All Hong Kong Residents Are Urged to Change to the Smart Identity Card
Ever since 2018, Hong Kong has issued a new smart identity card for its all of its residents including permanent residents, workers and students requiring a visa. While all of its residents are aware of such exercise, the Hong Kong government has yet to urge everyone to replace their identity cards at one go. The replacement to the new smart identity cards is being implemented in batches. All of Hong Kong residents must help in curbing fraud and identity thefts. Thus, Hong Kong issues new smart identity card for the benefit of everyone.
In Batches
The most recent batch urged to replace their identity cards are people born in 1970, 1971, and 1972. People born in these years are required to apply beginning from Monday, 2nd November 2020 until Friday, 30th April 2021. They must apply for the new smart identity card in person at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC). The territory-wide identity card replacement exercise covers all Hong Kong residents during specified periods. It includes permanent residents, non-permanent residents who are either investing, employed or studying in Hong Kong.
Make an Appointment
As the exercise requires an individual to be present in person, eligible applicants should make an appointment booking first. They can do so using the IMMD mobile application or through the website www.gov.hk/newicbooking. For those preferring the mobile application, it is downloadable from the IMMD website as well as the AppStore or GooglePlay. To enjoy a quicker service, applicants can pre-fill in the application form when booking for an appointment. You will never know how many have chosen the same booking slot as yours. If using the Internet is a limitation, the IMMD also has a 24-hour telephone booking hotline residents can call to make an appointment.
How to Make an Appointment
Whether you are making an appointment via mobile application or the website, you would have to enter your Hong Kong identity card number as the identity document number. You would also need to input your birthday details as well. After which, you may select your appointment for the next 24 working days (Mondays to Saturdays, except public holidays). Your booking will be based on the availability quota of each SIDCC. When you have successfully booked an appointment, choose to receive an appointment reminder. The reminder will be sent to the email address you provide two days before the appointment day. Should you want to change the email address or cancel the reminder, please do so three days in advance. If you cannot attend to your appointment under unforeseen circumstances, kindly change it or cancel it at least one day in advance. If you have entered the wrong information while making an appointment, the system will delete your appointment without further notice.
Caring System
This time around, the IMMD is allowing an individual to bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 years old or above. The individual can also bring along two qualified individuals with disabilities to replace their identity cards. Thus, when making an appointment, an individual may book up to five appointments, including themselves. The applicants should visit the SIDCC together on the same day for easier processing. For all residents urged to replace their identity cards, you only have to bring the old smart identity card with you.
