Membership FAQ
Membership Registration
1. What is the purpose of setting up HKIRC's membership system?
The HKIRC’s Membership System provides a platform for .hk users and stakeholders in the Hong Kong Community to express their interests, comments and suggestions on policies and services related to .hk registration. We believe that, by collecting views from our members, the Company will formulate policies and improve its services in ways that benefit the internet community in Hong Kong. In addition, members of the Company will nominate and elect Directors of the Board in a way to ensure fairness, openness and transparency of the election process.
2. What are the procedures for the election of the Board of Directors?
The whole process of election contains 3 parts:
- Membership Registration
- Candidate Nomination
- Election and Voting
3. What are the member classes making up the HKIRC membership? Can I register more than one member class?
- Demand Class <Click to learn more>
- Supply Class <Click to learn more>
Each Eligible party can only register as member of one of the classes only.
4. Where can I refer to the full version of the M & A?
You can review the M & A at our website at <M & A page>.
5. Who can register as HKIRC members?
Companies, associations, organizations or bodies residing in or registered under Hong Kong law or Hong Kong residents of age 18 or above currently maintaining a valid registration without expiration of one or more Internet domain names under “.hk” or “.香港” will be eligible to register as a member.
6. How can I register as a member?
Interested parties can register as members by completing the online registration process on our membership website, provide required documents to us for vetting, and having the domain registrant confirm the membership application by clicking the link on the email HKIRC sent within the period specified.
* Please note that we will not accept the applicant to become a HKIRC member if the applicant completes the online registration process only.
7. What should I be aware of when filling out the online registration form?
If you are representing a company, you must be 18 years of age or above. Also, please ensure that you are authorized to apply for membership for your company and that it is in existence and solvent.
If you are an individual applicant, please ensure that the information you provided in the online application is correct.
8. Do I need to pay or submit any documentary proof to register a member?
Registering as a member is free of charge. You need to provide documents to HKIRC for vetting. The kinds of document required have been indicated in the process flow and on the application form you need to download.
9. I have more than one domain name, can I register as members for more than one time?
Each organization or individual can register once only.
10. I am an individual. Can I register as a member?
If the domain name was registered under your personal name and re-registration has been completed (click to check the re-registration status at “Whois“), you are eligible to register as members provided that the required Confirmation letter and necessary document have passed our verification.
11. What are the rights of being a member?
An HKIRC member is entitled to the following :
- Nominating candidates standing for election to the Board;
- Seconding a nominated candidate standing for election to the Board;
- One vote at a general meeting of the company; and
- A number of votes, which is equal to the number of vacancies to the Board for the relevant class for the election of the Board of Directors. No Member may cast more than one vote in favour of each candidate
12. How long will be the validity of my membership?
The HKIRC membership will not be terminated unless the registered domain name of the member is not activated, or the member fails to comply with the Rules of Membership, or the member refuses to accept changes made to the Rules of Membership by HKIRC.
13. What can I do if I forgot my login ID or password?
Please go to the Home Page on our website and click ‘Forgot Login Name’ or ‘Forgot Password’ to get back or reset your password.
14. Is the membnership transferable?
The membership is not transferable. However, if the domain name holder has transferred the related domain name to the transferee, the transferee will be eligible to register as new member.
15. How can I contact HKIRC for enquiry?
You can contact us by phone at +852 23192303, by fax to +852 2319 2626, or via email to info@hkirc.hk regarding any membership issues.
16. How long will your information be kept for?
The information you provide to us will be retained for as long as it remains necessary for one or more of the purposes for which it was collected. All personal information provided will be processed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
Membership Modification
1. Where can I find the most updated information of my membership account?
You can review latest information of your membership account on our website at <membership page> after login with password.
2. How can I modify my membership account's information and/or password?
You can modify all information of your account through our website at <membership page> after login with password.
3. What is the process for modifying contact information?
You can modify the contact information of your membership by completing the online procedure at <membership page> according to the following steps:
Step 1 : Login to your membership account by clicking here
Step 2 : Click “Account” and Select “Modify Member Information”
Step 3 : Click “Edit” to change the contact information and click “Submit”
Step 4 : The new contact email address will receive an email for validation
Step 5 : PART II: Follow the instructions in the email to validate your email address
Note: The change takes effect immediately on our system once the validation of the new email address is completed.
4. What is the process for modifying the login password?
You can modify the login password of your membership account by completing the procedure at <membership page> according to the following steps:
Step 1 : Login to your membership account by clicking here
Step 2 : Click “Account” and Select “Change Password”
Step 3 : Input ‘Current Password’ and ‘New Password’ and click “Change”
Note: The change takes effect immediately on our system.
5. When will the modifications on contact information be effective?
The modifications will be put into effect once you have completed the online modification process.
6. Why can't I modify the name of my organization and company representative?
To modify the organization name, please contact us for the detailed procedures. (Note: you may require to re-register as new member again after changing the organization name)
If you want to make change to the representative’s details, please refer to the FAQ section of “Change of Company Representative” below.
A: You can review latest information of your membership account on our website at <membership page>
7. How can I cancel/ stop my modification of contact information if I have submitted wrong information by mistake?
Since the modification is effected right after the submission. You can simply submit another online modification to correct the mistake.
8. Will my name or contact information be disclosed to the public?
Only the name of the member will be posted on our website. However, under the Company Ordinance, we are obligated to provide some of the member’s information to anyone from the general public on their request.
Change of Company Representative
1. What can I do if the current company representative has been changed?
If your company representative has been changed, you should immediately notify HKIRC by submitting a request for changing company representative through our website at https://members.hkirc.hk. You need to download the form to change member’s representative here and provide required documents to us.
2. What is the fee changing company representative?
Modification of contact information is FREE of charge.
3. When will HKIRC update the company representative information after I have applied for the modification of member information?
The information will be updated once you have completed the online modification process, and your provided authorization letter has been verified by us.
4. How can I cancel/ stop my application of changing company representative if I have submitted wrong information by mistake?
Please contact us or stop sending the authorization letter to us so that the application will be cancelled after deadline. If the authorization letter has already been received by us and passed our verification, you can change the company representative back to the original one by submitting another online application on changing company representative.
5. Is there any company representative for individual member?
No, the member that holds the individual ‘.hk’ domain name does not need an authorized representative. Domain name holder per se can represent the membership.
Membership Termination
1. How to delete a membership?
You can submit a deletion application via our website at <membership page>.
2. What is the process for deleting a membership?
You can delete your membership by completing the online procedure at <membership page> according to the following steps:
Step 1: Login to your membership account by clicking here
Step 2: Click “Account” and Select “Modify Member Information”
Step 3: Click ‘Terminate Membership’
Step 4: Domain owner will receive an email for re-confirmation
Step 5: PART II: Follow the instructions in the email to submit the final confirmation for the deletion
* The membership is terminated immediately right after your final confirmation.
3. What is the fee and required documentary proff for deleting a membership?
Deletion is FREE of charge and no document is required.
4. How soon will the deletion be put into effect?
It will be effective immediately right after completing the online application procedures and reconfirmation process.
5. How can I cancel/stop my application of deleting membership?
Since the deletion will be effective immediately, please DO NOT proceed the re-confirmation process, and the application will be cancelled after deadline. Otherwise, you are required to re-register as new member again.
6. Can anyone object the deletion?
As all deletion is submitted with password authentication, no objection can be made. However, you can re-register as new member again if necessary.
7. How do I know whether the deletion is completed?
You will receive an email notification upon completion of the deletion procedure.
Nomination of Candidate Standing for HKIRC Directors
1. When will the nomination start?
Nomination will normally start two to four months before the AGM. We will inform members of the relevant class(es) of the nomination schedule before the beginning of nomination process. You can also visit Members’ Area for the Important News.
2. What is the process for nominating a candidate?
You can follow the steps below to nominate a candidate:
- Download the Director Nomination Form at < Director Nomination Form – Demand Class > for director representing Demand Class of Membership.
- Complete all the information and print out the nomination form
- Duly signed by the Candidate, authorized representatives of the Proposer and Seconder. If Proposer and/or Seconder are corporate member, company chop is required
- Mail the copy of HKID or Passport and original copy of the nomination forms signed by the Candidate, authorized representatives of the Proposer and Seconder to HKIRC office at Unit 501, Level 5, Core C, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Hong Kong. Attn: CEO of HKIRC
- Nomination deadline: 15 April 2024, HKT16:00.
3. What are the requirements for being a Candidate, Proposer and Seconder?
A Candidate, who can either be a member or non-member, must be nominated by one Proposer and supported by one Seconder. The Proposer and Seconder must be valid members in the same class of membership. A valid member must have at least one .hk/.香港 domain name in active status and is unexpired as of the date of 2024 Annual General Meeting.
The Proposer of a particular class of membership, supported by the Seconder of the same class, can nominate one or more Candidates standing for election to the Board of Directors, but the number must equal to the number of Board vacancies of that particular class.
4. How do I know if the candidate has been successfully nominated?
The Proposer, Seconder and Candidate will receive an email notification confirming the acceptance of the said nomination.
5. Any other questions?
For any enquires, please contact us at 2319 2303 or by email hkirc.board@hkirc.hk.
Election and Voting
1. When will the election and voting be started and completed?
The election and voting of AGM 2024 would take place 3-4 weeks before the date of AGM 2024. You can visit Members’ Area for the Important News. All members of the relevant class(es) would be notified before the event takes place.
As an environmentally friendly organization, HKIRC shall send notices of meeting to members by email only. Members please ensure that your email address in the HKIRC membership record is correct. You can visit here and log on to check and update your email address.
2. What shall I be aware of when filling in the voting form?
- For the voting of resolution item(s), each member is allowed to cast one vote for each resolution item.
- Please read the instructions and IMPORTANT NOTES on the form before filling in the form.
- The postal voting form should be signed by the Member’s Authorised Representative or individual member. The form must be duly filled in and bear the signature of the Authorized Representative for organizational member or the signature of member per se for individual member, name of the Authorized Representative(if necessary), name of the member, and the date.
- The email voting form should be duly filled in. Please note that the deadline for email voting and postal voting is earlier than that of the on-site voting for one day.
- If multiple voting forms (either submitted by post or by email) have been received, only the first valid voting form received before the deadline will be counted.
3. Will I be informed of the validity of my vote?
You have to read the instructions on the voting form carefully before filling in the form. No confirmation on vote validity will be sent to the company representative of the member or to the individual member; HKIRC will only inform members by email acknowledging receipt of their voting forms after the auditor had duly received the voting forms.
4. Where can I view the details of the nominee?
You may view the names and personal profiles (if provided) of nominees on HKIRC’s website.
5. How do you ensure the integrity of the election process?
The election process is monitored and verified by the independent auditors. All voting forms will be sent to the independent auditors directly and to be handled by them to ensure the integrity of the election process.
6. Where can I find the election result?
The election results will be announced during the AGM and will also be posted on HKIRC’s website after the election.
7. Can I vote by post/ by email and in person at the same time?
Postal and email ballot are also accepted by HKIRC as valid voting methods; regardless of voting methods, only one valid vote would be counted. Note that once a member decides to cast a vote by post or by email, it subsequently renders the member ineligible to vote in person.
Others
1. How can I get the Index of HKIRC Members?
As with all other companies in Hong Kong under Company Ordinance, registered details of our members are available for inspection on request. You can either come to our office during office hours, or request an email or postal copy. Please send your request to us by email (info@hkirc.hk) or by fax (2319 2626) indicating your legal name and email address / postal address. The copy will be sent to you within 10 days.
2. Supported platforms, browsers, and emails on HKIRC Membership Website
Platform | Operating system |
Windows | Windows 10 or above |
Mac | MacOS 11 or above |
iPhone / iPad | iOS 13.5 or above |
Android | Android 7.0 or above |
Browser | Version |
Chrome | 88 or above |
Firefox | 83 or above |
Safari | 14 or above |
Edge | 88 or above |
Cloud platform | |
MS Outlook O365 | current outlook client, outlook.office.com |
Google Gmail | www.gmail.com |
Yahoo mail | mail.yahoo.com |