How to apply for a Hong Kong ID card as a Working Holiday Visa holder

Anyone residing in Hong Kong for more than 180 days (6 months) must apply for a Hong Kong ID card upon arrival.

This article will walk through how you can do so.

What is the Hong Kong ID card?

The Hong Kong ID card is an identity card that all residents of Hong Kong must have.

It is a biometric identity card that allows you to do (or simplify) various procedures:

Finding a job: employers will regularly ask to see your card.
Identifying yourself to Hong Kong authorities, such as the police.
At immigration (if you’ve left the territory), you can use the queue reserved for Hong Kong ID card holders, which significantly expedites entry into or departure from Hong Kong.
Borrowing books from public libraries; the card can serve as a library card.

Your Hong Kong ID card displays all your personal information, as well as the details of your visa (validity period, visa type, etc.).

Under your date of birth, the letter C indicates that you are in Hong Kong temporarily and subject to the rules of the Immigration Department. The letter O means you were not born in Hong Kong, Macao, or Mainland China.

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Applying for the Hong Kong ID card

Once your Working Holiday Visa has been validated at immigration, you must apply for your Hong Kong ID card within 30 days.

It is essential that your WHV already be activated, otherwise you will not be able to apply.

If you obtained your visa from within Hong Kong, you must leave the territory and return in order for immigration to validate your visa. Only after this validation can you apply for the Hong Kong ID card.

Step 1: Book an appointment

To apply, you must book an appointment at one of the Registration of Persons Offices (ROP Offices).

Appointments can be made online, via the mobile app, or by phone at (852) 2598 0888.

Appointments can be scheduled up to 96 days in advance. However, since your application can only be made once your WHV has been activated, you won’t be able to book that far ahead.

Information about appointment booking can be found on this website. You can check appointment availability by clicking on “Enquiry to the booking status of Registration of Persons Offices”.

List of Registration of Persons Offices:

Hong Kong Office: 8th floor of Immigration Tower, Wan Chai (probably the most convenient option)
Kowloon Office: Government buildings in Sham Shui Po (3rd floor)
Tseung Kwan O Office: 3rd floor of the Administration Tower
Fo Tan Office: North of Sha Tin in the New Territories
Tuen Mun Office: 3rd floor of the Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex
Yuen Long Office: 1st floor of the Yuen Long Government Offices (west New Territories)

You’ll find full addresses and hours of operation here.

Can I apply without an appointment?

It is possible to go to one of the offices without an appointment, but they have a daily quota for walk-ins. These slots are typically reserved for urgent cases, so there’s no guarantee you’ll be served.

If you decide to try walk-in, it’s recommended to go early in the morning.

Step 2: Pre-fill the application form online

Once you have an appointment, you must pre-fill the ID card application form online. This step can only be completed after you’ve booked the appointment.

If you’re using the mobile app, you can complete the form directly there. Otherwise, you can fill it in on this page.

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can fill out the form at a self-service kiosk in the office.

Here’s a PDF sample of the form that was used before the process went fully digital. It can give you an idea of what information will be required. This PDF form is no longer valid. Now the form must be completed and submitted electronically.

Step 3: Your appointment at the ROP office

1. Upon arrival, go to the reception desk or a self-service kiosk to get a queue number.

2. If you haven’t already pre-filled the form online, you can do it now at the designated kiosks.

3. Go to the registration counter to:

Provide your fingerprints
Have your photo taken
Review your application form and sign it

4. Finally, you’ll see an officer who will review your application and ask to see your passport. At the end of the appointment, you’ll receive a receipt confirming the submission of your application. This receipt includes the date on which you can collect your ID card. If you lose the receipt, you may need to restart the entire process and pay additional fees.

Processing time and collecting the card

Processing time

You can collect your Hong Kong ID card on the date indicated on your receipt, usually 5 working days from your appointment.

During the waiting period, you can use the receipt to, for example, open a bank account or look for a job. This is widely accepted and poses no issue.

Once the card is ready, you have one month to collect it from the ROP office where you submitted your application. If you fail to collect it within this time, it will be destroyed and you’ll have to restart the entire process, including paying fees.

Collecting your card

If you applied at Immigration Tower on Hong Kong Island, go to counter 14 on the 8th floor to collect it.

At the counter:

Present your receipt
They’ll take your thumbprint again
You’ll check your information on a screen to ensure it’s correct

If everything looks good, after a short wait you’ll receive:

Your Hong Kong ID card (credit card-sized)
An information sheet explaining how to care for the card and its various uses

This entire process takes just a few minutes.

The first issuance of the card is free. In case of loss, you must apply for a replacement within 30 days. The replacement fee is HK$370.

Also read How to open a bank account in Hong Kong and make transfers