The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) urges Singaporeans with year-end travel plans to submit their passport application now if they are holding expired passport or passport with less than six months validity. This will avoid another surge for application of passports towards end of the year and provide sufficient time for ICA to meet the demand for year-end travels. Singaporeans who submit their applications late will risk not being able to collect their passport in time for their travel.

Points to note when submitting passport applications

2.          Online submission: Passport applications can be submitted online via the ICA website or MyICA Mobile.^[1]

3.          Adherence to the photo guidelines: To avoid unnecessary delay, Singaporeans who choose to take a photo of themselves for passport applications are advised to refer to the photo guidelines on ICA’s website (https://ica.gov.sg/photo-guidelines). Applicants with photo that does not meet the passport guidelines will be required to resubmit a new photo. Some common reasons for photo rejection include photos with non-white backgrounds, laterally inverted images, and using photos which are not current. In addition, photos with uneven brightness or shadows on the applicant’s face, or reflection/glare on the applicant’s spectacles, may also be rejected as they can create inconsistent patches on the facial image eventually laser-engraved on the passport.

4.          Checking of application status: Applicants can check on their passport application status via the ICA website or MyICA Mobile. Those whose passports are ready for collection will receive an email or a pink notification card from ICA. They may then proceed to make an appointment online to collect their passport from ICA Building or any of the 29 designated post offices. There is no additional fee for passport collection at the post offices.

5.          Applicants with enquiries on passport matters can refer to our FAQs on the ICA website, contact the passport helpline at 6812 5555 (Operating Hours: 8.30 am to 11.59 pm daily) or reach out to us via the Live Chat on ICA’s website (Live Chat hours: 8am - 5pm on Mon – Fri, 8am - 1pm on Sat).

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
18 AUGUST 2022

^[1] Passport applications can be submitted online via ICA’s website (https://www.ica.gov.sg/) or through the MyICA Mobile which can be downloaded from either the App store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).