Apply For Passports Early To Avoid Last - Minute Rush
If you are planning to travel during the week-long school break in March, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would like to remind you to check that your passport has at least six months’ validity on the day you plan to leave Singapore. If the expiry date is approaching, do apply for a new passport with the ICA soon! Make an appointment to avoid last minute rush and having 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. Singaporeans whose passport has less than six months’ validity are reminded to apply for their new passports early to avoid inconvenience overseas. ICA has various modes of application for the Singapore passports:
· Online
Complete and submit an electronic application via the APPLES (Application for Passport On-Line Electronic System) through ICA website (http://www.ica.gov.sg). Scanned photos of the passport applicant must be submitted online.
· 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.
· By Post
Mail the completed application form to ICA at the following address:
Passport Section
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
ICA Building
10 Kallang Road, #08-00
Singapore 208718
· Over the Counter
Submit your application form at the ICA Building at Level 3.
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.
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. Singaporeans 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, Singaporeans are encouraged to make an appointment via the ICA website to collect their passport. Those who make the e-Appointment are served within a shorter time because priority will be accorded to them. Fewer counters are dedicated for walk-in customers who can expect to wait much longer for passport services.
6. Alternatively, Singaporeans may choose to collect their passports from 29 selected Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) outlets (refer to Annex). Passport applicants who are eligible for this service will be informed through the passport collection notification card or 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.
Peak periods to avoid
7. Where possible, Singaporeans are advised to avoid coming to the ICA Building for passport services during the busy periods, ie. on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, school holidays, the eve of public holidays and the day after.
Coming to ICA Building
8. 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.
Full validity granted even for early renewal
9. New passports issued will be valid for five years. For renewal applications, the new passports issued will be valid for five years plus the remaining validity from your existing passport, capped at five years nine months. That means even if you renew your passport early, the remaining validity in the existing passport will be transferred to your new passport, up to a maximum duration of nine months.
· Example A
Your passport expires on 16 January 2014. You renew your passport on 16 November 2013 (two months from expiry). The expiry date on your new passport will be five years two months later ie. 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 on your new passport will be five years nine months later (as the remaining validity exceeds nine months) ie. 16 August 2019.
· Example C
Your passport has already expired on 12 December 2012. You renew your passport on 12 November 2013. The expiry date on your new passport will be 12 November 2018.
Efficient service for our customers is our priority
10. ICA is committed to serving all our customers efficiently and expeditiously. However, longer waiting times are inevitable if Singaporeans 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 or choose one of the SingPost outlets for collection so as to avoid longer waiting time for your passport services.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
21 FEBRUARY 2013
For media queries, please contact:
Brenda Tham
Corporate Communications Division
DID: 6391 6187 | Email: [email protected]
Annex
List of 29 designated SingPost outlets
Geographical Location
SingPost Outlets
Central
Bukit Merah Central, Change Alley, Crawford, Orchard, Tanglin, Tanjong Pagar, Thomson Road and Toa Payoh Central
West
Bukit Batok Central, Choa Chu Kang Central, Clementi Central, Ghim Moh Estate, Jurong Point, Jurong West, IMM
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, Sun Plaza, Woodlands Central, Bukit Panjang, Sengkang Central, Bukit Timah and Serangoon Central