The Immigration Department will start accepting applications for HKSAR e-Passports from February 5 with a view to enhancing document security. Existing passports will remain valid until their expiry. 

To counter passport forgery and fraud, the e-Passport has advanced security features and sophisticated printing techniques, such as laser engraving.

It contains digital data, including the holder's personal data and facial image, which will be stored in the chip embedded in the passport's back cover.

To further enhance customer services, the time needed for processing passport applications will be reduced from 15 to 10 working days.

The department will also start issuing chip-embedded Electronic Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes, from the day it rolls out the e-Passport.