Identity-card holders who were born in 1968 or 1969 are required to apply for the new smart ID cards from September 15 to November 15.

Starting today, eligible applicants can book an appointment by telephone at 1838 333, via the ESDlife website: www.esd.gov.hk, or at any ESD kiosk.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to book an appointment in advance if they want to ensure that a time is available at the Smart ID Card Centre of their choice, particularly during rush periods in the evening or on Saturday.

Applications are to be submitted to one of the Smart ID Card Centres, which are open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 9.15pm.

Where to go

Addresses and telephone numbers of the Smart ID Card Centres are:

* Hong Kong Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2834 4717

6th Floor, Elizabeth House, 250-254 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay

(Causeway Bay MTR Station - Exit C)

* East Kowloon Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2759 5102

1st Floor, World Trade Square, 123 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong

(Ngau Tau Kok MTR Station - Exit B6)

* West Kowloon Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2368 5454

Lower Ground Floor, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East

* Tsuen Wan Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2149 5040

2nd Floor, Smartland, 36 - 60 Texaco Road, Tai Wo Hau, Tsuen Wan

(Tai Wo Hau MTR Station - Exit B)

* Sha Tin Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2634 0965

13th Floor, Tower II, Grand Central Plaza, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin

(Sha Tin Railway Station - Exit B)

* Sheung Shui Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2672 2644

13th Floor, Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui

(Sheung Shui Railway Station - Exit B)

* Tuen Mun Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2404 6867

1st Floor, Rosedale Gardens, 133 Castle Peak Road, San Hui, Tuen Mun

(Light Rail - Hoh Fuk Tong Station)

* Yuen Long Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2146 1990

Basement 1, Kingswood Ginza (Shopping Arcade), 18 Tin Yan Road (Phase 2), Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long

(Light Rail - Tin Shui Wai Terminus)

* Tseung Kwan O Smart ID Card Centre

Tel: 2274 4797

Shop No. B7-B10, Podium Level 1, Nan Fung Plaza, 8 Pui Shing Road, Tseung Kwan O

(Hang Hau MTR Station - Exit B2)

Only people born in 1968 or 1969 are eligible to apply during this call-up period. Those who do not belong to these age groups should watch for further public announcements. Applications not related to the exercise will continue to be dealt with at the Registration of Persons Offices.

Outside of HK? Relax - you have 30 days after return to apply

Eligible Hong Kong residents who are away from Hong Kong during the call-up period need not rush back to apply for the smart identity card. If they miss their turn, they can apply within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.

Details of the territory-wide ID Card Replacement Exercise are contained in an information leaflet, "Hong Kong Smart Identity Card Replacement Exercise", which can be obtained from the Immigration Headquarters and other branch offices, Hongkong Post Offices, District Offices and public libraries.