[6] The current HKID, named as the new smart identity card, features multiple security, durability and chip technology enhancements.

New immigrants subsequently became known colloquially as "green stampers" (Chinese: 綠印客; Cantonese Yale: luhk yan haak).

From 24 October 1980, carrying an identity card in public areas and showing it when requested by a police or immigration officer became compulsory.

On 1 June 1987, the Immigration Department produced cards without the coat of arms of British Hong Kong,[8] which would last through the handover on 1 July 1997.

The introduction of smart identity cards was motivated partly to speed up processing at Hong Kong's Immigration checkpoints, especially with Shenzhen, China.

The card is equipped with built-in radio frequency identification, expanded storage for higher-resolution photo, hologram background, rainbow printing, and micro-printed text.

Permanent HKID holders have the Right of Abode (Chinese: 居留權; Cantonese Yale: Gēuilàu kyùn) in Hong Kong.

Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, a person who belongs to one of the following categories is a permanent resident of the HKSAR with right of abode privileges: Paper versions of the Hong Kong Identity card (such as the one on the right) are issued by the Registration of Persons Office for temporary use until a smart card can be manufactured.

Hong Kong residents over age 15 are required to carry legal identification with them at all times (that is, the HKID card).

A Hong Kong ID card bears a number of symbols in Roman letters under the date of birth (for example: ***AZ, AO, CO) Up until the issue of Smart ID cards, which were issued commencing from 2003, the sex of the holder was also shown in the codes under the date of birth (for example for example ***AFZ, AMO, CFO).

It is also noted that the check digit in brackets is not part of the identity card number, but appended solely to facilitate computer data processing.

The other difference between the first and second generation cards is the replacement of the coat of arms from the back, which was done to remove any colonial features in preparation for the handover in 1997.It is common for Chinese Hong Kongers to adopt western-style English names (such as John, Mary, etc.

Montserratian authorities allow to enter with any proof of identity (even driving licence) [22] Some foreign territories require Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders to present their HKID as well to benefit from a visa exemption scheme: these places include Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Only HKSAR passport holders who were not born in Hong Kong or Macau are required to possess HKID when entering Taiwan.

HKID holders who possess right of abode or right to land are automatically eligible to use the e-Channel when arriving at or departing from Hong Kong.

The e-Channel is not available when using an HKSAR passport and the person must clear immigration at an inspection counter if he or she arrives at or depart from a port of entry without HKID.

Non-permanent residents are also eligible if they hold a Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or if they are successfully registered for e-Channel.

On-site Identity Card Replacement Service will continuously be provided to residential care homes (RCHs) and persons with disabilities (PwDs) across the territory.