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Public Services
Special Arrangement in times of Tropical Cyclones and Rainstorms
Provision of Service
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or Higher
- If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher is issued outside
of office hours, services at the following offices will be suspended while
the warning signal is in force:
- All public offices at Immigration Headquarters
- Births, Deaths and Marriage Registries
- Immigration Branch Offices
- Registration of Persons Offices
- If the warning signal No. 8 (or higher) is issued during office hours, the services will continue until all attending public present have been served.
- In general, the services will be resumed in 2 hours after the warning signal No. 8 is lowered or cancelled. In case the warning signal is lowered or cancelled within 2 hours before the close of business, services will remain suspended for that day.
- If the service resumption is anticipated to fall within the lunch break (if applicable) of the Immigration Branch Offices, Registration of Persons Offices and Births, Deaths and Marriage Registries, the services will be resumed at 2:00 pm.
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal
- If Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued outside of office hours, the services will be suspended while the warning is in force. If the warning signal is subsequently cancelled, the same service resumption arrangement for Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher as stated above will be adopted.
- If the warning signal is issued during office hours, the services will continue until the close of business.
Please click here for the office address and working hours.
Please refer to the public announcements through radio and television for the latest information on the provision of immigration services when the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force.
Frequently Asked Questions in relation to the Special Arrangement in times of Severe Weather Condition
Resumption of Services in Offices / Registries
Q1.
When will the offices resume services after
the lowering or cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal
No. 8 (or higher) or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal?
(A1)
In general, the services will be resumed in 2 hours after the Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to
No. 3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled.
In case the warning signal is lowered or cancelled within 2 hours
before the close of business, services will remain suspended for that
day.
If the service resumption is anticipated to fall within the lunch
break (if applicable) of Immigration Branch Offices, Registration
of Persons Offices and Births, Deaths and Marriage Registries, the
services will be resumed at 2:00 pm.
Online or Telephone Appointment Booking at Immigration Branch Offices, Registration
of Persons Offices or Births / Deaths / Marriage Registries
Q2.
What should I do if I have already made an
appointment today for an application but the Tropical Cyclone Warning
Signal No. 8 (or higher) or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued?
Do I need to make a fresh appointment for my application?
(A2)
You have to make another appointment. If necessary, after the Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to
No.3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled,
you may approach the relevant office for alternative arrangements,
bringing along the appointment slip (via internet appointment), if
available, or quoting the reference code (via telephone appointment)
for our follow-up actions.
Right of Abode Matters
Q3.
What should I do if I have an appointment
today for document verification related to my application for "Verification
of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card" (VEPIC application), but
the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) or Black Rainstorm
Warning Signal is issued? Do I need to make another appointment?
(A3)
If services of the Right of Abode Section are resumed on the same
day of your appointment after the lowering or cancellation of the
warning signal, you may approach the Section for document verification
purposes. Moreover, you may make an alternative appointment through
the website www.gov.hk/vepic
or the telephone appointment booking hotline 2598 0888.
Q4.
What should I do if I have already made an
appointment for a DNA test related to my VEPIC application? Do I need
to make another appointment?
(A4)
You should contact your case officer during office hours for another
appointment.
Identity Card Services
Q5.
What should I do if the service is suspended
on my collection due day for the Hong Kong identity card?
(A5)
The collection period will last for 1 month. You may collect your
Hong Kong identity card during office hours within the collection
period. If today is the last day of the collection period, you may
approach the office concerned to collect your identity card on the
following working day after the lowering or cancellation of the Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) or the Black Rainstorm Warning
Signal.
Travel Documents Services
Q6.
What should I do if the service is suspended
on my collection due day for HKSAR passport or Document of Identity
for Visa Purposes?
(A6)
The collection period will last for 2 months. You may collect your
HKSAR passport or Document of Identity for Visa Purposes during office
hours within the collection period. If today is the last day of the
collection period, you may approach the office concerned to collect
your document on the following working day after the lowering or cancellation
of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 or cancellation of the
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.
Q7.
What should I do if I have already made an
appointment today to collect the HKSAR passport or Document of Identity
but the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) or Black Rainstorm
Warning Signal is issued? Do I need to make a fresh appointment for
my application?
(A7)
You have to make another appointment. If necessary, after the Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to
No.3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled,
you may approach the relevant office for alternative arrangements,
bringing along the appointment slip (via internet appointment), if
available, or quoting the reference code (via telephone appointment)
for our follow-up actions.
Marriage Services
Q8.
What should I do if I cannot solemnize my
marriage as scheduled due to the suspension of marriage services?
(A8)
If the services of the Marriage Registry are resumed, you or your fiancé/fiancée
should contact the concerned Marriage Registry during normal office
hours for rescheduling the date of marriage solemnization.
For example, you should approach our Marriage Registration and Records
Office at Low Block of Queensway Government Offices to make the alternative
booking in case the marriage celebration is scheduled at City Hall
Marriage Registry or Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry.
Please note that if a marriage does not take place within 3 months
from the date of giving of the "notice of intended marriage", another
notice should be given for a fresh appointment for marriage celebration.
Q9.
What should I do as today is the last day
that I may solemnize my marriage within the 3-month period from the
date of giving of the "notice of intended marriage"?
(A9)
If the marriage services are suspended due to the issue of Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, marriages
to be celebrated on the last day of the 3-month period will be postponed
to the next working day, e.g. if the last day falls on 30 April 2013
(Tuesday), the next working day will be 2 May 2013 (Thursday) as 1
May 2013 (Public Holiday) is not counted as a working day. Please
note that if the marriage does not take place within the next working
day, another notice will be required before the parties can contract
a marriage.
Q10.
Because of the issue of warning signal that
I cannot solemnize my marriage and today is the last day of my permitted
stay in Hong Kong, what should I do?
(A10)
You or your fiancé/fiancée should contact the concerned
Marriage Registry during normal office hours after the cancellation
or the lowering of the warning signal to check if another "notice
of intended marriage" should be given for a fresh appointment for
marriage celebration. For extension of stay applications, please refer
to Q18.
Q11.
May I ask a Civil Celebrant of Marriages
("CCM") to solemnize my marriage as the Marriage Registry is closed
today?
(A11)
The CCM must have a Certificate of Registrar of Marriage before solemnization
of a marriage. If you intend to have your marriage celebrated by a
CCM, you should approach the concerned Marriage Registry, during normal
office hours after the lowering of the warning signal, for enquiry
of the formalities.
Q12.
What is the charge if I choose to reschedule
my marriage solemnization to Saturday afternoons or Sundays?
(A12)
The charge for marriage solemnization on Saturday afternoons and
Sundays is $1,935.
Births Registration Services
Q13.
What should I do for the birth registration
of my child as today is the 42nd day after the birth of my child?
(A13)
If the births registration services are suspended on the last day
of the 42-day period due to the issue of Tropical Cyclone Warning
Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, the 42-day period should
include the next working day, e.g. if the last day falls on 30 April
2013 (Tuesday), the next working day will be 2 May 2013 (Thursday)
as 1 May 2013 (Public Holiday) is not counted as a working day.
Q14.
How about the fee?
(A14)
No fee is required for registration if the birth is registered within
42 days from birth. However, the fee for each birth certificate is
$140.
Q15.
Will there be any difference for the birth
registration within or beyond 42 days?
(A15)
There is no difference between birth registrations within or beyond
42 days other than there will be a registration fee of $140 charged
for registration beyond 42 days.
Deaths Registration Services
Q16.
I have an imminent need to apply for Death
Registration of my relative and to remove the deceased’s body outside
Hong Kong. When will the Deaths Registry be opened when the Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) or the Black Rainstorm Warning
Signal is cancelled?
(A16)
As a normal rule, our services will be resumed in 2 hours after the
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or
lowered to No. 3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is
cancelled. The same applies to offices open on Sundays or public holidays
in case the warning signals are issued.
The Births and Deaths General Register Office at Low Block of Queensway
Government Offices will open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Sundays
and public holidays when the Hong Kong Island Deaths Registry and
the Kowloon Deaths Registry are closed on these days.
Visa and Extension of Stay Matters
Q17.
What should I do if the service is suspended
on the day of my interview appointment?
(A17)
You may call the Section concerned on the next working day for arranging
another appointment for interview or approach the Section concerned
direct to follow up the relevant visa applications.
Q18.
What should I do if today is the last day
of my permitted stay in Hong Kong but I cannot attend your offices for
extension of stay applications due to the issue of Tropical Cyclone
Warning Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal?
(A18)
You may approach the Section concerned on the next working day to
apply for extension of stay.
In general, the services will be resumed in 2 hours after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to No. 3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled. In case the warning signal is lowered or cancelled within 2 hours before the close of business, services will remain suspended for that day.
If the service resumption is anticipated to fall within the lunch break (if applicable) of Immigration Branch Offices, Registration of Persons Offices and Births, Deaths and Marriage Registries, the services will be resumed at 2:00 pm.
You have to make another appointment. If necessary, after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to No.3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled, you may approach the relevant office for alternative arrangements, bringing along the appointment slip (via internet appointment), if available, or quoting the reference code (via telephone appointment) for our follow-up actions.
If services of the Right of Abode Section are resumed on the same day of your appointment after the lowering or cancellation of the warning signal, you may approach the Section for document verification purposes. Moreover, you may make an alternative appointment through the website www.gov.hk/vepic or the telephone appointment booking hotline 2598 0888.
You should contact your case officer during office hours for another appointment.
The collection period will last for 1 month. You may collect your Hong Kong identity card during office hours within the collection period. If today is the last day of the collection period, you may approach the office concerned to collect your identity card on the following working day after the lowering or cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.
The collection period will last for 2 months. You may collect your HKSAR passport or Document of Identity for Visa Purposes during office hours within the collection period. If today is the last day of the collection period, you may approach the office concerned to collect your document on the following working day after the lowering or cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 or cancellation of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.
You have to make another appointment. If necessary, after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to No.3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled, you may approach the relevant office for alternative arrangements, bringing along the appointment slip (via internet appointment), if available, or quoting the reference code (via telephone appointment) for our follow-up actions.
If the services of the Marriage Registry are resumed, you or your fiancé/fiancée should contact the concerned Marriage Registry during normal office hours for rescheduling the date of marriage solemnization.
For example, you should approach our Marriage Registration and Records Office at Low Block of Queensway Government Offices to make the alternative booking in case the marriage celebration is scheduled at City Hall Marriage Registry or Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry.
Please note that if a marriage does not take place within 3 months from the date of giving of the "notice of intended marriage", another notice should be given for a fresh appointment for marriage celebration.
If the marriage services are suspended due to the issue of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, marriages to be celebrated on the last day of the 3-month period will be postponed to the next working day, e.g. if the last day falls on 30 April 2013 (Tuesday), the next working day will be 2 May 2013 (Thursday) as 1 May 2013 (Public Holiday) is not counted as a working day. Please note that if the marriage does not take place within the next working day, another notice will be required before the parties can contract a marriage.
You or your fiancé/fiancée should contact the concerned Marriage Registry during normal office hours after the cancellation or the lowering of the warning signal to check if another "notice of intended marriage" should be given for a fresh appointment for marriage celebration. For extension of stay applications, please refer to Q18.
The CCM must have a Certificate of Registrar of Marriage before solemnization of a marriage. If you intend to have your marriage celebrated by a CCM, you should approach the concerned Marriage Registry, during normal office hours after the lowering of the warning signal, for enquiry of the formalities.
The charge for marriage solemnization on Saturday afternoons and Sundays is $1,935.
If the births registration services are suspended on the last day of the 42-day period due to the issue of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, the 42-day period should include the next working day, e.g. if the last day falls on 30 April 2013 (Tuesday), the next working day will be 2 May 2013 (Thursday) as 1 May 2013 (Public Holiday) is not counted as a working day.
No fee is required for registration if the birth is registered within 42 days from birth. However, the fee for each birth certificate is $140.
There is no difference between birth registrations within or beyond 42 days other than there will be a registration fee of $140 charged for registration beyond 42 days.
As a normal rule, our services will be resumed in 2 hours after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (or higher) is cancelled or lowered to No. 3 or below, or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled. The same applies to offices open on Sundays or public holidays in case the warning signals are issued.
The Births and Deaths General Register Office at Low Block of Queensway Government Offices will open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Sundays and public holidays when the Hong Kong Island Deaths Registry and the Kowloon Deaths Registry are closed on these days.
You may call the Section concerned on the next working day for arranging another appointment for interview or approach the Section concerned direct to follow up the relevant visa applications.
You may approach the Section concerned on the next working day to apply for extension of stay.
