From January 21 2019, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department officially launch the next-generation Hong Kong Smart ID cards to all local residents. Coupled with a Next Generation Smart Identity Card System, the new identification card will be enhanced with upgraded security features, card durability, and chip technology for personal data protection.

The ID Card Replacement Exercise is more than replacement of ID card, it introduces various self-service facilities, which aims to make the replacement more convenient and user-friendly.  The self-service facilities include registration kiosk, information service kiosk, self-service collection kiosk and backend document e-Cabinet.

The registration kiosk will verify the identity of applicants with current ID cards and biometric info such as fingerprint and facial appearance. Upon successful verification, an official form will be  printed for the replacement of the current ID card.

After the applicants submit the form to the Immigration Officer, the process of the new e-ID card will be initiated.

The applicants can check the status of their new e-ID card through the web or via information service kiosks which are conveniently located across HK SAR.

When the new e-ID cards are completed, they will be stored in the document e-Cabinet in the office. The system will select a self-service collection kiosk nearest to the applicants allowing the applicant to collect the new e-ID card from the self collection kiosks.

Till date, hundreds of self-service facilities have been deployed in most of the service outlets, which provides card replacement services to the citizens in Hong Kong.