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Hong Kong Local Reference INFOrmation

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Residency and Identity Cards in Hong Kong

Information on residency requirements for foreigners moving to Hong Kong: Who needs what, where to go, how to make the application for a Hong Kong Identity Card and the documentation required.

The requirements for entry to Hong Kong differ according to nationality and the reason for the visit. While tourists from many countries are allowed entry without visas for periods of between 7 and 180 days, those who wish to remain longer must have the necessary clearance to do so in place before their arrival or they risk being refused entry.

The Immigration Department website gives comprehensive information in English regarding entry visas for shorter stays.

This page contains information for longer-term residents and outlines the requirements they must satisfy in order to remain in Hong Kong. British citizens are now treated in the same way as other foreign nationals and must have permission to remain longer than 180 days and to work if that is what they wish to do. New arrivals are discouraged from arriving as tourists and then changing their status. It is illegal for tourists or visitors to work including in casual employment, voluntary work or to study.

Anyone, regardless of nationality, who intends to stay in Hong Kong for longer than the period allowed by the government, must apply for permission to remain there (for the purpose of work or study for example) in advance of their arrival. Permission comes from the Director of Immigration.

Immigration Department Headquarters
At: Immigration Tower, 2nd Floor, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: 2824 6111
Fax: 2824 6111
Open: Monday to Friday 08:45-16:30, Saturday 09:00-11:30
e-mail
Website

Applying for Residency

Hong Kong carefully controls the arrival of immigrants in order to keep the population of immigrants within acceptable limits. Having successfully entered Hong Kong, the right to remain is guaranteed by the possession of a government-issued Smart ID card. These ID cards are used frequently in daily life and by law must be carried at all times by everyone over 11 years of age. Foreign residents are not exempt from police spot checks; while they are waiting for the issue of their ID card foreign residents should be prepared to provide proof of their identity on demand. This can be in the form of a current passport or the document which shows that application has been made for an ID card.

Smart cards contain an embedded chip that holds a photo image, templates of the left and right thumbprints, and basic identification and immigration status information.

There are two types of identification card:

A permanent identity card that gives the holder the right to remain in the HKSAR indefinitely
A limited card that gives the right to remain for a specified period

New arrivals are unlikely to satisfy the requirements for the permanent card but can nevertheless find information on the Immigration Department website regarding the Right of Abode.

Hong Kong underwent a Smart ID card replacement exercise which ended in March 2007, enabling residents to enter and exit the country through automated fingerprinting kiosks. Hong Kong ID card holders who have not travelled to Hong Kong in recent years will need to upgrade their cards to the Smart card. New arrivals who qualify will be issued with Smart cards.

Note: The ID card is a separate document from an employment visa. Work permits are covered below.

Detailed information on the Hong Kong Identity Card from the Immigration Department

Who needs to apply for an ID card

Anyone who intends to remain in Hong Kong for more than 180 days must apply for an ID card. This includes spouses and dependants over 11 years of age.

Application should be made within 30 days of arrival in Hong Kong
Children need to apply for their card within 30 days of their 11^th birthday
Teenagers must apply for their adult card within 30 days of their 18^th birthday
If a card is lost, stolen or defaced, application for a new card must be made within 14 days and the loss reported to the Registration of Persons Office. If a card is later found it must be handed in to the authorities – it is an offence to hold more than one card.

How and where to apply for an ID card

Most applications for an ID card can be made at any Registration of Persons Office. To avoid waiting, applicants are encouraged to make an appointment.

To find contact details of a local Registration of Persons Office: Click here
To book an appointment via the internet: Click here

New arrivals from mainland China holding a One-way Exit Chinese Permit must apply for an ID card at the Registration of Persons Office in Kowloon. Workers arriving under the Supplementary Labour Scheme must apply at the Registration of Persons Office in Kwun Tong.

Application for an ID card is made via an application form ROP1. This can be obtained from any Registration of Persons Office or from the headquarters of the Immigration Department. Some forms can be downloaded via the website.

For further details and to download forms: Click here

There are different application procedures and forms for those under 18 years of age and those over 18 years of age. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian when they make their application.

Normal processing time for an application is 10 working days. In exceptional circumstances a card may be issued immediately.

Detailed instructions for the actual process on arrival at the office for an appointment are also given on the website.

Initial cards are issued free of charge but a fee will be levied for replacements where there has been a loss of a card or alterations are required.

For information on fees, see the Immigration Department website: Click here

Documents required

The documentation which must be submitted in support of an application depends on the age and circumstances of the applicant.

For details of the documentation required for under 18s: Click here
For details of the documentation required for over 18s: Click here

All applicants will be asked for evidence of identity such as a passport, birth certificate (for under 18s) or similar. Any documents that are not in Chinese or English will need to be officially translated.

For new arrivals to Hong Kong, cards will not be issued to first time applicants unless they can prove that they have been given permission to be there. For many people this means showing a valid employment visa.

Note: An employment visa is only valid for the position for which it was originally issued and for the specific term of employment. If at any time employment changes a new visa is necessary. If the holder of a visa loses their job then their status becomes that of a visitor again and they therefore have no right to work.

Issue and collection of cards

Cards normally must be collected in person. Details of when and where to collect a card are given on the Acknowledgement of Application for an Identity Card. On collection, applicants will be asked to place their left and right thumb prints on a scanner to confirm that the chip of the Smart ID card is functioning properly and the personal data stored in the chip is correct.

It is possible to send a representative to collect a card on the applicant's behalf. Consult the Immigration Department website for details.

Leaving Hong Kong

Individuals who plan to leave Hong Kong for a period of three months or longer must notify the Registration of Persons department. Card holders may be required to surrender the ID card at that time.

Dependants and Their Rights

Dependant children do not need permission to study in Hong Kong.

Once they finish full-time education and wish to work they should approach the Immigration Department again to ensure that any restrictions which may initially have applied to them (for example a restriction against working) when an ID card was issued is removed. This is usually a formality.

Since May 2006, dependant wives and husbands no longer need to apply for permission to work, but again they should check with the Immigration Department first and see that there are no restrictions attached to their ID card.

Permanent Residency

Anyone who has been living in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years can apply for permanent residency and the "right of abode". The person will then have most of the rights of Hong Kong citizens, such as the right to vote. However, if the person leaves Hong Kong for more than three years, they will lose their permanent residency status.

For comprehensive information on the Right of Abode in Hong Kong: Click here

Work Permits

A work permit must be obtained before entry to Hong Kong and therefore before an individual can even apply for residency via the ID card system. Apply for a work permit well in advance of travel as the procedure can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer. A work permit is usually only issued for a specified period of time.

Work permits are issued via the Immigration Department. Each application is considered separately but various key criteria are used to determine whether or not to grant a permit, for example, whether the applicant have a graduate degree or equivalent or if they have specialist knowledge or experience which is in short supply in Hong Kong. In addition, the Immigration Department will need to be satisfied that the position cannot be filled by a local resident or worker.

Application for a work visa is made to the Hong Kong Immigration Department directly or through the sponsor (usually the prospective employer) in Hong Kong. Alternatively, applicants can contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. There is a charge for processing these applications.