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A spokesman for the Immigration Department said, "The Smart Identity (ID) Card Replacement Exercise has been in place since August, 2003, whereby Hong Kong residents are required to apply for a smart ID card during the specified call-up periods. Old ID cards will be declared invalid by phases."
Old ID cards issued before June 23, 2003, and bearing the year of birth specified below shall cease to be valid on October 16, 2006:
Year of birth
1958/1959
1960/1961/1962/1963/1964/1965/1966/1967/1968/1969
"Most of the residents of these age groups had replaced their ID cards during the specified call-up periods. Those who have not yet replaced their ID cards should apply at any of the Smart ID Card Centres immediately.
Holders of old Hong Kong ID cards who cannot have their ID 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.
The invalidation of old ID 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, Cap. 115, Laws of Hong Kong.
For further information about the Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise, please visit www.smartid.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline on 2824 6111.
Ends/Thursday, July 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 08:47
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