Smart Card: Cycle 2 Replacement Begins

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) announced on December 15, 2003 details of the second cycle of the Hong Kong Smart Identity (ID) Card Replacement Exercise. 

The arrangements are as follows:
• Holders of existing ID cards born in 1962 or 1963 apply March 15 to May 22, 2004
• Holders of existing ID cards born in 1960 or 1961 apply May 24 to July 24, 2004
• Holders of existing ID cards born in 1958 or 1959 apply July 26 to September 25, 2004

A HKETO spokesman said, “Apart from HKID card holders born in 1968 or 1969 who applied for their HK Smart ID cards between September 15 and November 15, 2003, there are 2 age groups that are required to replace their Smart ID cards in the first cycle.

The application dates for the remaining age groups in the first cycle are as follows:
• Those born in 1966 or 1967 apply November 17, 2003 to January 10, 2004
• Those born in 1964 or 1965 apply January 12 to March 13, 2004

To avoid last-minute rush, eligible applicants should submit their applications with the necessary documents in person at any of the Smart ID Card Centres in Hong Kong as early as possible. 

The ID card replacement exercise covers all holders of existing ID cards residing in or outside Hong Kong, whether they are permanent residents or temporary residents taking up employment, investment, residence, study or working as foreign domestic helpers. 

If cardholders are not in Hong Kong during their application period, they should apply for the new card within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.

For more information about the replacement exercise please click on the Smart Card box on the home page of the HKETO web site at <http://www.hketo.ca> or visit <www.smartid.gov.hk>. The Hong Kong Immigration Department hotline is (852) 2824-6111.

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