Before Applying
Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card
Before registering for the issue of a permanent identity card, an applicant will need to show that he/she is eligible to do so under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Cap 177, and the Registration of Persons Regulations, Cap 177A. Hence, the applicant should apply for verification of his/her eligibility for a permanent identity card. He/She must be staying in Hong Kong legally when submitting this application. Under the law, where a person claims that he/she has the right of abode in the HKSAR, the burden of proving the claim shall lie on that person.
A person should not submit the application to verify his/her eligibility if he/she is qualified to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement under section 2AB of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap 115), has not been issued with such a Certificate, and is currently residing in Mainland China. If the person was born outside Hong Kong to a HKSAR permanent resident, is ordinarily residing in Mainland China, and claims to be a permanent resident of the HKSAR under paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance, he/she should establish his/her claim to the right of abode in the HKSAR with a valid Certificate of Entitlement affixed to a valid ‘Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao’ (commonly known as 'One-way Permit').
- Children under the age of 11 with their Hong Kong permanent resident status established as indicated in their Hong Kong birth certificates normally need not apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card. They can apply for a permanent identity card directly when they reach the age of 11.
- Such children, if holding a valid foreign travel document, may apply for an endorsement to be made in their travel document stating their eligibility for a permanent identity card verified for travel convenience. Such applications can be made by submitting an application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card by their parents or guardians.
- If the applicant is required to be registered for a Hong Kong identity card under the Registration of Persons Regulations, he/she should report to a registration officer at the relevant Registration of Persons Office even if he/she has applied for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card.
- If the applicant needs to leave Hong Kong, he/she should hold a valid travel document to avoid any inconvenience or delay upon immigration clearance.
- If the applicant is subject to a limit of stay in the HKSAR, he/she should apply for an extension of stay at the relevant Immigration Office before the expiry of his/her current limit of stay if his/her application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card is not yet finalised.
Applying
Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card
To apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card, the applicant will need to complete the application form, which is available through the following link:
When submitting the application, the applicant will need to include copies of the following documents:
- Hong Kong identity card (if any) and travel document showing the applicant's current condition of stay in Hong Kong; and
- The appropriate documentary proof in support of the applicant's claim to the status of a permanent resident of the HKSAR:
| Claim by virtue of being a | Copies of documentary proof required |
|---|---|
| (a) Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong |
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| (b) Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years |
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| (c) Chinese citizen born outside Hong Kong to a parent listed in (a) or (b) |
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| (d) Non-Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years |
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| (e) Person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a non-Chinese citizen listed in (d) |
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| (f) Person with the right of abode in Hong Kong only before the establishment of the HKSAR |
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| (g) Person who was a permanent resident of Hong Kong before 1 July 1997 |
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The applicant will be notified in writing to give more information, if required.
3. If the applicant is a non-Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years immediately before his/her application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card, he/she is required to provide information and make a declaration that he/she has taken Hong Kong as his/her only place of permanent residence. The applicant's declaration should be made on Form ROP146, to be submitted with the application, which can be accessed through the following link.
Form ROP146: Declaration of Having Taken Hong Kong as Only Place of Permanent Residence
4. If the applicant is aged under 18, the parent or legal guardian's identity card or travel document and proof of relationship with the applicant is also required.
5. Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
By Post
The applicant can submit application form, duly completed and signed together with copies of supporting documents, by post to
Right of Abode Section
Immigration Department
25/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road
Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)
Drop-in
Alternatively, the applicant can deposit his/her application form, duly completed and signed together with copies of supporting documents, into the drop-in boxes provided by the Immigration Department.
Online
The applicant can also use a convenient online service to submit scanned copies of the application form and supporting documents. The following link will provide further information on what to do when preparing to submit an online application, the supporting documents to be included, the file formats for online submission, how to complete the online submission process and where to find out more information about the right of abode in the HKSAR.
Online Application for Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card
After Applying
Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card
After an applicant's eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified, his/her condition of stay in Hong Kong, if any, will be cancelled. If the applicant is aged 11 or over, he/she can attend the Registration of Persons Office to apply for a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Applicants aged under 11 holding valid foreign travel documents may apply for an endorsement to be made in their valid foreign travel documents stating that their eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified.
