Move to replace old Hong Kong ID cards kicks in with launch of nine registration centres across city
- Change to be carried out in phases and according to age groups, with police, immigration officials, lawmakers and city leader in first eligible batch
Hongkongers can soon replace their ID cards in a 30-minute procedure at nine centres across the city, with the launch of efforts to complete a transition to new cards with updated security features over the next four years.
Announcing the opening of the centres on Thursday, Chan Tin-Chee, assistant director of personal documentation under the Immigration Department, said the application would take about 30 minutes. “People can collect their new ID card at the collection counters or self-service collection kiosks at the centres after about 10 working days.”
Replacements will be done according to the year of birth for holders. For example, those born in 1985 and 1986 can go to the centres between January 21 and March 30 next year. The available periods for cardholders will be indicated on the department’s website.
Users who miss their window for application can still visit the centres but must give valid reasons. Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, anyone without a reasonable excuse and who fails to apply for a new card within the specified call-up period can be fined up to HK$5,000.
The new cards will come with updated security details such as built-in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and higher resolution photographs to support facial recognition.