Press Release - May 19, 2006

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) today (Friday) announced that holders of existing and valid Hong Kong identity (ID) cards who were born in 1983, 1984 or 1985 are the next batch required to apply for the new smart ID cards between May 29 to July 8, 2006 under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise.

A HKETO spokesman said, �Eligible Hong Kong residents who are in Canada during this period need not to rush back solely for the purpose of applying for the Smart ID cards. If they have missed their turn, they can apply for the new Smart ID card within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.

"Eligible Hong Kong residents are welcome to choose to go back to Hong Kong during the specified period to apply for the new Smart ID cards."

The spokesman said eligible applicants who choose to return to Hong Kong for the ID card replacement, can book an appointment by telephone at (852) 1838 333, or via the ESDlife website: www.esd.gov.hk.

Eligible applicants should submit their applications in person at one of the Smart ID Card Centres which are open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.

If their ID cards bear the 'A' or '3-star' residential symbol, or their ID cards were issued on or after January 1, 1999 and bear the 'R' residential symbol, they only need to bring along their existing ID cards for the applications. Other than the aforesaid categories, eligible applicants should bring along their travel documents showing their current residential status in Hong Kong, in addition to their existing and valid ID cards.

The spokesman also reminded holders of existing and valid ID cards who were born in 1980, 1981 or 1982 to apply for the new smart ID cards on or before May 27, 2006. "Eligible Hong Kong residents who are in Canada and have missed their turn, can apply for the new Smart ID card within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong. They should bring along their existing and valid HKID cards and supporting proofs showing their period of absence from Hong Kong." he added.

For further information on the Hong Kong ID Card Replacement Exercise, please contact the HKETO at (416) 924 5544 or visit the HKETO website: www.hketo.ca, or consult the Hong Kong Immigration Department by phone at (852) 2824 6111 or visit www.smartid.gov.hk.


For more information, please contact: Stephen Siu, Assistant Director (Public Relations) of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416) 924-5544 or email: [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected].

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