The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (September 22) that Hong Kong residents born in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 or 2000 and holding the old form of smart identity card should bring along their identity cards and apply for new smart identity cards in person at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) from October 7 (Friday) to December 10 (Saturday). The SIDCCs are open from 8am to 10pm and from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays).

     The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) covers all Hong Kong residents, who should apply for new smart identity cards in person at the SIDCCs during specified periods, whether they are permanent residents or non-permanent residents who are permitted to take up employment, make investment, reside or study in Hong Kong.

     To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to applicants to make appointments via the ImmD mobile application, the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. Residents may scan the QR codes in Annex II to download the ImmD mobile application or to make an appointment for identity card replacement via the Internet. The ImmD also appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointments through the mobile application or the Internet for faster identity card replacement service.

     For this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD is also implementing a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two persons with disabilities to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC.

     For Hong Kong residents born in 1992, 1993, 1994 or 1995, their specified period for identity card replacement will end on October 6 (Thursday), while that for residents born in 1954 or before will end on January 14, 2023 (Saturday). The Replacement Exercise will end in early 2023 and those who have not yet applied for a new smart identity card should do so as soon as possible. Eligible Hong Kong residents who cannot have their identity cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to their absence from Hong Kong can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.

     For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.

Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:32

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