Your first Hong Kong ID: book, then bring originals

New arrivals aged 11+ permitted to stay over 180 days generally must register within 30 days of arrival, subject to exemptions. Check your actual stay permission; short exchanges and existing-card cases may differ.

First registration is free; replacement or amendment may attract a fee. The sections below distinguish adults aged 18 or over from new arrivals aged 11–17. Use the appointment category, accompanying person and documents for your age.

Book the correct application type through GovHK, the ImmD app or 2598 0888. The 96-working-day booking window is not an extension of the registration deadline.

Save the office, date, time and reference. ImmD accepts electronic forms; pre-fill at booking or complete electronically later/on the day. Obtain an appointment before attending for ordinary first registration.

For a new arrival without HKID, book with your travel-document number, the day and year of birth, and a personal four-digit enquiry code. Keep the code for enquiry, change or cancellation. Select the applicable new-arrival first-registration category, check identity details, office and time, and save the successful booking page. Change or cancel at least one day ahead if unable to attend. Bookings with incorrect identity details may be removed.

1. 1

   Choose new-arrival registration for your age

   Use the official entry below. Select New arrivals and your age group; without HKID use your travel-document number and day/year of birth, and set a four-digit enquiry code. Do not select replacement or permanent-resident eligibility verification.

   Appointment, enquiry, change and e-form service (opens in a new tab)
2. 2

   Keep the booking and complete the e-form

   Select an office and available time, check identity details and retain confirmation/reference. Pre-fill the electronic form, return later through the same service, or use office facilities/your phone on application day.

3. 3

   Change plans or resolve unavailable appointments

   Change/cancel at least one day ahead using the original document details and enquiry code. If available dates risk exceeding 30 days after arrival, call 2824 6111 with arrival date, permitted stay and available appointments. A 96-working-day booking window does not extend the registration duty.

A new-arrival student aged 18 or over should bring the original valid passport/travel document or entry permit and evidence of Hong Kong residential status (student e-Visa and latest landing slip), plus booking details and the completed electronic form. Registration includes on-site photography, both thumbprints and signature; uploading a passport photo does not complete an HKID application. First registration is free.

1. 1

   Attend the booked office

   Check its current address and obtain the service tag as instructed.

   Find the office addresses on this page
2. 2

   Check the electronic form

   Verify your name, date of birth and document details.

3. 3

   Complete registration

   Follow staff instructions for photograph, fingerprints and signing.

4. 4

   Keep the acknowledgement

   Check the collection date, place and required documents.

An applicant aged 11–17 born outside Hong Kong must bring original birth certificate, valid travel document/passport/entry permit showing Hong Kong residential status, and previous identity card if any. A father, mother or legal guardian must accompany the applicant, carrying their own original valid HKID/travel document; a legal guardian also needs proof of guardianship.

For ages 11–17, the applicant or the parent/legal guardian who applied on their behalf may collect within the acknowledgement period and return the acknowledgement. For a further representative, that parent/guardian must notify the registration officer and complete ID678/written authorisation. If the applicant attends, both thumbs and chip data are checked.

A parent’s identity-card copy alone does not satisfy the accompaniment requirement. Pack the student e-Visa, landing slip and booking record with the originals. Collect the HKID under the arrangements on your acknowledgement; it is not mailed to your hall.

Collect within the specified period and return the acknowledgement. If using a representative, follow the notification and ID678/written-authorisation requirements. The representative must be 18+ and bring their ID, your acknowledgement and authorisation.

Do not confuse bank-card delivery with HKID collection. Follow ImmD’s collection arrangements; the card is not routinely mailed to your residence, and the acknowledgement is not a travel document.

Processing normally takes five working days (Monday–Friday excluding public holidays), with collection generally available the next working day after processing; follow the date on your acknowledgement. For personal collection, return the acknowledgement and verify both thumbprints. Tell the officer at application if authorising a representative, and use ID678 or written authorisation with the same signature. After receiving a representative-collected card, personally check the chip and confirm its data at an immigration self-service kiosk.

Both offices below handle ordinary new-arrival first registration. Attend the office actually booked. If no suitable slot is available and the 30-day requirement may be missed, call 2824 6111 or email enquiry@immd.gov.hk with arrival date, permitted stay and available slots, asking for the applicable arrangement. A 96-working-day booking horizon does not extend the registration requirement.