Tamper-proof passports make travel easy

13 Jun 2009

The Straits Times

I REFER to the letters, 'Why insist on new passport just to update kid's photo?' by Mr Alvin Chua (June 5), and 'Growing child' by Ms Annie Koh last Saturday.

The Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) complies with the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This includes the robust security requirement of a 'write once' policy which does not allow any changes to the holder's particulars (including the photograph) once the passport is issued.

In view of this, the BioPass holder has to apply for a new passport if he needs to update any of his personal particulars, which are laser-printed on the biodata page of the passport and encoded in the smart chip on the BioPass. This prevents the passport from being tampered with and used for criminal means.

The security measures adopted for the BioPass in compliance with ICAO standards and requirements are to ensure that the integrity of Singapore passports is not easily compromised by criminals or terrorists. Holding a passport that is trusted internationally as a secure travel document enables Singaporeans to continue to travel with convenience, including to many countries under visa waiver arrangements.

As with most other public services, the passport fee of $80 (or $70 for those who apply online, by post or via deposit box) is determined based on a cost-recovery model. We are unable to waive or charge a lower passport fee for children who apply for a new passport as the cost of producing a BioPass is the same, be it for a child or an adult.

Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division


Why insist on new passport just to update kid's photo?

5 Jun 2009

The Straits Times

MY WIFE and I got a biometric passport for our daughter in 2007, when she was two years old, as we were travelling overseas then. When we travelled again last year, an official at Changi Airport told us the photo in her passport would need to be updated as she had outgrown her look.

This year, when we checked with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, we were told that photo updating was not allowed and we would have to apply for a new passport.

All biometric passports are supposed to be valid for five years and our daughter's passport will not expire until 2012. Yet, because she has outgrown her look, which is to be expected in a growing child in the first five years, we are expected to pay another $80 for a new passport.

She is certain to outgrow her look again in the next few years. Are we expected to apply for a new passport for her�every two or three years?

Alvin Chua

Growing child

6 Jun 2009

The Straits Times

'I was told I would need to get her a new passport, even though her existing one was valid for seven more years.'

MS ANNIE KOH: 'I refer to yesterday's letter by Mr Alvin Chua, 'Why insist on new passport just to update kid's photo?'. I share the same sentiment. My four-year-old daughter has a non-biometric passport issued when she was barely six months old. Last year, I called the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to ask how to change her passport photo. Finding the right officer to talk to was an ordeal. Finally, I was told I would need to get her a new passport, even though her existing one was valid for seven more years. The sad thing is that we were not even notified about this requirement.'