Online applications for verification of eligibility for Permanent Identity Card
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     The Immigration Department today (February 27) announced that applicants may now apply for verification of eligibility for permanent identity card (VEPIC) on the Internet.

     Applicants for VEPIC previously had to submit their applications by post or to the drop-in boxes at the Immigration Department.

     A department spokesman pointed out that applicants had to be staying in Hong Kong legally when making the application, regardless of whether the application was submitted by post, drop-in or via the Internet.

     To apply for VEPIC online, an applicant needs to go to the website (www.gov.hk/vepic) and complete the application form online. They should then print out and sign the form, and scan the completed application form together with supporting documents for online submission.

     From today, applicants who have submitted a VEPIC application, and who have been notified by the Immigration Department to submit supplementary documents, can submit such documents online.

     Moreover, applicants can now change or enquire about their scheduled appointments for producing documents for verification either online or by phone to the 24-hour telephone booking system at 2598 0888.

     Information on these online services is available at www.gov.hk/vepic .

Ends/Friday, February 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 00:02

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