IMPACT – HIGH

Hong Kong recently announced the reopening of Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres and a new call up program.

Key points:

  • All Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres at Annex 1 will reopen for full services on May 11.
  • Previously, the Immigration Department suspended the replacement of Hong Kong identity cards at nine Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. In order to help individuals impacted by the suspension to replace their identity cards, the Secretary for Security made the following revisions:
Eligible persons Revised application period
Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards born in 1957, 1958 or 1959 Nov. 16, 2019 – July 27, 2020
Holders of existing Hong Kong  identity cards born in 1960 or 1961, and members of the sixth term of District Councils Feb. 18 – July 27, 2020
Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards born in 1962 or 1963 July 28 – Sept. 22, 2020
Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards born in 1970, 1971 or 1972 Sept. 23 – Dec. 7, 2020
Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards born in 1973 or 1974 Dec. 8, 2020 – Jan. 28, 2021
Holders of existing Hong Kong identity cards born in 1975 or 1976 Jan. 29 – March 19, 2021
  • In the event the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong worsens, officials may move to suspend the replacing of identity cards again. If this is the case, and all nine Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres are not open for 21 days during the period May 11 to July 27, the revised application periods listed in the table will be extended or amended and the Immigration Department will make announcement in advance as far as possible through various channels to inform the public of the latest arrangement.
  • Applicants who have not yet made appointments are to do so using the website, the 24-hour phone booking service at 2121 1234 or by using the Immigration Department’s mobile app.

Additional information: Last week, the Hong Kong Immigration Department announced that it had resumed most public services, with the exception of the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres.

Analysis & Comments: The reopening of the centers and the new call up program will allow many people in Hong Kong to replace their identity cards with greater ease.

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