Hong Kong’s old identity cards will be invalidated in two phases in 2025

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However, this move will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders of old ID cards.

The HKSAR government has announced that the old form of Hong Kong smart identity cards issued before 26 November 2018 will be invalidated in two phases in 2025.

• Phase I will cover holders of old ID cards born in 1970 or after, whose old cards will become invalid on 12 May 2025.
• Phase II will cover holders of old ID cards born in 1969 or before, whose old cards will become invalid on 12 October 2025.

In this regard, Registration of Persons (Invalidation of Identity Cards) Order 2024 (Invalidation Order) will be gazetted on 21 June, and tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on 26 June.

The Invalidation Order covers all Hong Kong residents, including:

• permanent residents;
• non-permanent residents who are permitted to take up employment, make investments, reside or study in Hong Kong; or
• residents of residential care homes 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. But this will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders of old ID cards unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.

The Immigration Department (ImmD) said for those who are unable to have their ID cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to being absent from Hong Kong, they should replace their ID cards within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong.

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 HK$5,000 upon conviction.

Members of the public can apply for replacement of new ID cards at the five designated Registration of Persons (ROP) offices. They can make an appointment for ID card application via the ImmD mobile application, the website, or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline.

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Image / HKSAR Government Press Releases