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The Smart Identity Card Replacement Exercise had been progressing smoothly since its launch in August, 2003, an Immigration Department spokesman said today (November 30).
Arrangements have been made to declare old identity cards invalid by batches.
Old identity cards issued before June 23, 2003, and bearing the year of birth from 1958 up to and including 1969 have been invalid since October 16, 2006.
"Old identity cards specified below shall lose their validity on January 15, 2007:
Year of birth
1943/ 1944/ 1945/ 1946/ 1947/ 1948/ 1949/
1950/ 1951/ 1952/ 1953/ 1954/ 1955/ 1956/ 1957
Residents who have not yet replaced their identity cards during their specified call-up periods should immediately apply at any of the Smart Identity Card Centres.
Holders of old identity cards who cannot have their identity cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to their absence from Hong Kong should apply within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
Failure to apply for a new identity card within the specified call-up periods without reasonable excuse is an offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and are liable to a fine of $5,000.
The invalidation of old identity cards will not affect the holder's right of abode in Hong Kong unless the holder has lost his permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance, Laws of Hong Kong.
For further information about the Smart Identity Card Replacement Exercise, please visit www.smartid.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline on 2824 6111.
Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 09:30
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