The government launched a new version of the smart identity card in November 2018 for citizens to renew in batches, but it is estimated that there are still 182,000 people who have not renewed their cards. The Immigration Department announced on the 18th that the old cards of those born in 1970 or later will expire starting from May 12th next year, and for those born in 1969 or earlier, their old cards will expire starting from October 12th next year.
Deputy Director of Immigration, Tai Chi-yuen, held a press conference today and stated that the renewal plan was originally scheduled to end in October 2022, but many citizens were unable to renew their cards due to being overseas during the pandemic. As a result, the Immigration Department extended the program until March 3rd last year. At the end of the program, the renewal rate was approximately 85%; in the last renewal program that started in 2003, the renewal rate was about 92%.
Tai Chi-yuen continued to point out that after the renewal program ended last year, many citizens returned to Hong Kong from overseas to renew their cards due to the controlled pandemic situation and return to normalcy in society. The Immigration Department extended the operating hours of four card replacement offices until 10 p.m.; from April last year, the appointment days for card replacement were extended from 24 working days to 96 working days; and starting from November last year, a temporary card replacement office was set up in Kwun Tong.
As of May 31st this year, the renewal rate has reached ninety percent. Based on the data from the last renewal program, there are still 182,000 people who have not renewed their cards and will need to renew them. The department believes that it is now time to announce the arrangements for the expiration of old cards to deter and investigate illegal use of old cards and impostors, as well as individuals holding forged identity cards.
Tai Chi-yuen announced that the old smart identity cards will expire in two phases. The first phase is for those born in 1970 or later, whose old cards will expire starting from May 12th next year; the second phase is for those born in 1969 or earlier, whose old cards will expire starting from October 12th next year.
He believes that most of the people who have not renewed their cards are currently overseas and he urges them to renew their cards as soon as possible. He also mentioned that even if the old identity card expires, it will not affect the right of abode, but those who have not renewed their cards will not be able to process immigration procedures with the old card and will only be able to enter or exit using valid travel documents such as passports. Immigration officers will confiscate the old identity cards when these individuals enter the country and require them to replace the cards within 30 days of arrival. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to HK$25,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Additionally, the expired old identity cards cannot be used to apply for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport or other travel documents in Hong Kong. Other government departments or public and private institutions may also refer to the government’s arrangements regarding the expiration of old cards to make corresponding arrangements.