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Anyone intending to travel abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday is reminded to apply for travel document as early as possible.

"The number of people travelling abroad may greatly increase during this time of the year. In order to avoid last minute rush, people are advised to apply for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports well in advance of their trips," a spokesman for the Immigration Department said today (Tuesday).

Under the present arrangement, applications for HKSAR passports can be submitted to the Immigration Department by post or depositing into the Drop-in boxes installed at the Immigration Headquarters or any immigration branch offices.

The normal processing time for the HKSAR passport is now 15 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and General Holidays) no matter the applicant holds any other travel document.

Up to now, a total of 57 countries have agreed to grant visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders.

"Other than applications for Hong Kong travel documents, applications for identity cards and other Registration of Persons services may also be on high demand during this time of the year.

"To avoid congestion, applicants are also requested to submit their applications well before school/public holidays.

"Furthermore, applicants are encouraged to make use of the Automated Telephone Appointment Booking system which is operating 24 hours a day. The telephone number is 2598 0888," the spokesman added.

Information leaflets on application procedures and documents required are issued together with application forms. They are available at the Immigration Headquarters and all Immigration branch offices.

For enquiries, members of the public may contact the Immigration Department at telephone number 2824 6111, by fax 2877 7711 or through the Internet web site at http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/.

End/Tuesday, January 19, 1999

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