The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise has entered its final stage. All eligible holders of the old form of smart identity cards (i.e. identity cards with an issue date between June 23, 2003, and November 24, 2018) have been called up for identity card replacement.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) today (October 31) reminded members of the public who have missed their specified call-up periods and have not yet replaced their new smart identity card to bring along their identity cards and apply for one in person at any one of the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) (see Annex I) as soon as possible.

     The ImmD 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. The SIDCCs are open from 8am to 10pm and from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays).

     The 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 this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD is also implementing a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two persons with disabilities to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC.

     For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.

Ends/Monday, October 31, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:05

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