26 January 2023
Given that a number of members of the public have returned to Hong Kong for identity card replacement recently, the Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (January 26) that the last application date for replacement of new smart identity cards at the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) (see Annex I) will be extended from the original date, February 11, 2023, to March 3, 2023, while the identity card collection service will be maintained through to March 3, 2023. Starting from tomorrow (January 27), members of the public may make appointments for identity card replacement for February 11, 2023, onwards.
The SIDCCs will cease to operate starting from March 4, 2023. Eligible members of the public who have yet to apply for or collect a new smart identity card on or before March 3, 2023, should do so at a Registration of Persons Office. Relevant details and appointment arrangement will be announced in due course.
In addition, Hong Kong residents who are unable to have their identity cards replaced on or before March 3, 2023, due to absence from Hong Kong can apply at a Registration of Persons Office within 30 days upon their future return to Hong Kong and need not rush back to Hong Kong for identity card replacement. If they return to Hong Kong and stay in Hong Kong for less than 30 days, they would not violate the relevant law for not having their identity cards replaced during that time.
For Hong Kong residents reaching the age of 11 or 18, they should register for an identity card within 30 days following his/her 11th or 18th birthday at a Registration of Persons Office. If the relevant persons are absent from Hong Kong, they need not rush back to Hong Kong. They can also apply at a Registration of Persons Office within 30 days of their future return to Hong Kong.
The On-site Identity Card Replacement Service would not be affected by the cessation of operation at the SIDCCs. Immigration officers will continue to visit eligible residential care homes to provide on-site identity card replacement service and delivery service of new smart identity card for all eligible residents who have yet to replace their identity cards.
For smoother identity card replacement service, applicants can make appointments via the ImmD Mobile Application, the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. Residents may scan the QR codes in Annex II to download the ImmD Mobile Application or make an appointment for identity card replacement via the Internet. The ImmD appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointments through the mobile application or the Internet for faster identity card replacement service.
For details of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.
Annex I
Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs)
All SIDCCs are open from 8 am to 10 pm, Mondays to Saturdays (except public holidays). Their addresses are as follows:
| SIDCCs | Addresses |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Room 200, 2/F, Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai |
| East Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Unit 1, 2/F, Manulife Financial Centre (registration service) and Unit 1B, 3/F, Manulife Financial Centre (collection service), Tower A, 223-231 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong |
| West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | 12/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok |
| Tsuen Wan Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop S201, 2/F, Smartland, 50 Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan |
| Sha Tin Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop G26, G/F (registration service) and Shop 123, 1/F, (collection service) Kings Wing Plaza 1, 3 On Kwan Street, Shek Mun, Sha Tin |
| Sheung Shui Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | 7/F, Spot, 48 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui |
| Tuen Mun Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop L414B, Level 4, Leung King Plaza, Leung King Estate, 31 Tin King Road, Tuen Mun |
| Yuen Long Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop 50, G/F, Manhattan Plaza, 23 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long |
| Tseung Kwan O Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre | Shop 20-26, G/F, Corinthia by the Sea, 23 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung |
Annex II
ImmD Mobile Application
Online Appointment Booking for Replacement of Identity Cards
(Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise)
