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It should, however, be noted that the *** symbol has no bearing on the holder's right of abode in Hong Kong or his or her national status. Persons who are not Hong Kong permanent residents can also possess identity cards with the *** symbol.
The *** symbol was created in the 1983 Identity Card Re-issue Exercise. It simply denotes that the holder is of the age of 18 years or over and is eligible for a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit. The Hong Kong Re-entry Permit is a document issued to facilitate travel to and from China and/or Macau. The following persons are eligible for a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit:-
(i)
(ii)
persons wholly or partly of Chinese race who have either acquired the right of abode in Hong Kong or been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong; and
persons not of Chinese race who have been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong but cannot obtain national passports and do not hold travel documents of any countries or other regions.
With the implementation of the Easy Travel Scheme in 1987, holders of Hong Kong Identity Cards with the *** symbol are exempted from producing Hong Kong Re-entry Permits or other travel documents at Hong Kong immigration control points for journeys to and from all places including China and Macau.
The procedure for both types of applications is the same. The applicant will be required to apply in person with a duly completed application form, and to have his thumbprint and photograph taken for the production of a new identity card. The processing time for an application for addition or deletion of the *** symbol is 15 working days.
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