Hongkongers will receive the first instalment of the government’s most recent digital consumption voucher scheme starting Thursday, April 7. During the first phase of the scheme, eligible people – including permanent residents and new arrivals to the city aged 18 and over – will receive $5,000. The remaining $5,000 will be disbursed in mid-2022.
This year’s Consumption Voucher Scheme (CVS) was announced as part of Hong Kong’s 2022-2023 budget in February, and is meant to stimulate Hong Kong’s economy and serve as a leisure boost for the fifth-wave-raged population.
How will people receive their vouchers?
Those who have already registered for the 2021 consumption vouchers do not need to sign up for this year’s scheme if they wish to use the same electronic wallets or Octopus cards they did previously. They will receive their vouchers directly through their stored value facility (SVF) accounts on April 7.
E-wallets: Those who opted to receive their vouchers on AliPay, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay will get the full $5,000 on their SVF account. This money will be valid until October 31, 2022.
Octopus cards: Those who get their vouchers on their Octopus cards will receive the $5,000 in two instalments due to the system’s storage limit. The first instalment of $4,000 can be collected by tapping their 2021 CVS-registered Octopus cards at designated places on April 7. Once the card user’s cumulative total eligible spending has reached $4,000, they can tap their cards to receive the remaining $1,000 on the 16th of the following month. The earliest Octopus users can get this money is June 16, and the latest is November 16 of this year.
FAQs about this consumption voucher scheme
Can I change the way in which I receive my vouchers?
Those who want to get their vouchers on a different platform than the one they got last year’s vouchers can only redeem their vouchers during Phase II of this year’s CVS. However, if their previous SVF account has become invalid, they have to amend their registration record by post. Owners of lost or invalid Octopus cards that were used for the 2021 CVS can change their registration details here or call the Octopus hotline at 2969 5500.
Can new applicants for the scheme receive vouchers?
New applicants can only register during Phase II of this year’s CVS.
Header image credits: Spacing Magazine via Flickr
