Hong Kong ID: When and How To Apply for Your Identity Card

A Hong Kong Identity Card is generally required for Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above, including new arrivals permitted to stay for more than 180 days. However, holding an HKID is not a general requirement for incorporating or acting as a director of a Hong Kong company.

If you’re thinking about becoming a resident of Hong Kong, whether for personal or business purposes, here’s everything you need to know about applying for your Hong Kong permanent identity card. Let’s explore and gather all the essential details!

Know the basics of the Hong Kong ID

A Hong Kong Identity Card (HKIC/HKID), often referred to as the smart identity card, is a mandatory identification document for non-permanent residents living in Hong Kong for more than 180 days.

This card is essential not only for daily activities but also for matters related to lifestyle property in Hong Kong, such as renting or purchasing residential units. It’s issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Who must apply for the HKID?

Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above, including new arrivals permitted to stay for more than 180 days, must register for an identity card unless exempted or excluded.

The explanations below will help you better understand the subject of this requirement:

Permanent residents

They are individuals who have the right of abode in Hong Kong, which typically includes Chinese nationals born or individuals who have acquired the right of abode through other means (e.g. continuous residence in Hong Kong for at least 7 years)

Non-permanent residents/ foreigners

These are people who are residing in Hong Kong for a temporary period, such as foreign workers, students, and accompanying family members on dependent visas.

When to apply for the Hong Kong ID?

Complying with the required timeline is crucial for both permanent residents and foreigners. You can identify your specific case below:

For Hong Kong residents

• Applying for an identity card is mandatory within 30 days of turning 11 years old. In the event the child is overseas during those months, the ID card must be applied for within 30 days of returning to Hong Kong.
• Holders of juvenile identity cards must switch to an adult card within 30 days after their 18th birthday. Failure to do so on time can result in a fine of HK$10,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.

For foreigners (new arrivals and returning residents from other countries)

• New arrival: If you are at least 11 years old and permitted to stay in Hong Kong for over 180 days, you must register for an identity card within 30 days of your arrival.
• Returning residents: If you hold a permanent identity card issued overseas along with an HKSAR passport issued abroad, you must apply for a new card within 30 days of returning to Hong Kong (not required for individuals under 11 years old)

In short, whether for personal reasons or doing business in Hong Kong, you are obliged to apply for your HKID within 1 month of setting foot in the region.

What is the physical HKID like?

A Hong Kong Identity Card is a credit-card-sized smart card made of durable polycarbonate. The current version, issued since 26 November 2018, contains an embedded chip and enhanced security features designed to prevent alteration and counterfeiting.

The card displays key personal details, including the holder’s photograph, identity card number, English and Chinese names where applicable, date of birth, sex, date of issue, and symbols relating to matters such as residential status and reported place of birth. The chip is located on the back and stores the information shown on the card face.

Smart HKIDs have been issued since 2003. Cardholders may voluntarily use them for services such as public-library access, eHealth-related patient registration or verification, and eligible immigration e-Channels. Persons aged 15 or above must carry proof of identity at all times, which will normally be their HKID.

Exceptions to HKID holding requirements

The specific exempted categories are detailed as follows:

Genuine Travellers in Transit or Short-term Stay

Individuals passing through Hong Kong in transit or those permitted to stay for not more than 180 days are exempt from applying for an identity card.

Children of Consular Staff

In particular, children under 11 years old of the following persons are exempt from the HK ID requirement:

• Consuls
• Consular staff, or
• The Head/ Members of the Office of the Commission of the European Communities in Hong Kong.

Children under 11 applying for HKSAR Passports

Residents under 11 years old are exempt from applying for an identity card, except for Hong Kong permanent residents who must apply for permanent identity cards concurrently with their applications for HKSAR passports.

Exemption by the Commissioner of Registration

These cases include the aged, the blind, and the infirm who have been specifically exempted from registering for an identity card by the Commissioner of Registration.

Simply put, these exemptions ensure that certain groups of individuals are not burdened with the requirement to obtain an identity card in Hong Kong under specific circumstances.

Varieties of Hong Kong Identity Cards

Hong Kong offers various identity cards to meet the needs of different groups of foreigners residing in the city. Below are the main categories you should keep in mind when applying for your own HK ID.

Based on the holder’s rights

There are two fundamental types of Hong Kong identity cards available.

Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card

Under Article 24 of the Hong Kong Basic Law and paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance⁽¹⁾, the principal categories of Hong Kong permanent residents include:

• Chinese nationals born in Hong Kong.
• Chinese nationals who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of at least seven years.
• Persons of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong to a parent who, at the time of their birth, was a qualifying Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident.
• Non-Chinese nationals who have entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, ordinarily resided there for a continuous period of at least seven years immediately before applying, and took Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence.
• Persons under 21 born in Hong Kong to a qualifying non-Chinese permanent resident parent, provided that one parent had the right of abode at the time of their birth or before they turned 21. Upon turning 21, they must qualify for permanent resident status on their own merits.
• Individuals who, before the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, had the right of abode in Hong Kong only.

Hong Kong permanent residents have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and are eligible to obtain permanent identity cards stating that right.

Hong Kong Identity Card

On the other hand, the Hong Kong Identity Card is for individuals planning to stay in Hong Kong for over 180 days but don’t intend to apply for permanent residency.

The application criteria are simpler. Therefore, it’s a preferred choice for expats or foreign entrepreneurs. However, note that holders of HKID do not possess the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Based on the age group

Depending on the age of the individual, the card types can also be further categorized into:

• Permanent identity cards for eligible children under 11 issued in connection with HKSAR passport applications.
• Juvenile identity cards for persons aged 11 to 17.
• Adult identity cards for persons aged 18 or above.

As per the Registration of Persons Ordinance, all residents of Hong Kong aged 11 or above are generally obliged to register for an identity card except for certain cases.

Steps to the application for Hong Kong Identity Card

The process to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card generally involves the following steps. Here’s an overview so you can navigate better:

Step 1: Schedule a meeting with the Immigration Department

First, you need to make an appointment in advance via the Hong Kong Immigration Department Mobile Application or their online site.

Upon entering the system, you will be required to read through and agree with the policies. Next, please provide your personal information (e.g. ID number, birth certificate, birthdate, etc.), or travel document number as identity proof. After that, set a 4-digit code for managing or canceling your schedule online.

Please keep in mind that only a maximum of 4 people can be registered per appointment. Applicants are advised to make an appointment in advance. The current appointment system allows bookings within the following 96 working days, subject to availability, and one appointment may cover up to four applicants of the same application type⁽²⁾.

Step 2: Prepare the necessary documents to bring to the appointment

Document requirements vary depending on your age, place of birth, and immigration status. New arrivals should bring the originals of:

• A valid travel document, passport, entry permit, or affidavit showing their residential status in Hong Kong
• A One-way Permit, if arriving from Mainland China under this permit
• A birth certificate and any previously issued identity card, where applicable

Applicants aged 11–17 must attend with a parent or legal guardian, who must also present valid identification and proof of guardianship, where applicable⁽³⁾. A Hong Kong proof of address is not normally required for first-time HKID registration, but you should check the Immigration Department’s requirements if your circumstances are unusual.

Step 3: Attend the appointment and submit your documents

After the preparations are completed, you can attend the Registration of Persons Office meeting at the time and place determined with confidence. At the appointment, you will be asked to present the paperwork for verification purposes mentioned above and answer a few questions.

Regarding the application fee, first-time applicants don’t need to pay any fee when applying. However, the replacement of your misplaced or damaged ID will cost HK$370.

Step 4: Collect your Hong Kong Identity Card

Upon successful application, your HKID will be ready for collection within 7 to 10 working days.

You can retrieve your card in person or designate an authorized representative to collect it on your behalf. To authorize someone else for collection, simply complete form ID678 and remind your representative to bring this form along when collecting your ID.

Once you have received your ID card, it’s advisable to handle it with care and store it securely for usage.

To wrap up

A Hong Kong Identity Card is generally required for residents aged 11 or above, including eligible new arrivals permitted to stay for more than 180 days. However, a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is available only to individuals who have established the right of abode.

To complete the process smoothly, book an appointment in advance, prepare the required original documents, and collect the card once processing is complete. You should also report a lost or damaged HKID and apply for a replacement within the prescribed period.

Planning to live and do business in Hong Kong? Contact us for practical guidance and support from the BBCIncorp team.

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