Service category
Application for HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes
A. Introduction
Hong Kong residents who are not eligible for the HKSAR Passport may apply for the HKSAR
Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I), which can serve as their travel documents. The HKSAR
Doc/I is valid for 7 years.
The new HKSAR Electronic Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (e-Doc/I) is machine-readable to
facilitate immigration clearance at foreign immigration control points that are equipped with machine-
reading facilities. It is also embedded with a contactless chip that contains the holder’s personal data and
photograph. It complies with the standard of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
B. Eligibility
A person is eligible for a Doc/I if he/she meets one of the following requirements:
(a) He/she is on limit of stay in the HKSAR and is unable to obtain a national passport or a travel
document of any other country or territory;
(b) He/she is on unconditional stay but does not have the right of abode in the HKSAR, and is unable to
obtain a national passport or a travel document of any other country or territory; or
(c) He/she is not of Chinese nationality who has the right of abode in the HKSAR and holds a permanent
identity card of the Region but is unable to obtain a national passport or a travel document of any other
country or territory.
C. Supporting Documents
An application with insufficient supporting documents will not be processed and will be returned to the
applicant. Additional documents or information may be required if necessary. Providing the correct
supporting documents will facilitate the processing of the application.
Application for Persons Aged 16 or Above
The applicant should provide the following documents together with the application:
(a) Hong Kong identity card;
(b) Documentary evidence of his/her legal residence in the HKSAR; and
(c) Existing Doc/I if he/she is applying for a replacement. If the applicant's previous Doc/I has been lost,
damaged or is not available, he/she must complete (Form ID 645) to explain the circumstances and
apply in person for a replacement.
Additional Requirements for Applicants Aged 16 or 17
(d) Consenting parent or legal guardian to complete and sign section 6 of the application form (Form ID
437) to confirm his/her consent to the application;
(e) The Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s) of the consenting parent or legal guardian;
(f) Birth certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) to prove
his/her relationship with the consenting parent, or a court order, if appropriate, to prove that the
consenting legal guardian has custodial rights in respect of him/her; and
(g) If the applicant is married, only his/her marriage certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong
Kong Immigration Department) is required. Parental or legal guardian's consent and items (d) to (f) are
not required.
Note: If an applicant submits the application by post or via the drop-in box, he/she is required to provide
the original form(s) and photocopies of the documents listed above. The originals of such documents
together with the applicant’s previous Doc/I (if appropriate) must be produced upon collection of the
new Doc/I.
Application for Children Aged under 16
The consenting parent or legal guardian should provide the following documents together with the
child's application:
(a) The child's Hong Kong identity card (if appropriate);
(b) The Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s) of the consenting parent or legal guardian;
(c) Documentary evidence of the child's legal residence in the HKSAR;
(d) The child's birth certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department)
to prove the relationship between the consenting parent and the child, or a court order, if applicable, to
prove that the legal guardian concerned has custodial rights in respect of the child; and
(e) The child’s existing Doc/I if he/she is applying for a replacement. If the previous Doc/I has been lost,
damaged or is not available, the parent or legal guardian must write to explain the circumstances in
(Form ID 645) and apply in person for a replacement.
Additional Requirements for Children Aged under 11
(f) The latest school document bearing the child's photograph authenticated by the school (e.g. student
handbook or school record card bearing the child’s name, date of birth and photograph) or other proofs
of identity are required. If such school document or proof of identity is not available, a completed Form
for Countersignature (ID641) together with a photocopy of the Hong Kong identity card or valid travel
document(s) bearing the counter signatory’s signature will be required.
Note: If the child's application is submitted by post or via drop-in box, the consenting parent or legal
guardian is required to provide the original form(s) and photocopies of the documents listed above. The
originals of such documents together with the child's previous Doc/I (if appropriate) must be produced
upon collection of the new Doc/I.
D. Application Forms
Application form (Form ID 437) for persons aged 16 or above
Application form (Form ID 437A) for children aged under 16
(If Necessary) Form for Counter signature (Form ID 641)
(If Necessary) Details of previous Hong Kong Travel Document which has been lost / damaged /
defaced / is not available (Form ID 645)
E. Processing Time
The Immigration Department pledges to complete the processing of local applications for HKSAR Doc/I
in 5 working days (i.e. Monday to Friday, excluding General Holidays) after receiving all necessary
documents, a photograph and the application fee. In general, applicants can obtain the new HKSAR
Doc/I on the next working day after the completion of the processing by the Immigration Department.
For applications submitted by post or via drop-in box, an extra 2 to 3 working days may be required.
F. Fee
HK$3800 HKSAR Document of Identity valid for 7 years (44 or 92-page)
