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Population and Immigration
illegal immigrants were arrested, 92 per cent more than in 2014. The department maintains close liaison with the Mainland and overseas governments on matters relating to population movements and irregular migration.
Personal Documentation
Travel Documents
The department issues HKSAR electronic passports (HKSAR e-Passports), embedded with a contactless integrated chip containing the holder's personal data and facial image as the biometric identifiers in accordance with the standards specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The department strictly controls the issue of HKSAR passports, issuing them only to Hong Kong permanent residents who are Chinese citizens with the right of abode in the HKSAR holding valid Hong Kong permanent identity cards.
Eligible applicants aged 11 or above may submit HKSAR passport applications in person, by post, through drop-in boxes or round the clock via the GovHK website. Eligible applicants aged 18 or above may also submit applications via self-service kiosks at the six Immigration Branch Offices, while those aged 11 or above may use the self-service kiosk at the Immigration headquarters. Applicants living overseas may submit their applications through the nearest Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. During 2015, 762,114 HKSAR passport applications were received, including 6,799 from overseas.
The HKSAR Passports Appeal Board handles appeals against rejections of passport applications. It received seven appeals in 2015. The department continued lobbying for greater immigration convenience, including visa-free access for HKSAR passport holders. In 2015, Zambia agreed to grant visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders while Laos agreed to visa-on-arrival access. By the end of the year, 152 countries and territories had granted visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to HKSAR passport holders.
Other travel documents issued by the department include the Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/l) and the Re-entry Permit (REP). The Doc/l is issued for international travel to Hong Kong residents who are not eligible for the HKSAR passport and are unable to obtain a passport or travel document of any other country or territory. The REP is issued to Hong Kong residents to travel to the Mainland and Macao. In 2015, 47,207 Doc/ls and 106,267 REPS were issued.
Identity Cards
The department also issues identity cards to Hong Kong residents. There are two types: the Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card for residents who have the right of abode in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Identity Card for residents who do not have that right.
Except those who are required to obtain Certificates of Entitlement, people who are claiming right of abode in the HKSAR must apply for verification of their eligibility for a permanent identity card. In 2015, 70,082 applications were received and 58,612 were approved.
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