The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise has ended and all Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres have ceased to operate. Besides, the On-site Identity Card Replacement Service has also concluded.
Old form of smart identity cards issued before 26 November 2018 becomes invalid in two phases in 2025. Phase I of the invalidation exercise covers holders of old form of smart identity cards born in 1970 or after whose old cards have become invalid on 12 May 2025. Phase II of the invalidation exercise covers holders of old form of smart identity cards born in 1969 or before whose old cards have also become invalid on 12 October 2025.
The invalidation of old ID cards will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders of old ID cards unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.
Invalid identity cards will not be accepted for any immigration purposes, for example, for applications and immigration clearance.
For entry into and exit from Hong Kong, an invalid identity card holder will need to produce a valid travel document for immigration clearance and an invalid identity card will be not accepted. If an invalid identity card is presented for arrival clearance, the invalid identity card has to be surrendered and the holder of the invalid identity card will be ordered to apply for a new identity card within a specified period as the case may be.
If an invalid identity card holder submits an application to the Immigration Department, the invalid identity card has to be surrendered and the holder of the invalid identity card will be ordered to apply for a new identity card within a specified period as the case may be. Subject to the relevant application requirements, the invalid identity card holder may make the application with a valid proof of identity, such as a valid travel document. However, if it is provided under the law the applicant is required to hold a valid identity card, for example, applicant for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport must hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card upon application for and collection of a new passport, the invalid identity card holder must apply for a new identity card first.
The template of old form of smart identity card is as follows:
Persons still holding the old form of smart identity card should make appointment at any Registration of Persons (ROP) Office for replacement of an identity card.
You may refer to the following link for the service hours and scope of services at ROP Offices.
Registration of Persons Offices
Those who are unable to have their identity cards replaced during the specified call-up periods under the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise due to being absent from Hong Kong, they should replace their identity cards within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.
Those who have made an application at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) on or before 3 March 2023 and yet to collect their new smart identity cards are required to collect their identity cards at a ROP Office. For detail arrangement, please refer to:
Collection Arrangement of New Smart Identity Cards after the closure of SIDCCs
Call-up Programme
Call-up Programme (Lapsed --- for reference only)
