card will normally take 14 working days. As regards applications submitted by post, via drop-in-box or online, the processing might take two to three more working days. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss, damage or change of personal data should be made in person, and the processing time may be longer.
A request for urgent issue of an HKSAR passport will only be entertained in justifiable circumstances. Normally, no priority will be granted to pleasure trippers.
Eligible applicants aged 18 or over may submit HKSAR passport applications at the self-service kiosks at the Immigration Headquarters and the six Immigration branch offices during office hours. Applicants who wish to apply for, or collect travel documents in person, are encouraged to make prior appointments through the internet (www.gov.hk/tdbooking) or the 24-hour hotline (2598 0888).
At present, 143 countries and territories have granted visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders. Some countries require visitors to have a passport with validity of at least six months.
HKSAR passport application forms and information leaflets on application procedures and the requisite documents are available at the Immigration Headquarters and Immigration branch offices. The application forms can also be downloaded from the internet (www.gov.hk/passport). For more details about the applications, please visit the website at www.gov.hk/passport. Enquiries can be made through telephone (2824 6111) or fax (2877 7711).
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:05
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