The Government today announced that the old form of smart identity cards issued before November 26, 2018 will be invalidated in two phases in 2025.  

The measure follows the conclusion of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise on March 3 last year.

Phase I of the invalidation exercise will cover old ID card holders born in 1970 or after, whose old cards will become invalid on May 12, 2025.

Phase II will cover old ID card holders born in 1969 or before, whose old cards will become invalid on October 12, 2025.

The Registration of Persons (Invalidation of Identity Cards) Order 2024 will be published in the Gazette on June 21, and tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on June 26.

The invalidation order covers all Hong Kong residents, whether they are permanent residents or non-permanent residents who are permitted to take up employment, make investments, reside or study in Hong Kong.

It also involves those who stay at a residential care home, who are eligible for the on-site identity card replacement service.

If the old ID cards have not been replaced, they will be invalidated on the specified dates in accordance with the invalidation order.

The Immigration Department (ImmD) urges residents still holding old ID cards to make appointments for replacement as soon as possible. Click here for samples of old ID cards and here for samples of new ones.

For those who are unable to have their ID cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to absence from Hong Kong, they should replace their cards within 30 days of their return to the city.

Failure to apply for a new ID card within the specified call-up periods without a reasonable excuse is an offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and be liable to a fine of $5,000 upon conviction.

The aged, the blind or the infirm who satisfy a registration officer that their personal attendance for registration of Hong Kong ID cards will injure their health or the health of others may, instead of applying for a new ID card replacement, apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

The invalidation of old ID cards will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders concerned unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.

Members of the public can apply for replacement of new ID cards at designated registration of persons offices.

They may scan the QR codes to download the ImmD mobile application, visit the website, or call the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2598 0888 to make an appointment for ID card application at these offices.

For enquiries, call 2824 6111, send a fax to 2877 7711 or send an email.