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People born in 1976 or 1977 and who hold existing identity cards must apply for smart ID cards from today (December 28) to February 11, 2006, under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise.
Today marks the start of Phase 16 of the Replacement Exercise. Eligible applicants can book an appointment by calling the hotline 1838 333, visiting the ESDlife website at www.esd.gov.hk, or by calling at any ESD kiosk.
If applicants' ID cards bear the "A" or "***" residential symbol, or their ID cards were issued on or after January 1, 1999, and bear the "R" residential symbol, they need only bring their current ID cards. Other eligible applicants should bring their travel documents showing their current residential status in Hong Kong, in addition to their existing ID cards.
A spokesman for the Immigration Department said the Replacement Exercise covered all Hong Kong residents, whether they were permanent residents or temporary residents taking up employment, investment, residence, study or work as foreign domestic helpers. "Employers should release their helpers to apply for the new ID cards," he said.
Failure to apply for a new ID card within the specified period without reasonable excuse is an offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and face a fine of $5,000. Those who are away from Hong Kong during the specified period should apply within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.
"Arrangements have been made for people born in 1943 to 1975 to apply for new ID cards since September 2003 through the Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise," the spokesman said. Most of the eligible applicants of these age groups had replaced their ID cards during their application periods. Those who, for special reasons, had not yet replaced their ID cards, should apply at any of the Smart ID Card Centres immediately.
For further information about the Replacement Exercise, please visit www.smartid.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline, 2824 6111.
Ends/Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 09:25
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