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Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards who were born in 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 or 1937 are required to apply for smart identity cards from December 27, 2006, to February 10, 2007, at a Smart Identity Card Centre.
An Immigration Department spokesman today (December 20) urged people born in these years to make use of the appointment booking service.
"Since the quota for walk-in applicants is limited, some of them might not be able to receive the service on the day they attend the Smart Identity Card Centres because of the quota being filled. The elderly, their families or friends are strongly urged to book an appointment in advance by calling the round-the-clock hotline 1838 333 or visiting the ESDlife website at www.esd.gov.hk so that the applicants can apply for the new identity cards at their preferred time slot," the spokesman said.
"Our experience tells that the first two weeks of the call-up period is the peak period for applications and the quota is usually full. Since the specified call-up period for the above age group lasts for nearly seven weeks, applicants may also choose to apply on a later date of the call-up period to save queuing time," the spokesman said. "As the working hours of the Smart Identity Card Centres are extended from 8am to 9.15pm on Monday to Saturday (except Sunday and public holidays), applicants may choose to attend the Smart Identity Card Centres in the late afternoon or at night which are the non-peak hours."
The aged, blind or infirm who consider that complying with the call-up order will injure their health may apply in writing to the Commissioner of Registration for a Certificate of Exemption. Any person who is issued with a Certificate of Exemption need not apply for a smart Identity card under the Replacement Exercise. The holder of a Certificate of Exemption may at any time apply for a smart identity card, free of charge, at any of the Registration of Persons Offices when his/her health condition permits.
For further information about the Replacement Exercise or applications for the Certificate of Exemption, please visit www.smartid.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline, 2824 6111.
Ends/Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:43
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