HONG KONG — The Immigration Department announced special extended hours at its Tseung Kwan O headquarters to assist residents impacted by the recent catastrophic No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, ensuring rapid replacement of essential identity and travel documents. Beginning December 1 and running through December 6, these extraordinary services are designed to cut through bureaucratic hurdles and provide immediate relief to those who lost personal documents in the blaze. Simultaneously, the department is deploying staff to local shelter centers to facilitate transportation and expedite applications, reaffirming government support following the disaster.
Expanded Services for Affected Residents
In recognition of the serious losses suffered by the Tai Po community, the Immigration Department has implemented non-traditional operating hours strictly for fire victims. While standard document replacement applications require no appointments during regular office hours at any Immigration office, the dedicated Tseung Kwan O arrangement offers vital after-hours processing.
The special window hours at the headquarters are as follows:
- Monday to Friday (December 1–5): 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday (December 6): 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The department emphasized that these schedules are subject to change based on demonstrated need and will be promptly updated if adjustments are necessary.
Crucial Document Replacement and Fee Waivers
The expedited services cover a comprehensive list of critical personal documents, essential for recovery and stability following the disaster. These include Hong Kong identity cards (HKID); Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) travel documents such as passports, Documents of Identity, and Re-entry Permits; certified copies of Hong Kong birth or marriage records; and applications to extend the limit of stay, alongside requests for records related to current stay conditions.
A significant measure of relief is the waiving of all processing fees for affected applicants regarding Immigration Department documents and extensions of stay. Furthermore, the department aims to fast-track applications, promising a discretionary processing time of just two days for the issuance of relevant documents.
Integrated Support and Mainland Coordination
To maximize accessibility for those displaced, Immigration officers are being stationed at the two remaining operational government shelter centers: Tung Cheong Street Community Hall and Tai Po Community Centre. These officers will organize dedicated transportation to ferry affected residents directly to the Tseung Kwan O headquarters to submit their applications, streamlining a potentially complex process during a time of great stress.
Recognizing the need to replace documents issued by mainland authorities, the Immigration Department has coordinated with the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Group (CTS). The CTS Tseung Kwan O document service center will mirror the special after-hours schedule, allowing residents to simultaneously apply for replacement People’s Republic of China (PRC) issued travel documents, such as the Home Return Permit, alongside their local applications. This coordinated effort ensures that victims can regain full travel and identification capabilities as swiftly as possible, marking a substantial step in the Tai Po community’s recovery.