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People born in 1983, 1984 or 1985 and who hold existing identity cards must apply for smart ID cards from today (May 29) to July 8, 2006, under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise.
Today marks the start of Phase 19 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 that the exercise covered all Hong Kong residents. Permanent residents and temporary residents taking up employment, investment, residence, study, or working as foreign domestic helpers, are required to comply with the replacement programme. Employers should release their helpers to apply for the new ID cards. People who were born in 1985 and were issued with smart ID cards upon their registration for adult identity cards at the age of 18 are not required to replace their ID cards again under the Replacement Exercise.
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.
"Since September, 2003, arrangements have been in place for residents born in 1943 through to 1982 to apply for new ID cards 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/Monday, May 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:25
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