You cannot travel to another country without a valid travel document. If you are a Hong Kong resident but not eligible for an HKSAR Passport, you may apply for the HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I), which can serve as your travel document. Here you can learn more about the Doc/I, who are eligible, the application procedures and where to collect the Doc/I after processing.

The new HKSAR Electronic Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (e-Doc/I) introduced on 5 February 2007, 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).

The HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I) is valid for 7 years. If you are a Hong Kong resident who does not hold an HKSAR Passport or any travel document of any other country, you may be eligible for the Doc/I. You can find out more about the eligibility requirements below.

• More on eligibility for the Doc/I
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hkdoci/eligibility.htm

You may submit your application for the Doc/I either locally or from overseas.

• Local applications
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hkdoci/localapplication.htm
• Overseas applications
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hkdoci/overseasapplication.htm

Local applications

The Immigration Department pledges to complete the processing of all local applications in 10 working days (i.e. Monday to Friday, excluding General Holidays) after receiving all necessary documents, a photograph and the application fee. For applications submitted by post or via drop-in box, an extra 2 to 3 working days may be required for handling formalities. For collection by the HKSAR Travel Documents Local Delivery Service*, an extra 1 to 2 working days may be required. Whether this pledge can be met will also depend on the circumstances of your application and the number of applications received at a particular time. If you have any travel plans, please apply early.

*With effect from 16 September 2008, the selling of the HKSAR Travel Documents Local Delivery Address Pack of the Hong Kong Post will be ceased. Any purchased Address Pack can still be used for the delivery service on or before 4 February 2009.

Overseas applications (applications made outside Hong Kong)

The processing of your Doc/I application from overseas will normally take 4 to 6 weeks after all necessary documents, the photograph and application fee have been received. This does not include the time for forwarding the application and dispatching the prepared Doc/I.

The Immigration Department will notify you about when and where to collect your Doc/I. If you submitted your application in person, you may authorise another person to collect the Doc/I on your behalf.

• Collection of the HKSAR Doc/I
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hkdoci/collection.htm

For enquiries about applying for or collecting your Doc/I, please contact the Immigration Department hotline at (852) 2824 6111 or visit an Immigration Branch Office for travel document applications.

• Frequently asked questions about HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hkdoci/docifaq.htm