The City Office is not the competent authority who enforces the new scheme. Just go to the immigraiton office nearby.I just came back from talking to one of the guys down at the City office about this. I was surprissed by him saying that it is silly how permanent residents have to do this( well actually I was hoping he would say that). This is the only beef I have with this new system.
I am also surprised to hear you did not know this. Sorry if your local city office in your home country would know everything.