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"The Immigration Department will start accepting applications for new Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Electronic Passport (HKSAR e-Passport) and Electronic Document of Identity (e-D/I) from February 5," Acting Director of Immigration, Mr Peh Yun-lu, said today (January 23).
The HKSAR e-Passports and e-D/Is, with enhanced security features, will be issued for applications received on or after that day.
"The HKSAR e-Passports and e-D/Is will contain digital data including the holder's personal data and facial image which will be stored in the contactless chip embedded in the back cover of the travel documents," Mr Peh said, "The holder's personal particulars and photograph will be inscribed onto the polycarbonate bio-data page of an e-Passport or e-D/I by laser engraving technology."
The existing version of HKSAR passports and Documents of Identity will remain valid until their expiry. "But for those who intend to travel abroad during the coming Chinese New Year holiday and do not have an HKSAR passport or D/I, or have one with validity of less than six months, they should apply for a travel document as soon as possible and should not wait until February 5," Mr Peh said.
The first e-passport and e-D/I will be issued on February 22 and requests from pleasure trippers for urgent issue will not be entertained.
People who need to apply for an e-Passport are encouraged to mail in their applications and the photograph should be color with white background. For details of the photograph requirements, please visit www.immd.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline, 2824 6111.
"The time required for processing applications from adults will be shortened from 15 to 10 working days," Mr Peh said.
Application fees for both HKSAR e-Passport and e-D/I remain unchanged. Postal delivery of e-Passports will be launched also on February 5 for in-person applications submitted from that day. The service will be provided by Hong Kong Post.
Ends/Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:20
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