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The Government announced today (January 1) that Immigration Department will start accepting applications for new Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Electronic Passport (HKSAR e-Passport) from February 5, 2007.
The HKSAR e-Passports will be issued for applications received on that day onwards with a view to enhancing document security.
"The application procedures for HKSAR e-passport will remain unchanged, except that applicants will be required to submit colour photos with white background," a Government spokesman said, "the passport fees will remain unchanged upon implementation of the HKSAR e-Passport."
"The existing version of HKSAR passports will remain valid until their expiry," the spokesman added.
In compliance with the standard of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the HKSAR e-Passport contains digital data including holder's personal data and facial image which will be stored in the contactless chip embedded in the back cover of the e-Passport.
"The cover of the HKSAR e-Passport will basically be the same as the existing passport save for the addition of an electronic travel document symbol on the front cover in accordance with the standard of ICAO, signifying that the passport contains a chip while the bio-data page of the e-Passport is made of polycarbonate," the spokesman said.
On the artwork design of the bio-data page, the spokesman noted that Hong KongĄ¯s landmarks - the Tsing Ma Bridge and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, formed the main theme which projects Hong KongĄ¯s image as a cosmopolitan city.
For improved security, the holder's personal particulars and photograph will be engraved onto the e-Passport by laser engraving technology.
Further improvements, mainly security and design related, are made to the new passport booklet. This includes the employment of advanced security features and sophisticated printing techniques which can help counter passport forgeries, illegal migration and other transnational crimes facilitated by passport frauds.
For the issuance of HKSAR e-Passport, a new e-Passport system is being built in the Immigration Department, the spokesman said, the new system utilizes the latest technologies to achieve a paperless working environment and to produce passports with high quality and security.
"To further enhance customer service, the time required for processing applications will be shortened from 15 to 10 working days," the spokesman added.
In addition to the HKSAR e-Passport, the Immigration Department will also start issuing the HKSAR Electronic Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (e-DI) from February 5 when the e-DI issued on and after that date will also contain a contactless chip.
"To avoid any delays, the Immigration Department reminds Hong Kong residents who have plans to travel during the Chinese New Year to check for ample validity of their existing HKSAR passports beforehand and apply for new ones early if necessary," the spokesman said.
"The processing time required for passports applications submitted on or before February 4 is 15 working days," he added.
Ends/Monday, January 1, 2007
Issued at HKT 09:25
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