Immigration Department Expands Self-application Services for Hong Kong Identity Cards and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports from March 23rd

Immigration Department expands self-application services for Hong Kong identity cards and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports

The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (March 20) that the service scope of the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) will be expanded with effect from March 23 to cover more eligible applicants for Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports in a self-service manner at the PDSKs.

Application for HKICs

Currently, persons aged 18 or above holding a valid locally issued smart identity card may submit the following types of identity card replacement applications at the PDSKs without the need to make an appointment:

• Replacement ofan adult identity card for persons reaching the age of 18 who hold an identity card for persons aged 11 to 17; and

• Replacement ofa permanent identity card for persons whose eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified.

Starting from March 23, the services of the PDSKs will cover replacement applications for lost identity cards from eligible persons aged 18 or above. Applicants may submit their replacement applications at the PDSKs without the need to make an appointment.

Application for HKSAR passports

Currently, holders of a valid locally issued permanent identity card or an Acknowledgement of Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card may submit the following types of HKSAR passport applications at the PDSKs without the need to make an appointment:

• First application (not applicable to persons aged below 11); and

• Normal replacement (due to expiry of the passport).

Starting from March 23, eligible HKSAR passport applicants aged 18 or above may also apply at the PDSKs for passport replacement in cases of loss, damage, defacement or unavailability. Similarly, applicants may submit their replacement applications at the PDSKs without the need to make an appointment.

Eligible applicants may choose to apply for an identity card and an HKSAR passport through the PDSKs in one go. The PDSKs are located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. For the types of applications covered by the PDSKs, as well as their locations and service hours, please refer to the Annex. The above information is also available on the ImmD website (www.immd.gov.hk) and the ImmD mobile application.

For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by the enquiry hotline (2824 6111), fax (2877 7711) or email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

The Immigration Department (ImmD), Photo source: reference image

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 20) released the latest grading of water quality for 10 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming, including six that are open to swimmers all year round and four others that are open for swimming since March 1.

Nine beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Casam Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Silver Mine Bay Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach

Silverstrand Beach

Golden Beach

Stanley Main Beach

Lido Beach

Grade 2 beach is:

Big Wave Bay Beach

Compared with the grading released last week, Casam Beach and Lido Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1.

Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.

A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).

Source: AI-found images