15 July 2021
The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (July 15) that the fourth cycle of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) will commence on September 20, 2021.
The Secretary for Security has made an Amendment Order to announce the call-up programme of the fourth cycle of the Replacement Exercise. The details are as follows:
| Eligible persons | Application period |
|---|---|
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1977, 1978 or 1979 | September 20 - November 18, 2021 |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1980, 1981 or 1982 | November 19, 2021 - January 18, 2022 |
| Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1983, 1984, 1987 or 1988 | January 19 - April 2, 2022 |
The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 21, 2021, for negative vetting.
Moreover, the ImmD spokesman reminded the public that children born in 2005 to 2007 or 2012 to 2018 and holding the old form of smart identity cards (i.e. identity cards with date of issue on or before November 24, 2018) should apply for new smart identity cards in the company of either one of their parents or legal guardians at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) on or before September 18, 2021 (Saturday). For details of the replacement arrangements for children holding the old form of smart identity cards, please refer to Annex II. Please note that children born between 2012 and 2018 who have never held a permanent identity card in connection with their applications for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, or is already holding a new smart identity card, are not required to participate in the Replacement Exercise.
The Replacement Exercise covers all Hong Kong residents, including permanent residents; and non-permanent residents for employment (including foreign domestic helpers), investment, residence or study. If eligible Hong Kong residents are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up periods, they need not rush back to Hong Kong to replace their identity cards. They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.
To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to applicants to make appointment bookings via the ImmD mobile application, the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. To download the mobile application or to make an appointment booking via the Internet, please scan the QR codes at Annex III. The ImmD also appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointment bookings through the mobile application or the Internet in order to enjoy faster identity card replacement service. Applicants need to bring along their old form of smart identity cards when they proceed to the SIDCCs.
For this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD also implements a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two persons with disabilities, in addition to two family members or friends aged 65 or above, to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC.
For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.
Annex I
Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres
All replacement centres are open from 8 am to 10 pm, Mondays to Saturdays (except public holidays). Their addresses are as follows:
| Replacement Centres | Addresses |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Room 200, 2/F, Shui On Centre, 6–8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai |
| East Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Unit 1, 2/F, Manulife Financial Centre and Unit 1B, 3/F, Manulife Financial Centre, Tower A, 223–231 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong |
| West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | 12/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok |
| Tsuen Wan Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop S201, 2/F, Smartland, 50 Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan |
| Sha Tin Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop G26, G/F & Shop 123, 1/F, Kings Wing Plaza 1, 3 On Kwan Street, Sha Tin |
| Sheung Shui Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | 7/F, Spot, 48 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui |
| Tuen Mun Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop L414B, Level 4, Leung King Plaza, Leung King Estate, 31 Tin King Road, Tuen Mun |
| Yuen Long Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop 50, G/F, Manhattan Plaza, 23 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long |
| Tseung Kwan O Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop 20-26, G/F, Corinthia By The Sea, 23 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung |
Annex II
Replacement arrangements for children holding old form of smart identity cards
(i.e. identity cards with date of issue on or before November 24, 2018)
Children born in any year between 2005 and 2007 (aged 14 to 16) or between 2012 and 2018 (aged 3 to 9), and holding the old form of smart identity cards are required to apply for a new smart identity card in the company of either one of their parents or legal guardians at an SIDCC from May 3 to September 18, 2021. However, a child who has never applied for a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKIC) or is holding a new smart identity card is not required to replace his/her identity card according to the above arrangement.
Upon replacement of smart identity card of the concerned child, parents or legal guardians shall bring along relevant documentation of the child and his/her proof of identity. The details are as follows:
Supporting documents to take with you
For children born in any year between 2005 and 2007 (aged 14 to 16), when applying for a new smart identity card at the SIDCCs, they should:
- Bring along their old form of smart identity card; and
- He/she must be accompanied by his/her father/mother or the legal guardian aged 18 or above. The accompanying father/mother or the legal guardian should produce his/her proof of identity (e.g. identity card or other valid travel document). If the applicant is accompanied by a legal guardian, the legal guardian should also produce proof of the guardianship.
For children born in any year between 2012 and 2018 (aged 3 to 9), when applying for a new smart identity card at the SIDCCs, they should:
- Bring along their old form of smart identity card;
- He/she must be accompanied by his/her father/mother or the legal guardian aged 18 or above. The accompanying father/mother or the legal guardian should produce his/her proof of identity (e.g. identity card or other valid travel document). If the applicant is accompanied by a legal guardian, the legal guardian should also produce proof of the guardianship; and
- The accompanying father/mother or the legal guardian should also produce:
- Original of the applicant's other proof of identity (e.g. passport or other valid travel document) or a recent school document with applicant's certified photograph (e.g. student handbook or school record book); and
- If the applicant is not taller than 90 cm, the applicant's recent full-face photo of size (50 X 40) mm should also be produced.
Remarks:
- Under the existing legislation, Hong Kong residents under the age of 11 are not required to register for an HKIC. Therefore, Hong Kong residents born in 2012 or after are not required to participate in the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise unless they are holding a Permanent Hong Kong Identity Card in connection with their applications for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport.
- For HKIC holders born in 2008 to 2011 or 2001 to 2004, as they will reach the age of 11 or 18 respectively during the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (i.e. from 2019 to 2022), these HKIC holders are required to apply for a juvenile or adult HKIC at any Registration of Persons Office within 30 days following their 11th or 18th birthday respectively, and they are not required to apply for identity card replacement under the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise. Please visit the website www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/person-registration.html for details of the addresses and working hours of the Registration of Persons Offices.
- Nine SIDCCs will only process replacement applications for the new smart identity card from the old form of smart identity card. Therefore, applications for adult or juvenile identity card upon attaining the age of 11 or 18 respectively; or replacement of identity card due to loss, destruction, damage or defacement; or amendment of registered particulars on identity card; or identity card applications from new arrivals are processed by the Registration of Persons Offices. Please visit the website www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/bookregidcard.htm for details regarding these applications.
Annex III
ImmD Mobile Application
Online Appointment Booking for Replacement of Identity Cards
(Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise)
