Because lots of people are from Hong Kong, I was wondering how many of us have a some sort of a Hong Kong (permanent) Identity card. I got mine in (applied for it in 2004) 2005, it was somewhat bureaucratic and difficult to do from overseas but it was oke finally.... But it works great with e-channels and quick border controls and so one. Do u have one? When did you get it? Was it difficult to apply for one? And what kind do u have (permanent/non-permanent)? Do u go (have to) back every 3- years to keep your status ? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Info for people who are interested - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Most people from overseas with Hong Kong Chinese parents apply through the following application: 'Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card' Some additional information about HK identity cards: The Immigration Department of HK: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/topical_3.htm The different types: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid.htm U can obtain more information and forms from them. The most commonly used status behind a HK identity cards is 'ROA' Right of Abode or 'RTL' Right to Land. U can try google for more information about these terms... Information direct from the site of Immigration Information about the symbols on the smart id card: Note : A - the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong. R - the holder has the right to land in Hong Kong. U - the holder's stay in Hong Kong was not limited by the Immigration Department at the time of registration of the identity card. C - the holder's stay in Hong Kong was limited by the Immigration Department at the time of registration of the identity card. (The asterisk indicates that the holder is eligible for the issue of a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit - *** for adults aged 18 or above, * for minors aged between 11 and 17.) 4. Who can enjoy the Right of Abode in the HKSAR? Under the Immigration Ordinance, a person who belongs to one of the following categories of persons is a permanent resident of the HKSAR and enjoys the ROA in the HKSAR : a. A Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR. b. A Chinese citizen who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the HKSAR. c. A person of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to a parent who, at the time of birth of that person, was a Chinese citizen falling within category (a) or (b). d. A person not of Chinese nationality who has entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and has taken Hong Kong as his place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the HKSAR. e. A person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a parent who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR in category (d) before or after the establishment of the HKSAR if at the time of his birth or at any later time before he attains 21 years of age, one of his parents has the ROA in Hong Kong. f. A person other than those residents in categories (a) to (e), who, before the establishment of the HKSAR, had the ROA in Hong Kong only. (note: this info is directly from the immd site and just for your information, we aren't giving advise on immigration matters)
Hm, I just got mine this year, 'cept I'm not really sure if it's permanent or not, 'cause there's 'no stars' on it. I didn't realize that overseas-born people had to go back to HK every 4 years (prior to the law change in 2006), and I went over 10 months, so it was pretty hectic trying to keep it. =P Speaking of which, I heard that if I don't go back to HK every 3 years now, I lose my citizenship, whilst my friend said that he doesn't need to. Does anyone know if it's true that I have to go back every 3 years or not? ;;
Ya how do you get one to begin with? Do you gotta have connections to HK, ie. parents from HK, or lived in HK before, etc?
Yeah have a Permanent HK ID card for Overseas born, got the new one last year and it was indeed a very bureaucratic process; queuing at 6am to get a number or so (glad we have an uncle who didn't mind to queue that early for us) and you still have to wait after that. Fill some application in, wait in another room, get some form back and wait in another room. 1 or 2 weeks later you have to go to an Immigration Department again -but one that's close to you- and you have to move from room to room again before they hand that plastic ID card to you. And in between making a portrait photo for the ID ofcourse. (luckily I had a nice immigration lady who didn't mind to give me a new form because I'd f*cked up my own Chinese autograph on a form hehe) -blush
was born there so got one, just got my smart one!!! w00t no more waiting for the manual checks for me, to the e-channel!! snap! my dad queued at 6am and i showed up at 8am to get my picture and finger prints done I believe you have to be either be born in HK or be born with HK parents abroad before 1997 to get one cause ive got 3 cousins all born in UK, 2 of em before '97 can get id cards, one after 97 cant....
Hm, I'm pretty sure one of the the MANY requirements was that one or both of your parents had to have been born in HK, and you'd have to show the Immigration Department their birth certificates, as well as your own. You'd need to prove where you were born (eg: birth certificate and passport) and that you have the intention of going back to HK and live there in the future. =S Some other things applied as well, such as HK bank statements, tax statements or school reports to prove you've lived in HK in the past. Ugh. I agree, Taxloss. Very bureaucratic indeed.
This link is for all out there who wants to learn more about this Smart ID card. http://www.smartid.gov.hk/en/ But yeah, one of the main rules are: at least 1 of your parents must have been born in HK (proof needed), born before 1997 or you have been living in HK for at least 7 years in succession.
x_X...still got the really old ones...Must have got that when I was 2 or 3...but since its expired then no...
I've got the Smart I.D. -^_^ Hong Kong governmental services are absolutely the best (locally), got my photo taken (digital, so you can choose to take a million until you settle) and pick up card around 5 business days later. Super quick and super fast And the best thing? It's cheap! (relative to Canada) And it's pretty
I have non-permanent, have to get back every 3 years... isn't negative for me now when I get 18, I need to get a adult id card..
I was born in HK...so i have to have one..lol.. its actually pretty cool.u have ur fingerprints on the card..the new ones i mean...does anyone else have that kind?
