HKID Card Application & Renewal: Everything you need to know

The HKID - also known as the Hong Kong Smart ID Card, or just Hong Kong ID Card - is required by pretty much all Hong Kong citizens, Permanent Residents, and long term residents with permission to stay for 180 days or more.

If you’re a new arrival you’ll need to apply within 30 days for your Hong Kong Identity Card for foreigners - this guide tells you how. To help you save money when you’re relocating, we’ll also touch on how you can save on international payments and currency conversion with Wise.

HKID Card application

Under the Hong Kong Registration of Persons Ordinance, anyone over the age of 11 who will be resident in Hong Kong for 180 days or more is required to get a Hong Kong ID Card, which is issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.¹ If you’re a Hong Kong Permanent Resident, you’ll need to apply even if you’re under 11 years old in order to get a passport - although no matter your age, there are limited exceptions made for people unable to apply due to disabilities or for other significant reasons.

New arrivals in Hong Kong must register for their HKID Card within 30 days - and if your card is lost, damaged or stolen you must apply for a new one within 14 days.

Book your appointment to apply for your Hong Kong ID card online.² You’ll need to enter:

• The number of applicants - up to 4 people can attend together
• Your personal information including your date of birth
• Your travel document number
• A 4 digit code you can use to change or cancel your appointment online if you need to

There’s also a verification stage to make sure the appointment is being made by a genuine applicant and not a robot.

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What do I need to bring to my HKID appointment?

The exact list of documents you need to bring along does depend on your age, and whether you’re a new arrival or applying for a card due to a change in your status. You can get a lot of helpful information on the Hong Kong government website, including full lists of supporting documents for different application types.

To give an example, here’s what you’ll need if you’re a new arrival in Hong Kong, aged over 18³:

• One way entry permit - if you’ve arrived from the Mainland
• Your valid travel document, entry permit, or affidavit showing your residential status in Hong Kong

HKID Card processing time

You can make an appointment to apply for your HKID Card within a 24 working day window - meaning you’ll be able to set up a meeting any time in the upcoming month. The availability of appointments within this time window will depend on demand, so do check with plenty of time to spare. After your appointment you can expect to have your card in around 7 days.

How much does it cost to get an ID card?

Depending on the situation you may need to pay a fee to get your HKID Card replaced or altered. However, getting your Hong Card identity card for foreigners who have just arrived is usually free. Here’s what you need to know:

Collection of HKID Card Appointment: How to collect my ID?

You can collect your HKID at a Registration of Persons Offices (ROP). There are two ways you can collect your ID: in person or by an entrusted representative.

In person: go to the nearest ROP. Submit the acknowledgement of application for an identity card at Self-service Collection Kiosk Personal Documentation Collection Kiosk. Scan your left and right thumbs to confirm your card is properly working.

Entrusting an Authorised Representative: if you entrust another person to collect your HKID in Hong Kong, make sure to finish form ID678 with your signature and bring along the entrusted person’s HKID, passport, or Re-entry Permit with the acknowledgement of application for an identity card. The authorised representative also needs to be at least 18.

HKID Renewal & Replacement

A new Smart Identity Card has been being rolled out gradually since late 2018, to make sure anyone holding an older version of the HKID has access to the new, enhanced card type. This Hong Kong smart identity card replacement exercise is ongoing, with different age groups being asked to apply for their new cards in different application windows.⁵

If you’re applying for your HKID for the first time you won’t need to apply for a new card under this scheme - you’ll be issued the updated form of ID card automatically. However, the requirement to update the HKID Card applies to all Hong Kong citizens and residents with the old style of card, including expats and domestic helpers.

If you fail to replace your card within the designated time window - and don’t have a valid reason for not doing so - you could be prosecuted and fined up to 5,000 HKD.⁶ This does not apply to people who are outside of Hong Kong at the time their call up window opens. If you miss your timeframe under this circumstance you’ll be required to attend an appointment to replace your card within 30 days of returning to Hong Kong.

Can you renew your Hong Kong ID card overseas?

Although you are not required to renew your HKID card while you are overseas, it is good to know that it is feasible to do so. It is only required to renew your HKID overseas when you also want to apply for a HKSAR passport. Renewal of HKID overseas, though, is only available to¹:

• A Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong
• A Chinese citizen who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period at least 7 years
• A Chinese citizen born overseas to Chinese parents who was either born in Hong Kong or has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least 7 years.

You can easily apply to renew your HKID by submitting a ROP143 (for 18 years and older) or ROP144 (for under 18 years) to the nearest Chinese Embassies or Consulates-General. Or you can just renew HKID once you return to Hong Kong. Just make sure to do so within 30 days of your arrival to Hong Kong.

HKID Renewal & Replacement Schedule

Hong Kong will phase out the old smart identity cards in 2025. Hong Kong government announced two phases to phase out the old HKID:

• Phase I: old HKID issued to individuals born in 1970 or later will become invalid starting May 12, 2025.
• Phase II: old HKID issued to individuals born in 1969 or before will become invalid starting October 12, 2025.

Make sure to make your appointment to replace your old HKID as you might be fined up to $5,000 if you fail to show up to the specified call-up periods.

Hong Kong ID Card Renewal Appointment

Renewing your Hong Kong ID card is a straightforward process, but it requires careful planning to ensure a smooth experience. By following the below steps, you can ensure a hassle-free renewal process and continue to enjoy the benefits of holding a valid Hong Kong ID card.

Step 1: Book an appointment by 24-hour telephone booking (2598 0888) or via the official website or with the Immigration Department Mobile App.

Step 2: If you book an appointment online, you will also be asked to fill the e-application form. But you can also do with the computer at the form-filling area when you arrive at the ROP offices. After finishing the form, you will receive a QR code.

Step 3: Go to the nearest ROP office and get a tag at a self-service tag issuing kiosk by scan. If you don’t have a QR code, you can use your old HKID instead.

Step 4: Wait until your tag number appears on the plasma panel in the waiting area to take your photo and scan your fingerprints. The officers will help you to print out the form, double-check your information and sign it.

Step 5: Proceed to the interview area for the final checking. Pay the replacement fee, and you will be issued the Acknowledgement of application for an identity card receipt. If you renew your HKID, the fee is waived.

Step 6: Collect your new HKID within the period stated in the Acknowledgement of application for an identity card receipt.

Getting your Hong Kong ID card is an important - and required - step towards your new life in Hong Kong. Use this guide to understand how to get your application booked and pull together the documents you need, and you’re one step closer to being settled. And don’t forget - if you’re sending a payment to a HKD account from abroad you could save both time and money by using Wise. Get low cost international payments which use the mid-market exchange rate, using just your FPS ID.

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