More than 180,000 Hong Kong residents have yet to replace old identity cards

More than 180,000 Hong Kong residents have yet to replace their old identity cards despite a renewal programme launching about five years ago, immigration authorities have said.

The Immigration Department revealed the latest figures on Tuesday as it announced it would invalidate the old identity cards for residents born in certain years starting in May 2025, although the cancellation would not affect the right of abode status of the holders.

It said about 90 per cent of Hong Kong identity card holders had obtained a new version of the document with improved security features under a replacement exercise that began in December 2018.

Deputy Director of Immigration Tai chi-yuen said an estimated 182,000 locals had yet to replace their ID cards, and he believed most of them were living overseas.

The invalidation of old ID cards would be carried out in two phases.

“Those who were born in or after 1970, their old ID cards will be invalidated on May 12, 2025,” Tai said.

For those born in or before 1969, their old ID cards will be cancelled on October 12 next year.