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Soft Launch of Long Term Pass Cards for Foreigners
Singapore is introducing a new Long Term Pass (LTP) card to all foreigners residing here on long term Visit Pass, Student’s Pass, Employment Pass and Dependant’s Pass.
Soft Launch of the LTP Card
2 With effect from 13 August 2008, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is soft launching the first batch of LTP cards to selected successful long term Visit Pass applicants who have submitted their applications online via our e-service (e-VP system). These include the following groups:
• Foreign spouses, children or parents of Singapore Citizens renewing their long term Visit Pass;
• Mothers who accompany their school going children, renewing their long term Visit Pass; and
• Foreigners seeking long-term stay to look for employment in Singapore (for Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate holders only);
3 The new LTP cards will be issued (by ICA and the Ministry of Manpower) to all other groups of long term pass holders in subsequent phases. Details on the issuance of the LTP cards to these other groups will be announced closer to the date of implementation.
Fees Payable During Soft Launch Period
4 In this soft launch, which is expected to take place for a month, selected successful long term Visit Pass applicants will be issued with the new LTP cards at the current fee of S$40 per issuance. A visa processing fee of S$30 per issue may also be payable if the applicant comes from a visa-required country.
5 Successful long term immigration pass holders who will be issued with the new LTP card in subsequent phases are expected to a pay an issuance fee of S$60. A new processing fee of S$30 will also be introduced when applicant submits an application for long term Visit Pass. The prevailing visa processing fee will apply for those from visa-required countries.
Processing Time and Collection of New LTP Card During Soft Launch
6 Once an application is approved, an email notification will be sent to the applicant, advising him of the collection procedures. A pre-allocated appointment slot will be given to each successful applicant. Applicants who are unable to make it on the allocated date/time can log on to the e-appointment facility through the ICA website to change the appointment.
7 Applicants who apply online and use our e-appointment facility will benefit by making only 1 trip to the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) in ICA Building for the collection of the LTP cards. Therefore, one can expect to collect the card on the same day after enrolling his biometrics with us. Those who apply over the counter may need to make additional 1-2 trips to VSC (depending on the volume of applications received on that day) before collecting the card. The processing time may be longer during the peak periods.
Material and Design of the LTP Card
Material
8 Like the national identity card (NRIC), the LTP card is made of polycarbonate material, which is resilient and durable.
Design
9 The LTP card is green in colour, with a design that is similar to the NRIC that Singapore citizens and permanent residents carry:
Front Back
Security features
10 The LTP card comes with the same stringent anti-forgery security features found on the NRIC.
(a) Optical variable ink
The words “Republic of Singapore” are printed in optical variable ink and would exhibit a shift in colour from magenta to green when viewed from different angles.
(b) Microline
On both sides of the LTP card a microline that reads “MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS SINGAPORE” will become a black line when the card is photocopied.
(c) Rainbow colour printing
Guilloche patterns form the background of the card, which consist of two rainbow printings – violet-green-violet and green-yellow-green. The rainbow effect is visually stronger on the right of the card and is gradually toned down on the left. This helps to prevent replications of the card through colour-copying or photo-taking, as the rainbow effect will not appear on the replicates.
(d) Laser engraved particulars
The particulars of the card holder are ‘burnt’ into the core of the card using laser engraving technology. Forged cards are unlikely to achieve the same level of clarity.
(e) Multiple laser images
Two multiple laser images (MLI) are found on the card. The first MLI, which is below the holder’s photograph, reflects an image of the holder’s photograph. The second MLI is oval in shape, which clearly show the lion head logo and FIN number when tilted at various angles. The MLI, which has been incorporated into our NRIC since 1991, was proven to be effective against tampering and forgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 A list of Frequently Asked Questions is attached at the ANNEX. A more comprehensive set of questions and answers is also available on ICA’s website at http://www.ica.gov.sg.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
12 August 2008
ANNEX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Would a LTP card holder be required to carry the card with him at all times?
A1: Whilst in Singapore, although the law does not provide for the card holders to be carrying the card at all times, it must be furnished for inspection by an immigration/enforcement officer within reasonable time when requested. On the other hand, the card holder would be required to produce his LTP card during immigration clearance when he is leaving or entering Singapore.
Q2: How do I verify the authenticity of the card?
A2: You should inspect the physical card to make sure that the physical security features are in place. However, one should not stop at visual inspection of the LTP card only. Anyone who wishes to verify the authenticity of the LTP card should make use of VERIFI, an online system that has been in placed since Year 2000, to check if a LTP card presented is still valid or invalid for use.
Q3: How do I take care of the card?
A3: No special care of the card is needed, as it is made of the durable and resilient polycarbonate material. It would be able to last for the entire duration of the immigration pass granted, as long as it is not subjected to an extreme environment/handling.
Q4: What is the procedure for a card replacement if my card expires?
A4: Long term Visit Pass holders seeking to renew their passes should submit their renewal application at least two weeks before their cards expire. The application can be made online via eVP system through the ICA website.
Q5: What should I do if I lose the LTP card?
A5: All LTP card holders should take good care of their cards and prevent lost through negligence. However, if it does happen, the LTP card holder should make a police report immediately and report to ICA within 7 days for a replacement card.
Q6: What should I do with the LTP card if I decide to leave Singapore for good?
A6: All LTP card holders are required to surrender their cards if and when they have decided to leave Singapore for good. The card holder may come to the Visitor Services Centre at Level 4 of the ICA Building to cancel his card. Upon cancellation of the card, he would be granted a short-term stay so that he can make preparations to leave Singapore. Alternatively, the card holder can also surrender the card to an ICA officer at the checkpoint.
Q7: Will I be able to use the automated lanes (i.e. enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System) at the checkpoints?
A7: LTP card holders who have registered their fingerprints for the LTP cards and if their foreign-issued passports are compliant with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation would be able to use the automated lanes at the checkpoints later this year. Details would be provided nearer to its implementation.
Q8: The LTP card does not have a machine-readable zone. Do I have to produce it when I travel? Can it be used to clear immigration?
A8: Yes, you are required to produce your LTP card during immigration clearance when leaving or entering Singapore. The machine-readable zone on the laminated green card has been replaced by the barcode on the LTP card, which encodes the essential information to facilitate immigration clearance.
Q9: Do I need to transfer the Visit Pass endorsement on my current passport when I change to a new passport?
A9: For long term Visit Pass holders who are issued with the new polycarbonate cards, they will no longer be given Visit Pass endorsements in their passports. Hence, there is no need to transfer the endorsement to their new passports. However, holders should continue to notify ICA if there is any change in their passport particulars within 14 days of after the change. For long term Visit Pass holders who are holding the laminated cards, they should continue to come to ICA to transfer their endorsements to their new passports.
Soft Launch of the LTP Card
2 With effect from 13 August 2008, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is soft launching the first batch of LTP cards to selected successful long term Visit Pass applicants who have submitted their applications online via our e-service (e-VP system). These include the following groups:
• Foreign spouses, children or parents of Singapore Citizens renewing their long term Visit Pass;
• Mothers who accompany their school going children, renewing their long term Visit Pass; and
• Foreigners seeking long-term stay to look for employment in Singapore (for Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate holders only);
3 The new LTP cards will be issued (by ICA and the Ministry of Manpower) to all other groups of long term pass holders in subsequent phases. Details on the issuance of the LTP cards to these other groups will be announced closer to the date of implementation.
Fees Payable During Soft Launch Period
4 In this soft launch, which is expected to take place for a month, selected successful long term Visit Pass applicants will be issued with the new LTP cards at the current fee of S$40 per issuance. A visa processing fee of S$30 per issue may also be payable if the applicant comes from a visa-required country.
5 Successful long term immigration pass holders who will be issued with the new LTP card in subsequent phases are expected to a pay an issuance fee of S$60. A new processing fee of S$30 will also be introduced when applicant submits an application for long term Visit Pass. The prevailing visa processing fee will apply for those from visa-required countries.
Processing Time and Collection of New LTP Card During Soft Launch
6 Once an application is approved, an email notification will be sent to the applicant, advising him of the collection procedures. A pre-allocated appointment slot will be given to each successful applicant. Applicants who are unable to make it on the allocated date/time can log on to the e-appointment facility through the ICA website to change the appointment.
7 Applicants who apply online and use our e-appointment facility will benefit by making only 1 trip to the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) in ICA Building for the collection of the LTP cards. Therefore, one can expect to collect the card on the same day after enrolling his biometrics with us. Those who apply over the counter may need to make additional 1-2 trips to VSC (depending on the volume of applications received on that day) before collecting the card. The processing time may be longer during the peak periods.
Material and Design of the LTP Card
Material
8 Like the national identity card (NRIC), the LTP card is made of polycarbonate material, which is resilient and durable.
Design
9 The LTP card is green in colour, with a design that is similar to the NRIC that Singapore citizens and permanent residents carry:
Front Back
Security features
10 The LTP card comes with the same stringent anti-forgery security features found on the NRIC.
(a) Optical variable ink
The words “Republic of Singapore” are printed in optical variable ink and would exhibit a shift in colour from magenta to green when viewed from different angles.
(b) Microline
On both sides of the LTP card a microline that reads “MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS SINGAPORE” will become a black line when the card is photocopied.
(c) Rainbow colour printing
Guilloche patterns form the background of the card, which consist of two rainbow printings – violet-green-violet and green-yellow-green. The rainbow effect is visually stronger on the right of the card and is gradually toned down on the left. This helps to prevent replications of the card through colour-copying or photo-taking, as the rainbow effect will not appear on the replicates.
(d) Laser engraved particulars
The particulars of the card holder are ‘burnt’ into the core of the card using laser engraving technology. Forged cards are unlikely to achieve the same level of clarity.
(e) Multiple laser images
Two multiple laser images (MLI) are found on the card. The first MLI, which is below the holder’s photograph, reflects an image of the holder’s photograph. The second MLI is oval in shape, which clearly show the lion head logo and FIN number when tilted at various angles. The MLI, which has been incorporated into our NRIC since 1991, was proven to be effective against tampering and forgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 A list of Frequently Asked Questions is attached at the ANNEX. A more comprehensive set of questions and answers is also available on ICA’s website at http://www.ica.gov.sg.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
12 August 2008
ANNEX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Would a LTP card holder be required to carry the card with him at all times?
A1: Whilst in Singapore, although the law does not provide for the card holders to be carrying the card at all times, it must be furnished for inspection by an immigration/enforcement officer within reasonable time when requested. On the other hand, the card holder would be required to produce his LTP card during immigration clearance when he is leaving or entering Singapore.
Q2: How do I verify the authenticity of the card?
A2: You should inspect the physical card to make sure that the physical security features are in place. However, one should not stop at visual inspection of the LTP card only. Anyone who wishes to verify the authenticity of the LTP card should make use of VERIFI, an online system that has been in placed since Year 2000, to check if a LTP card presented is still valid or invalid for use.
Q3: How do I take care of the card?
A3: No special care of the card is needed, as it is made of the durable and resilient polycarbonate material. It would be able to last for the entire duration of the immigration pass granted, as long as it is not subjected to an extreme environment/handling.
Q4: What is the procedure for a card replacement if my card expires?
A4: Long term Visit Pass holders seeking to renew their passes should submit their renewal application at least two weeks before their cards expire. The application can be made online via eVP system through the ICA website.
Q5: What should I do if I lose the LTP card?
A5: All LTP card holders should take good care of their cards and prevent lost through negligence. However, if it does happen, the LTP card holder should make a police report immediately and report to ICA within 7 days for a replacement card.
Q6: What should I do with the LTP card if I decide to leave Singapore for good?
A6: All LTP card holders are required to surrender their cards if and when they have decided to leave Singapore for good. The card holder may come to the Visitor Services Centre at Level 4 of the ICA Building to cancel his card. Upon cancellation of the card, he would be granted a short-term stay so that he can make preparations to leave Singapore. Alternatively, the card holder can also surrender the card to an ICA officer at the checkpoint.
Q7: Will I be able to use the automated lanes (i.e. enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System) at the checkpoints?
A7: LTP card holders who have registered their fingerprints for the LTP cards and if their foreign-issued passports are compliant with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation would be able to use the automated lanes at the checkpoints later this year. Details would be provided nearer to its implementation.
Q8: The LTP card does not have a machine-readable zone. Do I have to produce it when I travel? Can it be used to clear immigration?
A8: Yes, you are required to produce your LTP card during immigration clearance when leaving or entering Singapore. The machine-readable zone on the laminated green card has been replaced by the barcode on the LTP card, which encodes the essential information to facilitate immigration clearance.
Q9: Do I need to transfer the Visit Pass endorsement on my current passport when I change to a new passport?
A9: For long term Visit Pass holders who are issued with the new polycarbonate cards, they will no longer be given Visit Pass endorsements in their passports. Hence, there is no need to transfer the endorsement to their new passports. However, holders should continue to notify ICA if there is any change in their passport particulars within 14 days of after the change. For long term Visit Pass holders who are holding the laminated cards, they should continue to come to ICA to transfer their endorsements to their new passports.