Apply Early For Your Passport!
As the June school holidays are approaching, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would like to remind you to apply early for a new passport if you planning to travel abroad during this period. Do make an e-Appointment to avoid the last minute rush and you do not need to queue to collect your passport during peak hours.
Many ways to apply for your passport
2. Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months as part of their entry requirements. Singapore citizens whose passport has less than six months’ validity are reminded to apply for their new passports early to avoid facing any inconvenience for their overseas travel. ICA has various modes of application for the Singapore passport:
· Online
Complete and submit an electronic application via APPLES (Application for Passport On-Line Electronic System) through the ICA website (http://www.ica.gov.sg). Scanned photos of the passport applicant must be submitted online.
· By Post
Mail the completed application form to ICA at the following address:
Passports Unit
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
ICA Building
10 Kallang Road, #08-00
Singapore 208718
· Deposit Boxes
Drop the completed application form in the deposit boxes located outside the ICA Building or at Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the building. The deposit boxes located outside ICA Building are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Complete your application transaction using one of the self-service kiosks at the [email protected], located at the ground level of the ICA Building during office hours.
· Over the Counter
Submit your application at the ICA Building at Level 3.
3. Passport application forms can be downloaded from the ICA website. The forms are also available at Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the ICA Building. Colour photos submitted with the application must be taken within the last three months, and taken against a white background with matt or semi-matt finish.
4. Singapore citizens submitting their passport applications online, by post, deposit box or via the [email protected] are entitled to a $10 rebate and will only pay $70 instead of $80 for the passport.
Convenient ways to collect your passport
5. A successful applicant will be notified by post to collect the new passport once it is ready. A passport collection notification card will be mailed to the applicant within one week from the date the application is received by ICA. Upon receipt of the notification card, Singapore citizens are encouraged to make an appointment via the ICA website to collect their passports to avoid having to queue during peak hours. Walk-in customers can expect to wait much longer for passport services.
6. Alternatively, Singapore citizens may choose to collect their passports from selected Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) outlets (refer to Annex). Passport applicants who are suitable for this service will be informed through the passport collection notification card and by email if they apply for a passport through APPLES. Those who wish to enjoy this service can select the preferred venue for collection via the e-Appointment system. A service fee will be charged by SingPost for this service.
7. Singapore citizens can also choose to collect their passports using the self-service machine, iCollect that is located at the [email protected] in ICA Building. Similarly, those who are suitable to use this service will be informed through the passport notification card and by email if they apply for a passport through APPLES. Those who wish to collect their passport at iCollect will need to make an appointment via the e-Appointment system on the ICA website.
Peak periods to avoid
8. Singapore citizens are advised to avoid coming to the ICA Building for passport services during the busy periods, i.e. on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, school holidays, the eve of public holidays and the day after.
Coming to ICA Building
9. The ICA Building is conveniently located at 10 Kallang Road, accessible via various modes of public transport such as the MRT, taxi and bus. If you are driving, there is an URA open car park opposite the building. There are also other car parks nearby. Please refer to the location map below for more details.
10. New passports issued will be valid for five years. For subsequent applications, the new passports issued will be valid for five years plus the remaining validity from your existing passport, capped at five years and nine months.
• Example A
Your passport expires on 16 January 2014. You apply for a new passport on 16 November 2013 (two months from expiry). The expiry date of your new passport will be five years and two months later i.e. 16 January 2019.
• Example B
Your passport expires on 16 December 2014. You apply for a new passport on 16 November 2013 (one year and one month before expiry) as your passport has run out of pages or you need to update your photo. The expiry date of your new passport will be five years and nine months later (as the remaining validity exceeds nine months) i.e. 16 August 2019.
• Example C
Your passport has already expired on 12 December 2012. You apply for a new passport on 12 November 2013. The expiry date of your new passport will be 12 November 2018.
Efficient service for our customers is our priority
11. ICA is committed to serving all our customers efficiently and expeditiously. However, longer waiting times are inevitable if Singapore citizens choose to turn up at the ICA Building for the same service during the peak periods. We seek your understanding and cooperation to apply for passports early, then make an e-Appointment for the collection at ICA Building, choose one of the SingPost outlets or iCollect for collection to avoid longer waiting time for your passport services.
12. We would also like to remind you to ensure that you are carrying your own passport before presenting yourself for immigration clearance at the checkpoints. ICA has detected a number of cases where travellers presented the wrong passports for immigration clearance. This has affected clearance efficiency and caused inconvenience to other checkpoint users.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
14 MAY 2014
Annex
List of designated SingPost outlets
Geographical Location
SingPost Outlets
Central
Bishan, Bukit Merah Central, Crawford, Orchard, Tanglin, Tanjong Pagar and Toa Payoh Central
West
Bukit Batok Central, Choa Chu Kang Central, Ghim Moh Estate, Jurong Point, Jurong West, IMM and Clementi Central
East
Bedok Central, Hougang Central, Singapore Post Centre, Marine Parade, Tampines Central and Pasir Ris Central
North, North-West, North-East
Ang Mo Kio Central, Yishun Central, Woodlands Central, Bukit Panjang, Sengkang Central, Bukit Timah and Serangoon Central