Domestic Helpers Urged to Join HK ID Replacement Scheme

With the availability of replacement centres across the island for the HKID replacement scheme, the government now urges all of its citizens to comply with the process to ensure that all of the city’s residents are cleared by the Immigration Department and to avoid incurring fines.

This is to ensure that all of the country’s residents are accounted for, from government officials as well as residents who are with a visa including migrant workers, and those who are studying in the country for the covered period of time.

FDHs Urged to Join HKID Replacement Scheme
Screengrab taken from the video posted on smartid.gov.hk

Immigration Clarifies FDHs Included in Island-wide HKID Replacement Scheme

The Immigration Department made the clarification as the second phase of the HKID Card Replacement of people born in 1985 and 1986 kicked off, as shared in a report by the Sun.

Everyone is encouraged to visit any of the nine newly established Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) in phases based on their birth year, to have their HKID Card replaced within the specified eligibility periods.

As per the Immigration Department, the SIDCCs are open from Mondays to Saturdays, 8am to 10pm, except on public holidays.

Authorities urged domestic helpers in particular to take note of the following guidelines:

  • Smart HKID card holders born in 1985 or 1986 should apply for a replacement card personally at SIDCC on or before Mar 30;
  • Online appointments can be arranged via the Internet through this link, or via the Immigration mobile application or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121-1234;
  • All applicants are expected to fill out the application form when booking appointments online or through the mobile application for speedier registration, and
  • Applicants are required to provide their existing smart HKIDs and travel documents (or passports) bearing the working visa when they visit the SIDCCs.

For this particular scheme, the department is implementing a new “caring arrangement” which enables eligible applicants to bring up to two family members or friends above the age of 65 to replace their smart IDs altogether for the same visit.

Failure to comply will impose a hefty fine of HKD 5,000 on those who fail to participate.

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