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').
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:
| Claim by virtue of being a | Copies of documentary proof required |
| (a) Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong | |
| (b) Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years | |
| (c) Chinese citizen born outside Hong Kong to a parent listed in (a) or (b) | |
| (d) Non-Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years | |
| (e) Person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a non-Chinese citizen listed in (d) | |
| (f) Person with the right of abode in Hong Kong only before the establishment of the HKSAR | |
| (g) Person who was a permanent resident of Hong Kong before 1 July 1997 |
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 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.
This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons residing outside Hong Kong who claim to be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 115) and apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the HKSAR.
Applicants will be eligible to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement if they are of Chinese nationality and were born outside Hong Kong to a parent who, at the time of their birth, was:
Under normal circumstances, ninety five percent of applications will be finalised within 3 months upon receipt of all necessary documents. However, this standard does not apply to applications involving doubtful claims of parent/child relationships or doubtful information and also depends on the number of applications received at the time.
Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement through the office of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau where their household registration is kept.
Application Form
Applicants need to obtain an application form from the public security offices in the Mainland where their household registration is kept.
Supporting Documents
In general, the following documents are required:
Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their application. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link.
ID947: Information Leaflet on Genetic Test Arrangements for Verification of Parentage
Application Submission
Applicants should submit completed application form and supporting documents to the office of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau or department of the Bureau of the Exit-Entry Administration where their household registration is kept. The Public Security Office concerned will verify the relevant information in the application and then refer the case to the Immigration Department for verification.
Further Information
More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link.
Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement from overseas countries only if they are residing there.
Application Form
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The application form (ID881) is available through the following link. If applicants are under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please complete the form in English or Chinese, in black or blue ink. |
Form ID881: Application for Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the HKSAR
Supporting Documents
|
In general, the following documents are required: Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their applications. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link. ID947: Information Leaflet on Genetic Test Arrangements for Verification of Parentage |
Photograph
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Applicants need to affix one recent photograph of themselves to the box marked on the first page of the application form. The size of the photograph must not be larger than 55mm x 45mm and not smaller than 50mm x 40mm. The photograph should be taken full face and without a hat. |
Application Submission
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Applicants residing overseas should submit the completed application form and supporting documents through the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in the country or territory where they are residing, or by post to the Immigration Department at the following address. Certificate of Entitlement Section 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) |
Further Information
|
More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link. |
Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement in the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) or Taiwan only if they are residing there.
Application Form
The application form (ID881) is available through the following link. If applicants are under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please complete the form in English or Chinese, in black or blue ink.
Form ID881: Application for Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the HKSAR
Supporting Documents
In general, the following documents are required:
Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their applications. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link.
ID947: Information Leaflet on Genetic Test Arrangements for Verification of Parentage
Photograph
Applicants need to affix one recent photograph of themselves to the box marked on the first page of the application form. The size of the photograph must not be larger than 55mm x 45mm and not smaller than 50mm x 40mm. The photograph should be taken full face and without a hat.
Application Submission
|
Applicants residing in the Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan should submit their applications by post to the Immigration Department at the following address. Certificate of Entitlement Section 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) |
Further Information
|
More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link. |
|
Under normal circumstances, ninety five percent of applications will be finalised within 3 months upon receipt of all necessary documents. However, this standard does not apply to applications involving doubtful claims of parent-child relationships or doubtful information. The number of applications received at the time could also lengthen the processing period. |
Application for a Certificate of Entitlement is free of charge.
Issuance of the Certificate
After verification, the Immigration Department will issue a Certification of Entitlement for eligible applicants. The Certificate of Entitlement will be sent to the Public Security Office concerned to be passed on to the applicant. To ensure that the applicant can settle in Hong Kong in a lawful and orderly manner, the Bureau of Exit-Entry Administration will issue the applicant with a One-way Permit at the same time.
The Certificate of Entitlement will be affixed to the One-way Permit, and both documents will have to be produced for inspection at the immigration control point where the applicants pass through when leaving the Mainland and entering Hong Kong for settlement.
Arrangement will be made with successful applicants or their local referee to collect in person.
Application for a Certificate of Entitlement is free of charge.