Hong Kong: Information on the certificate of identity
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HKG15325.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Hong Kong: Information on the certificate of identity, 1 November 1993, HKG15325.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abd18f.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An immigration officer of the High Commission of Great Britain in Ottawa provided the following information on the above subject during a telephone interview on 4 November 1993. The Hong Kong authorities issue certificates of identity, which are travel documents, to stateless individuals arriving from China who wish to travel abroad. Holders of these travel documents are entitled to reside and work in Hong Kong as long as their travel documents are valid. Certificate-of-identity holders are not entitled to automatic citizenship in Hong Kong. The process for acquiring citizenship is totally different from that of acquiring a certificate of identity.
The period of validity of certificates of identity is ten years for persons over 18 years of age while it is five years for individuals under 18 years of age. The latter can have their expired certificates extended for five more years. In both cases, provided holders still reside in Hong Kong, certificates of identity can be further extended upon expiry.
The certificates of identity of individuals who have acquired landed immigrant status in another country are invalid. Such individuals who wish to travel abroad must apply for a travel document to the authorities of the country which has granted them landed immigrant status.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
High Commission of Great Britain, Ottawa. 4 November 1993. Telephone interview with representative.
