Hong Kong ID Card Replacement Process

The Hong Kong immigration department announced that the old smart ID cards will lose validity in stages starting May 2025. A new form of ID card has been issued since 2018, but over 118,000 people have not yet replaced their old cards. The replacement will occur in two phases: those born after 1970 must replace their cards by May 12, 2025, and those born before 1969 by October 12, 2025. The pandemic caused delays in the replacement process. With a 90% replacement rate achieved, the department is now comfortable invalidating the old cards. After the replacement period, old cardholders must use valid passports or other travel documents to enter or exit Hong Kong.

When will the old form of the Hong Kong smart identity card start losing its validity?

• May next year

• October next year

• December next year

• January next year

Since when has the new form of Hong Kong identity cards been issued?

• 2017

• 2018

• 2019

• 2016

How many people have not yet replaced their old ID cards?

• 150,000

• 200,000

• 100,000

• 118,000

In the first phase, from when will individuals born after 1970 not be able to use their old ID cards?

• May 12th, 2025

• October 12th, 2025

• May 12th, 2024

• October 12th, 2024

In the second phase, from when will old ID cards stop being valid for people born on or before 1969?

• October 12th, 2025

• October 12th, 2024

• May 12th, 2025

• May 12th, 2024

What is one of the reasons for the delay in the replacement of old ID cards?

• Economic crisis

• Natural disasters

• Pandemic

• Political unrest

When did the replacement exercise for the new ID cards commence?

• 2019

• 2018

• 2020

• 2017

What percentage of replacement rates made the authorities comfortable to make the invalidation order?

• 95%

• 80%

• 85%

• 90%

What will holders of old ID cards need to use to enter or exit the territory after the replacement period?

• Special permits

• Temporary ID cards

• Valid passports or other travel documents

• Old ID cards

When was the invalidation of old ID cards initially completed?

• March 2025

• March 2024

• March 2023

• March 2022