2026 HK Right of Abode: Entry/Exit Record Proof (ID 697) Requirements
Applying for a Hong Kong entry/exit record proof (出入境紀錄證明) in 2026 means filing form ID 697 with two companions attached: the acknowledgement card ID 697A and the mailing label ID 839. The requirement is identical whether the application goes by post or is handed in. This follows the Immigration Department's official page "Application for Entry/Exit Record" (申請出入境紀錄證明) for form ID 697.
Which forms have to go with ID 697?
Three items travel together:
- ID 697 — the application form itself. The downloadable PDF runs to 7 pages, is 634 KB in size, and comes in both Chinese and English.
- ID 697A — 認收通知卡, the acknowledgement card.
- ID 839 — 郵寄標籤, the mailing label.
The department states that a completed application form (ID 697) must be submitted together with a completed acknowledgement card (ID 697A) and mailing label (ID 839). It places that same instruction under both submission channels, so there is no version of this application where ID 697 travels on its own.
Before filling anything in, read the 填表須知 (guidance notes) attached to the form.
Where do I send or deliver the application?
| Method | Where to send or deliver | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| By post | 10/F, Immigration Tower, Immigration Department Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories — Records Centre (入境事務處紀錄中心) | Completed ID 697, ID 697A and ID 839 |
| In person | G/F, Immigration Tower, Immigration Department Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories — General Registry (入境事務處收發分組) | Completed ID 697, ID 697A and ID 839 |
Both channels share one building in Tseung Kwan O. Only the floor and the receiving office differ.
Fax is not an option. The page states that no fax application service exists (不設傳真申請服務). Post and in-person delivery are the two channels it lists.
What goes wrong with posted applications?
Two problems, both avoidable:
- Underpaid postage. The department will not accept mail with insufficient postage. Pay the full postage and write your return address on the envelope when you post it.
- A missing companion form. Suppose an applicant posts ID 697 with the acknowledgement card but leaves out the mailing label. The package no longer matches what the page requires, because the department's instruction is that all three items are submitted together.
What does the application cost, and can I open the PDF?
Fee. The ID 697 page prints no amount. It points readers to a separate Immigration Department fees document (ID 912) for application fees, so the department's current published fee table is what governs the figure, and that figure can change.
Opening the form. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.5 or above to view, fill in and print the PDF. To get Chinese characters to display and print correctly, install the Asian font pack (Traditional Chinese) as well.
What the ID 697 page does not cover
That page governs one thing: how to apply for the record. It does not state how long processing takes, how many years of movement history a certificate covers, or how a record is weighed in a right-of-abode or permanent residency assessment. Anything beyond the application itself has to come from the department's other published material, and requirements published later take precedence.
This article is general reference drawn from that page rather than advice on an individual case; for your own circumstances, rely on the department's current published information or a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ID 697A and ID 839 if I apply in person?
Yes. The department repeats the same requirement under both submission channels: a completed ID 697 must be submitted together with a completed acknowledgement card (ID 697A) and mailing label (ID 839). Handing the form in does not remove either companion.
Is there a fax or email channel for ID 697?
The page states that no fax application service exists. Post and in-person delivery are the channels it lists. The email address shown on the page, enquiry@immd.gov.hk, is given for enquiries, alongside the enquiry phone number (852) 2824 6111.
Where exactly is the Records Centre?
It is on 10/F of the Immigration Tower at the Immigration Department Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories. In-person applications go to a different office in the same building, the General Registry (收發分組) on the ground floor.
Will the department accept a posted application if the postage is short?
No. The page says underpaid mail will not be accepted, and asks applicants to pay sufficient postage and to write a return address on the envelope when posting.
How much is the fee for an entry/exit record proof?
The ID 697 page does not list an amount. It refers readers to the Immigration Department's separate fees document (ID 912), so the department's current published fee table is where the applicable figure appears.
What do I need in order to fill in the PDF form?
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.5 or above, plus the Asian font pack (Traditional Chinese) so Chinese characters display and print correctly. The form is bilingual, 7 pages long and about 634 KB.