Originally Posted by
jiejie
If one's passport is being renewed, or your visa/residence permit is up for annual renewal at the PSB, or if the passport is at a third country Embassy for visa processing, you don't have much of a choice but to temporarily use copies, if you need to travel in the interim.
The PSB can issue a temporary certificate with your photo attached that can be used for boarding flights and checking into hotels. I presume it will also work for trains.