The following can only be a brief introduction of the legal subject concerned. Before you take any action which may have legal consequence, you should first seek advice from your own lawyer or make an appointment at any District Office to see a volunteer lawyer of the Free Legal Advice Scheme.




(805) WHO IS ENTITLED AND WHEN TO APPLY FOR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD

Voice

There are two types of identity cards. First is the Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong; second is the Hong Kong Identity Card which does not state that right.

Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, every person aged 11 or over is required to register for an identity card. However, certain categories of persons are exempted from registration. They include: -

• Bona fide travellers in transit through Hong Kong or persons who have been permitted to stay for not more than 180 days;
• The aged, the blind and the infirm who have been exempted from registering for an identity card by the Commissioner of Registration;
• Children aged under 11 of consuls, consular staff and the Head and members of the Office of the Commission of the European Communities in Hong Kong; and
• Children aged under 11 (except for Hong Kong permanent residents who need to apply for permanent identity cards in connection with their applications for HKSAR passports), etc.

If you do not belong to any of the above categories of persons, you must apply to register within 30 days of arrival or within 30 days after your 11th birthday.

You can make your application at the nearest Registration of Persons Office. New arrivals from the Mainland of China holding One-way Exit Permits must have their first registration for Hong Kong identity cards at the Registration of Persons - Kowloon Office. Workers arrived in Hong Kong under the Supplementary Labour Scheme must register their identity cards at the Registration of Persons - Kwun Tong Office.

Date of amendment: 22nd February 2013