Press Release - November 10, 2003

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) today (November 10) once again reminded holders of existing and valid Hong Kong identity cards born in 1968 or 1969 that September 15 to November 15, 2003 is the period for their age group to apply for Hong Kong smart ID cards.

A HKETO spokesman said, �Eligible Hong Kong residents who are in Canada 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.�

The spokesman said that eligible applicants who are in Canada and choose to return to Hong Kong for the ID card replacement before November 15 should submit their applications in person at any one of the Smart ID Card Centres immediately.

�Before they return to Hong Kong, they can book an appointment by telephone at (852) 1838 333, or via the ESDlife website: www.esd.gov.hk,� he added.

Eligible applicants whose ID cards bear the "A" or "three-star" residential symbol; or were issued on or after January 1, 1999 and bear the "R" residential symbol, only need to bring along their existing ID cards when they apply. Eligible applicants not belonging to the above categories should bring along their travel documents showing their current residential status in Hong Kong, in addition to their existing ID cards.

The spokesman also reminded that holders of existing and valid Hong Kong identity cards born in 1966 or 1967 are the second batch required to apply for the new Smart ID cards between November 17, 20003 and January 10, 2004 under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise.

�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:
John Tam, Chief Information Officer of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416) 924-5544 or email: [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected].