Hong Kong identity card

The use of identity documents has a long history in Hong Kong, starting with manually filled paper documents, to the smart card introduced on 23 June 2003. These measures were put into practice to manage the influx of migrants from China. The registration was completed in 1951. Although registration was compulsory for all residents, people were not required to carry their documents with them at all times when out in public. Beginning on 1 June 1960, the government introduced the second generation of ID cards. On 27 December 2018, the Immigration Department started the replacement procedure for all existing smart identity cards under the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise. The programme features 24 phases, from 2018 to 2023. ==Classes of HKID==

There are two classes of Hong Kong identity card: • Hong Kong permanent identity card () – which states that the holder has the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region • Hong Kong identity card () – which does not state that right. The card types can be further divided into cards bearing the term "child" (below age 11 and not compulsory; the card can be requested to obtain later a passport with a Hong Kong permanent resident number), "youth" (from age 11 up until 18), and "adult" (issued from age 18 onwards). Permanent HKID and right of abode Permanent HKID holders have the Right of Abode (ROA) () in Hong Kong. Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, a person who belongs to one of the following categories is a permanent resident of the HKSAR with right of abode privileges: • Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR • Chinese citizen who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the HKSAR. • Person of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR to a legal ascendant who, at the time of birth of that person, was a Chinese citizen falling within category (1) or (2). • Person not of Chinese nationality who has entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and has taken Hong Kong as his place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the HKSAR. • Person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a legal ascendant who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR in category (4) before or after the establishment of the HKSAR if at the time of his birth or at any later time before he attains 21 years of age, one of his legal ascendant(s) has the ROA in Hong Kong. • Person other than those residents in categories (1) to (5), who, before the establishment of the HKSAR, had the ROA in Hong Kong only. Paper versions of the Hong Kong Identity card (such as the one on the right) are issued by the Registration of Persons Office for temporary use until a smart card can be manufactured. This process requires two weeks, and the smart card must be collected within six weeks. Hong Kong identity card All Hong Kong residents aged 11 or over must register for an identity card. ==Eligibility==

Residents of Hong Kong are required to obtain an HKID card at the age of 11. Hong Kong residents over age 15 are required to carry legal identification with them at all times (that is, the HKID card). Bearers of a "youth" HKID card must switch to an "adult" HKID within 30 days after their 18th birthday. The "youth" card will be invalid as re-entry travel document 30 days after the 18th birthday. Photographs are not required on HKIDs for children under the age of 11 and cannot be used as travel documents. A Hong Kong Re-entry Permit is issued in its place. Alternatively, children may use their HKSAR passport as a travel document to enter and exit Hong Kong. ==Meaning of symbols on ID card==

A Hong Kong ID card bears a number of symbols in Roman letters under the date of birth (for example: ***AZ, AO, CO). Up until the issue of Smart ID cards, which were issued commencing from 2003, the sex of the holder was also shown in the codes under the date of birth (for example ***AFZ, AMO, CFO). It is now shown next to the left of the date of birth, so the codes under the date of birth do not include M or F. The symbols have the following meaning: ==HKID number==

HKID cards contain the bearer's HKID number, of which the standard format is X123456(A). X represents any one or two letters of the alphabet. The meaning of each initial letter is explained in the table below. The numerals may represent any Arabic number. A is the check digit which has 11 possible values from 0 to 9 and A. There are 26 million possible card numbers using only the one-letter prefix, and 676 million using a two-letter prefix. The ID numbers of deceased persons are not reused. The check digit in brackets is not part of the identity card number, but appended solely to facilitate computer data processing. Infants are not issued HKIDs but birth certificates have been issued with the holder's ID number since 1 January 1980. As of the year 2023, there are no single letter HKIDs that begin with the letters: "I", "O", "Q", "U", "X" (There are double letters begin with "X"). Meaning of first letter(s) ==Physical appearance==

First and second-generation computerised HKID :* Name in Chinese (if any) :* Name in English :* Name in Chinese Commercial Code (if any) :* Sex :* Date of birth (DD-MM-YYYY) :* Symbols :* Holder's digital image :* Month and year of first registration :* Date of registration :* Date of expiry (first-generation computerised Hong Kong ID card only) :* Identity card number (Note) The other difference between the first and second generation cards is the replacement of the coat of arms from the back, which was done to remove any colonial features in preparation for the handover in 1997. Third and Fourth generation smart HKID :*Name in Chinese (if any) :*Name in English :*Name in Chinese Commercial Code (if any) :*Date of birth (DD-MM-YYYY) :*Sex :*Symbols :*Holder's digital image :*Month and year of first registration :*Date of (this) registration :*Identity card number ==Names in Chinese and Roman script==

It is common for Chinese Hong Kongers to adopt western-style English names (such as John, Mary, etc.), in addition to their phonetic English names, after being registered on the birth register. Some of them may wish to include their western-style English name as part of their official English name (this is known as 'adding an English name' locally). They can apply to the Immigration Department for adding an English name (example: someone named 'Tai Ming CHAN' may have adopted a Western-style English name Peter and wish to have this name shown as 'Peter Tai Ming CHAN' ('Peter' as a first name) or 'Tai Ming Peter CHAN' ('Peter' as a middle name)) on his HKID card and the government's records. This is not considered by the Immigration Department as a name change. The Immigration Department considers that his or her original name (in the format of 'Tai Ming CHAN') is an alias, and that the newly lodged name (usually in the format of 'Peter Tai Ming CHAN' or 'Tai Ming Peter CHAN' or CHAN Tai Ming, Peter) is the proper name of the applicant (in the sense that such name is the 'proper name' of the applicant). A legal hangover from the former British administration is that the English transliteration of a person's Chinese name is their official legal name, and not their name in Chinese characters as would be expected. Normally, when non-ethnic Chinese register for their first HKID card, the space reserved for a Chinese name is automatically left blank by the Immigration Department. It is possible, however, to add a name in Chinese characters at any time through application to the Immigration Department. Where a non-ethnic Chinese person applies to add a name in Chinese characters after first registration, this is considered by the Immigration Department as a name change. ==Use as a travel document==

The Hong Kong permanent identity card by itself can be used to travel to Macau, as long as the holder has the right of abode or the right to land in Hong Kong. The holder is able to stay for up to 1 year in Macau visa-free. Albania also accepts the Hong Kong permanent identity card by itself for entry, for a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days. Montserrat accepts HKID for stay no longer than 14 days. Montserratian authorities allow to enter with any proof of identity (even driving licence). Some foreign territories require Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders to present their HKID as well to benefit from a visa exemption scheme. These places include Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Only HKSAR passport holders who were not born in Hong Kong or Macau are required to possess HKID when entering Taiwan. HKID holders who possess right of abode or right to land are automatically eligible to use the e-Channel when arriving at or departing from Hong Kong. The e-Channel is not available when using an HKSAR passport and the person must clear immigration at an inspection counter if he or she arrives at or depart from a port of entry without HKID. Non-permanent residents are also eligible if they hold a Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or if they are successfully registered for e-Channel. == Replacement schedule ==

The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise has ended. Eligible members of the public who have yet to apply for the new smart identity card should apply at the Registration of Persons - Kwun Tong Office, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories. 3rd Floor of Administration Tower for registration service; or 1st Floor of Administration Tower for collection service. Nearest MTR station is Tseung Kwan O, using exit B1. On-site Identity Card Replacement Service will continuously be provided to residential care homes (RCHs) and persons with disabilities (PwDs) across the territory. The old form of the smart identity cards will be invalidated in 2025. ==See also==