The following information is extracted from the Immigration Ordinance, Chapter 115, Laws of Hong Kong, which serves to explain to the public the legal requirement of carrying proof of identity and the power of members of Immigration Service to conduct inspection of proof of identity:
- Under section 17B, "proof of identity" in relation to any person includes the following documents:
- his valid identity card;
- a document issued by the Commissioner of Registration acknowledging that that person has applied:
- to be registered under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177); or
- for a new identity card under regulation 13 or 14 of the Registration of Persons Regulations (Cap. 177 sub. leg.);
- a valid travel document held by him; or
- a Vietnamese refugee card issued to him.
- By virtue of section 17C, every person who has attained the age of 15 years and is the holder of an identity card or is required to apply to be registered under the Registration of Persons Ordinance or is the holder of a Vietnamese refugee card shall have with him at all times proof of his identity.
- Immigration officers and Immigration assistants are empowered by section 17C to require a person to produce his proof of identity for inspection. Any person who fails to produce proof of his identity for inspection as required commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 2.
- Details and results of inspection of proof of identity conducted by any immigration officer or immigration assistant will be recorded. The record will be retained for not less than 12 months.
