Press Release - September 18, 2003
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) today (September 18) once again reminded holders of existing and valid Hong Kong identity cards residing in Canada who were born in 1968 or 1969 to apply for the new Smart ID cards between September 15 to November 15, 2003 under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise.

A spokesman for the HKETO said: �Eligible Hong Kong residents who are in Canada during the call-up 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 applicants, who choose to return to Hong Kong for the ID card replacement, can book an appointment by telephoning (852) 1838 333, or via the ESD life website: www.esd.gov.hk,� the spokesman said.

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

�Only persons born in 1968 or 1969 who are holders of existing and valid ID cards are eligible to apply during the call-up period. Those who do not belong to these age groups should watch for further public announcements,� the spokesman emphasized. �The Smart ID Card Center will only deal with applications arising from the ID Card Replacement Exercise. Applications not related to the exercise will continue to be dealt with at the Registration of Persons Offices.�

The spokesman also took the opportunity to respond to enquiries about the definition of existing and valid Hong Kong ID card.

�The HKETO has received further information from the Hong Kong Immigration Department that the existing and valid Hong Kong ID cards are those currently in use in Hong Kong which were issued between July 1, 1987 and June 22, 2003,� the spokesman said.

�Those HKID cards issued before July 1, 1987 are not valid documents that are currently in use in Hong Kong. Holders need to apply for verification of eligibility for the permanent identify card at the Right of Abode Section of the Immigration Department, 25/F, Immigration Tower, 7, Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong before he proceeds to register for the issue of a Hong Kong permanent identity card.�

�Application should be made in the specified application form (ROP 145) together with photostat copies of supporting documents by post. It can also be submitted to the Receiving and Despatching Centres of Immigration Department Headquarters, at Immigration Tower, Gloucester Road, Wanchai. When making the application, the applicant must be staying in Hong Kong legally.�

Supporting documents include Hong Kong birth certificate, HKID, proofs of previous residence in Hong Kong (such as employment proofs, school documents, bank statements, tax returns and rental receipts, travel documents etc.) For minor applicants, copies of parents� ID card and marriage certificate are essential documents to be submitted.

�In general, it takes about six weeks to process an application. But it may vary depending on the complexity and the number of applications received in a particular time,� the spokesman added.

Enquiries about the verification of eligibility for the Hong Kong permanent identity card can be directed to the Hong Kong Immigration Department�s ROA enquiry hotline: (852) 2824 4055, by fax at (852) 2598 8388 or through e-mail at [email protected]. Further information is also available at website: www.immd.gov.hk.

For further information on the Hong Kong ID Card Replacement Exercise, please contact the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) at (416) 924 5544 or visit the HKETO website: www.hketo.ca, or consult the HKSAR Immigration Department by phone at (852) 2824 6111, by fax at (852) 2877 7711 or through the internet at www.smartid.gov.hk.