Immigration HQ set for move to Tseung Kwan O

Rachael Ng

The Immigration Department announced it will be relocating its headquarters from Wan Chai to Tseung Kwan O on June 11. However, services at the old Wan Chai headquarters will continue until further notice.

The Immigration Tower in Wan Chai will continue to provide ID card application and renewal services, while the travel documents office will be moved to the new Tseung Kwan O headquarters.

Individuals who have received collection notices on or before March 10 and have failed to collect their documents in Wan Chai by June 8 will be required to pick up their documents at the new Tseung Kwan O headquarters starting from June 11.

For those who have received collection notices on or after March 11, they will need to collect their travel documents at the Hong Kong Island Travel Documents Issuing Office in Central, also starting from June 11.

Kung Kwok-leung, the assistant principal immigration officer (documents), said that it is necessary to retain ID card services in Wan Chai as there is currently no other office on Hong Kong Island for residents to collect their ID cards.

He also said that the Central office is expected to become busier following the relocation of the headquarters.

"After the relocation, the number of kiosks for applying for travel documents will be increased to six, with four additional kiosks for passport collection. This expansion is expected to double the capacity of the Central office," Kung said.

In addition to the headquarters relocation, the Immigration Department will also be closing its Kwun Tong office on June 8. The Registration of Persons office in Kwun Tong will be relocated to the Tseung Kwan O headquarters starting from June 11.

Those who have not yet collected their travel documents or ID cards at the Kwun Tong office by June 8 can visit the department's temporary office in Manulife Financial Centre, which will operate until the third quarter of next year.

For other documents such as the Certificate of Exemption and Certificate of Registered Particulars, individuals who are unable to collect them at the Kwun Tong office by June 8 will need to pick them up at the new Tseung Kwan O headquarters starting from June 11.

Starting from May 27, individuals will be able to apply to collect their travel documents, documents of identity for visa purposes, and HKSAR re-entry permits at Tseung Kwan O.

The new headquarters will be equipped with additional kiosks to accommodate the increased demand.

Wong Ka-yee, another assistant principal immigration officer (documents), said as of May 7, there were still 3,800 uncollected ID cards at the Kwun Tong office.

"We expect about 11,000 travel documents will be moved to the Kwun Tong temporary office or the new Tseung Kwan O headquarters."

The Immigration Department reminds the public that the notices sent by the department do not contain any personal information, and they do not require any reply or provide any links.

Citizens are encouraged to submit their travel document applications online to alleviate the pressure on the offices in all districts.