Originally Posted by Pirveebilbao:
I found this text on the site of legco, about the "***" symbol on the identity cards. I believe the requirements have changed in 1997 from persons from "chinese race" to persons of "chinese nationality".
Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards are issued to persons who have the right of abode in Hong Kong. The categories of persons who are Hong Kong permanent residents are defined in Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). Any of these persons who has attained the age of 18 years or over and who is eligible for Hong Kong Re-entry Permit facilities is also eligible to have the "***" symbol endorsed on his or her Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. Holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards with the "***" symbol may apply for deletion of the symbol if they so wish. They will not be required to give any reason for their applications.
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) 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
(ii) 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.
source(search in the doc for ***):
http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr96-97/engl...d/961127fe.doc