Details of fourth cycle of Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise
15.7.2021

The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (July 15) that the fourth cycle of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) will commence on September 20, 2021. The Secretary for Security has made an Amendment Order to announce the call-up programme of the fourth cycle of the Replacement Exercise. The details are as follows: Eligible persons Application period Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1977, 1978 or 1979 September 20 - November 18, 2021 Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1980, 1981 or 1982 November 19, 2021 - January 18, 2022 Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1983, 1984, 1987 or 1988 January 19 - April 2, 2022 The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 21, 2021, for negative vetting. Moreover, the ImmD spokesman reminded the public that children born in 2005 to 2007 or 2012 to 2018 and holding the old form of smart identity cards (i.e. identity cards with date of issue on or before November 24, 2018) should apply for new smart identity cards in the company of either one of their parents or legal guardians at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) on or before September 18, 2021 (Saturday). For details of the replacement arrangements for children holding the old form of smart identity cards, please refer to Annex II. Please note that children born between 2012 and 2018 who have never held a permanent identity card in connection with their applications for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, or is already holding a new smart identity card, are not required to participate in the Replacement Exercise. The Replacement Exercise covers all Hong Kong residents, including permanent residents; and non-permanent residents for employment (including foreign domestic helpers), investment, residence or study. If eligible Hong Kong residents are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up periods, they need not rush back to Hong Kong to replace their identity cards. They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong. To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to applicants to make appointment bookings via the ImmD mobile application, the Internet ( www.gov.hk/newicbooking ), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. To download the mobile application or to make an appointment booking via the Internet, please scan the QR codes at Annex III. The ImmD also appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointment bookings through the mobile application or the Internet in order to enjoy faster identity card replacement service. Applicants need to bring along their old form of smart identity cards when they proceed to the SIDCCs. For this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD also implements a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two persons with disabilities, in addition to two family members or friends aged 65 or above, to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC. For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.