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Before registering for the issue of a permanent identity card, an applicant will need to show that he/she is eligible to do so under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Cap 177, and the Registration of Persons Regulations, Cap 177A. Hence, the applicant should apply for verification of his/her eligibility for a permanent identity card. He/She must be staying in Hong Kong legally when submitting this application. Under the law, where a person claims that he/she has the right of abode in the HKSAR, the burden of proving the claim shall lie on that person.

A person should not submit the application to verify his/her eligibility if he/she is qualified to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement under section 2AB of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap 115), has not been issued with such a Certificate, and is currently residing in Mainland China. If the person was born outside Hong Kong to a HKSAR permanent resident, is ordinarily residing in Mainland China, and claims to be a permanent resident of the HKSAR under paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance, he/she should establish his/her claim to the right of abode in the HKSAR with a valid Certificate of Entitlement affixed to a valid ‘Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao’ (commonly known as 'One-way Permit').

• Children under the age of 11 with their Hong Kong permanent resident status established as indicated in their Hong Kong birth certificates normally need not apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card. They can apply for a permanent identity card directly when they reach the age of 11.
• Such children, if holding a valid foreign travel document, may apply for an endorsement to be made in their travel document stating their eligibility for a permanent identity card verified for travel convenience. Such applications can be made by submitting an application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card by their parents or guardians.
• If the applicant is required to be registered for a Hong Kong identity card under the Registration of Persons Regulations, he/she should report to a registration officer at the relevant Registration of Persons Office even if he/she has applied for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card.
• If the applicant needs to leave Hong Kong, he/she should hold a valid travel document to avoid any inconvenience or delay upon immigration clearance.
• If the applicant is subject to a limit of stay in the HKSAR, he/she should apply for an extension of stay at the relevant Immigration Office before the expiry of his/her current limit of stay if his/her application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card is not yet finalised.

Applying

Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card

To apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card, the applicant will need to complete the application form, which is available through the following link:

When submitting the application, the applicant will need to include copies of the following documents:

1. Hong Kong identity card (if any) and travel document showing the applicant's current condition of stay in Hong Kong; and
2. The appropriate documentary proof in support of the applicant's claim to the status of a permanent resident of the HKSAR:

• The applicant's Hong Kong birth certificate

• Proof of 7 years continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, such as school documents, employment proof, official receipts, bank statements or income tax receipts.
• Travel document showing entry to Hong Kong and the applicant's current condition of stay in the HKSAR (such as One-way Permit and Document of Identity)

• The applicant's birth certificate (showing his/her name and those of his/her parents)
• Hong Kong permanent identity card of the parent
• Evidence showing the time when the parent acquired permanent resident status in Hong Kong, such as a travel document

• Proof of 7 years continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong immediately before the date of the application for permanent resident status, such as school documents, employment proof, official receipts, bank statements or income tax receipts
• Travel document showing entry to Hong Kong and the applicant's current condition of stay in the HKSAR

• The applicant's Hong Kong birth certificate
• Hong Kong permanent identity card of the parent

• Documentary proof of having the right of abode in Hong Kong

• The applicant's identity documents, including travel document such as birth certificate, registration certificate, naturalisation certificate
• Proof of 7 years' continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, such as school documents, employment proof, official receipts, bank statements or income tax receipts.
• Proof of permanent resident status by descent, such as :-
• By maternal descent - mother’s birth certificate or naturalisation certificate ;
• By paternal descent - father’s birth certificate or naturalisation certificate and parents’ marriage certificate.

The applicant will be notified in writing to give more information, if required.

3. If the applicant is a non-Chinese citizen resident in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years immediately before his/her application for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card, he/she is required to provide information and make a declaration that he/she has taken Hong Kong as his/her only place of permanent residence. The applicant's declaration should be made on Form ROP146, to be submitted with the application, which can be accessed through the following link.

4. If the applicant is aged under 18, the parent or legal guardian's identity card or travel document and proof of relationship with the applicant is also required.

5. Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

By Post

The applicant can submit application form, duly completed and signed together with copies of supporting documents, by post to

Right of Abode Section
3rd Floor, Administration Tower,
Immigration Headquarters,
61 Po Yap Road,
Tseung Kwan O,
New Territories

Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)

Drop-in
Alternatively, the applicant can deposit his/her application form, duly completed and signed together with copies of supporting documents, into the drop-in boxes provided by the Immigration Department.

Online

The applicant can also use a convenient online service to submit the application for verification of eligibility for permanent identity card via the following link. The following link will provide further information on what to do when preparing to submit an online application, the supporting documents to be included, the file formats for online submission, how to complete the online submission process and where to find out more information about the right of abode in the HKSAR.

After Applying

Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card

After an applicant's eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified, his/her condition of stay in Hong Kong, if any, will be cancelled. If the applicant is aged 11 or over, he/she is required to attend in person at the Registration of Persons Office to apply for a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Applicants aged under 11 holding valid foreign travel documents may apply for an endorsement to be made in their valid foreign travel documents stating that their eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified.

• Fee Tables
• Frequently Asked Questions

Before Applying

Application for Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons residing outside Hong Kong who claim to be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 115) and apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the HKSAR.

Applicants will be eligible to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement if they are of Chinese nationality and were born outside Hong Kong to a parent who, at the time of their birth, was:

• A Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR; or
• A Chinese citizen who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the HKSAR.

Under normal circumstances, ninety five percent of applications will be finalised within 3 months upon receipt of all necessary documents. However, this standard does not apply to applications involving doubtful claims of parent/child relationships or doubtful information and also depends on the number of applications received at the time.

Applying

Application for Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement through the office of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau where their household registration is kept.

Application Form

Applicants need to obtain an application form from the public security offices in the Mainland where their household registration is kept.

Supporting Documents

In general, the following documents are required:

• Applicant’s birth certificate;
• Document(s) showing the immigration status at place of residence of the applicant;
• Valid travel document(s) of the applicant;
• Hong Kong permanent identity card(s) of the applicant’s parents; and
• Marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents (if any).

Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their application. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link.

Application Submission

Applicants should submit completed application form and supporting documents to the office of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau or department of the Bureau of the Exit-Entry Administration where their household registration is kept. The Public Security Office concerned will verify the relevant information in the application and then refer the case to the Immigration Department for verification.

Further Information

More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link.

Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement from overseas countries only if they are residing there.

Application Form

The application form (ID881) is available through the following link. If applicants are under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please complete the form in English or Chinese, in black or blue ink.

Supporting Documents

In general, the following documents are required:

• Applicant’s birth certificate;
• Document(s) showing the immigration status at the place of residence of the applicant;
• Valid travel document(s) of the applicant;
• Hong Kong permanent identity card(s) of the applicant’s parents; and
• Marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents (if any).

Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their applications. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link.

Photograph

Applicants need to affix one recent photograph of themselves to the box marked on the first page of the application form. The size of the photograph must not be larger than 55mm x 45mm and not smaller than 50mm x 40mm. The photograph should be taken full face and without a hat.

Application Submission

Applicants residing overseas should submit the completed application form and supporting documents through the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in the country or territory where they are residing [Note] , or by post to the Immigration Department at the following address.

Certificate of Entitlement Section
7th Floor, Administration Tower,
Immigration Headquarters,
61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O,
New Territories

Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)

[Note]:
Some Chinese diplomatic and consular missions have implemented the arrangement that applications for visas for Hong Kong from persons holding foreign ordinary passports will be handled by the "Chinese Visa Application Service Center". Applicants may contact the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission for details.

Further Information

More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link.

Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement in the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) or Taiwan only if they are residing there.

Application Form

The application form (ID881) is available through the following link. If applicants are under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please complete the form in English or Chinese, in black or blue ink.

Supporting Documents

In general, the following documents are required:

• Applicant’s birth certificate;
• Document(s) showing the immigration status at the place of residence of the applicant;
• Valid travel document(s) of the applicant;
• Hong Kong permanent identity card(s) of the applicant’s parents; and
• Marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents (if any).

Applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with their applications. Genetic test may also be required. Information on genetic test arrangements is available through the following link.

Photograph

Applicants need to affix one recent photograph of themselves to the box marked on the first page of the application form. The size of the photograph must not be larger than 55mm x 45mm and not smaller than 50mm x 40mm. The photograph should be taken full face and without a hat.

Application Submission

Applicants residing in the Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan should submit their applications by post to the Immigration Department at the following address.

Certificate of Entitlement Section
7th Floor, Administration Tower,
Immigration Headquarters,
61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O,
New Territories

Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)

Further Information

More information on applying for a Certificate of Entitlement is available through the following link.

Under normal circumstances, ninety five percent of applications will be finalised within 3 months upon receipt of all necessary documents. However, this standard does not apply to applications involving doubtful claims of parent-child relationships or doubtful information. The number of applications received at the time could also lengthen the processing period.

Application for a Certificate of Entitlement is free of charge.