Hong Kong Identity Cards (HKID)
Anyone entering Hong Kong must have at least six months validity remaining on their passports after the date of entry to Hong Kong.
Visitors planning to stay in Hong Kong for longer than 180 days must apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) within 30 days of arriving in Hong Kong. All Hong Kong residents aged 11 or over are required to register for an identity card. The Hong Kong Identity card (HKID) is an official identity document issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. There are two types of HKID card:
- 1. Hong Kong Smart Identity Card:
- To apply for the HKID card your Working Visa must be valid for more than 180 days. Once you have your HKID Card you are by law required to carry it with you at all times.
- 2. Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
- After seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong, expatriates are entitled to apply for the Hong Kong Permanent Identity card, this will grant an individual the right of abode in the HK SAR, ensuring unlimited entry, the right to seek employment, the right to vote in Hong Kong elections and stand for elected office.
For further details, contact the Immigration Department.
To apply for your Hong Kong Smart Identity card, you must first make an appointment with the Immigration Department. You can book an appointment through the internet or touch tone telephone:
Internet appointment booking: www.gov.hk/icbooking
Telephone appointment booking: 2598 0888
You will need to take the following documents with you to your appointment:
- Passport (with a valid stamped visa).
- Two current passport photographs.
- Entry permit - One-way Permit or affidavit showing your residential status in Hong Kong.
- Check with the Immigration Department for the latest requirements for HKID applications.
https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/index.htm
Immigration Department
6/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.
Tel: 2598 0888
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Tourist Visa
Anyone entering Hong Kong must have at least six months validity remaining on their passports after the date of entry to Hong Kong.
Travellers from most Western and Asian countries are granted a visa free stay for a limited period of time. The length of time varies on the country of origin. Presently UK citizens receive 180 days while most other countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States receive 90 days. Middle Eastern countries receive 14 or 30 days and some Asian and African countries require approved visas. Visa regulations are subject to change, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website for a full list of tourist visa requirements.
Hong Kong Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk
Working Visa
A working visa is required in order to work in Hong Kong. If you are being transferred to Hong Kong with a corporation, the company’s human resources department or the designee may handle the necessary paperwork for securing an employment visa. Once the primary visa has been granted, you are entitled to apply for dependant visas for your spouse and children. Note: If you and your family members are all relocating to Hong Kong at the same time, you can apply for the visa together from overseas. Spouses on dependant visas in Hong Kong are not required to apply for separate work visa to take up employment in HK.
It takes on average about six weeks for Hong Kong Immigration Department to process a visa application.
Visa for mainland China, from Hong Kong
Visitors to Hong Kong who plan to travel to mainland China from Hong Kong will need China entry visa. The China entry visa can be obtained from the Visa office of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited - http://www.ctshk.com/english/index.htm or through a Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in the applicants place of residence. Leading travel agents can also assist in obtaining a China visa.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card
To enhance the mobility of business travelers within the APEC economies, if you reside in Hong Kong SAR and hold a Permanent Identity card and a valid national passport, you may apply for the APEC business travel card, cardholders are able to enjoy a streamlined immigration clearance at the control points of economies participating in this scheme.
www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/hk-visas/apec-business-travel-card.html
Critical Documents
Apart from passports, it is advisable to bring original or copies of any other critical documents on your flight to Hong Kong such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption certificate,divorce decree, change of name certificates or house deeds, and education certificates. Do not leave these important documents in your air or sea shipment. Leave copies of your passport and latest visa with someone overseas in case of loss or theft. It is also advisable to have plenty of passport photos as they are required for numerous documents in Hong Kong.
Embassies Worldwide
www.embassyworld.com
Directory and search engine for the world's embassies and consulates.
Consulates
Argentina Republic
Tel: 2523 3208
Australia
Tel: 2827 8881
www.hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au
Austria
Tel: 2522 8086
www.bmeia.gv.at/hongkong
Belgium
Tel: 2524 3111
www.diplomatie.belgium.be/en
Britain
Tel: 2901 3000
www.british-consulate.net/uk/United-Kingdom-Consular-Assistance-Hong-Kong
Brazil
Tel: 2525 7002
http://hongkong.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/
Canada
Tel: 3719 4700
www.hongkong.gc.ca
Chile Tel: 2827 1826
Colombia
Tel: 2545 8547
http://hongkong.consulado.gov.co/
Egypt Tel: 2827 0668
Finland
Tel: 2525 5385
www.finland.org.hk
France
Tel: 3752 9900
https://hongkong.consulfrance.org/-English-
Germany
Tel: 2105 8788
www.hongkong.diplo.de
India
Tel: 3970 9900
http://www.cgihk.gov.in/
Indonesia
Tel: 3651 0200
https://www.kemlu.go.id/hongkong/en
Israel
Tel: 2821 7500
https://embassies.gov.il/hong-kong
Italy
Tel: 2522 0033
www.conshongkong.esteri.it
Japan
Tel: 2522 1184
www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp
Korea
Tel: 2529 4141
http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/hk-en
Malaysia
Tel: 2821 0800
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/hongkong
Mexico
Tel: 2511 3305
https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/hongkong/
If you are a new arrival, aged 11 or over and have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days, you MUST register for an identity card within 30 days of arriving in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) is an official identity document issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.
Immigration Department
6/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
(MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A5)
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Tel: 2824 6111
Remark: Once you have your HKID Card, you are required by law to carry it on you at all times.
There are two types of HKID card:
- Hong Kong Identity Card: After 7 years of residence in Hong Kong, expatriates are entitled to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
- Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card: This card states that holder has the right of abode to HKSAR.
To apply for your HKID card, you are recommended to make an appointment via the hotline 2598 0888 or at http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/bookregidcard.htm with the Immigration Department in advance. You must apply in person and take along the following items*:
- Proof of identity such as a valid travel document/passport (With a valid stamped visa)
- Two current passport photographs
- Birth certificate
- Completed Form ROP1
* Check with the Immigration Department for the latest requirements for HKID applications.
If you wish someone to collect the HKID Card on behalf of you, he or she must also bring:
- Original Signed Authorization Form ID678
- Copy of Passport (With signature page for signature’s verification**)
- Original Temporary HKID Card
** Signature on the authorized form should be the same as that on the passport