The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will introduce the Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) on 15 August 2006. Following this, Singapore has met requirements under the US Visa Waiver Programme which calls for countries to roll out their Biometric Passport before 26 October 2006.

Public is advised not to rush for BioPass

2.                 Singaporeans holding the current non-biometric machine-readable passports can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to the US up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Programme. There is no need for these Singaporeans to convert their passports to a BioPass even if they are travelling to the US. All our passports issued locally from 2 January 1991 are machine-readable.

3.                 Singaporeans do not need to rush to apply for a BioPass if their existing passports have sufficient unused pages and remaining validity (of more than 6 months). This will allow those who genuinely need a new passport to obtain one first.

Limited services available from 10 to 14 August 2006

4.                 Singaporeans can apply for international passports by submitting their applications by post, over the service counters, in deposit boxes located in ICA or through APPLES (Application for Passport Online Electronic System).

5.                 To facilitate a smooth transition to the BioPass system, ICA will have to close some of its passport application services counters from 9 Aug 2006. This will allow ICA to install and test the BioPass systems before its actual launch. As such, only limited passport application avenues will be available from 10 to 14 August 2006. The affected services are listed below:

a.                  Passport Counters � Passport counters will not be able to accept applications for passports and photo updates from 9 August 2006. Full counter services will be restored on 15 August 2006 at 8am.

b.                  APPLES � The e-service will be closed for 24 hours from 9 August 2006, midnight and resume on 10 August 2006, midnight.

6.                 Members of the public who need to submit passport applications can continue to do so through the deposit boxes at ICA. ICA will be setting up additional self-payment machines and deposit boxes. Officers will also be present to assist the public with their transactions.

Collections

7.                 Non-biometric passports can still be collected between 10 and 14 August 2006. However, as only limited counters will be opened, applicants can expect a longer waiting time. We urge Singaporeans not to collect their passports at ICA Building during this period.  

Extensions

8.                 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) NSmen who hold Singapore passports with restricted validity can have their passports extended at Central Manpower Base (CMPB) at Depot Road, SAFRA Tampines, Police Cantonment Complex and SCDF HQ Complex respectively.  Male citizens between 11 years and 16� years old may extend their passports at CMPB or SAFRA Tampines.

Application for BioPass

9.                 Applications received by ICA on and before 8 August 2006 will be treated as applications for non-biometric passports while those received after 8 August 2006 will be for the BioPass. A summary is as follows:

10.             The new BioPass application forms will be made available at ICA's website at http://www.ica.gov.sg as well as at Neighbourhood Police Posts and Community Clubs from 9 August 2006. The public can also call 6738 3352 for a form.

Other details on BioPass

11.             Singapore�s BioPass complies with the recommendations and requirements laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). In line with ICAO�s requirements:

a.                  The book inventory control number will be adopted as the passport number. In other words, the passport number for BioPass will no longer be the holder�s NRIC number. The Ordinary BioPass number will begin with a prefix �E�, followed by 7 digits and ending with an alphabet.

b.                  In line with ICAO�s �write once� policy for biometric passports, no further changes to the holder�s particulars (including the photograph) will be allowed once the passport is issued. The BioPass holder will have to apply for a new passport if he needs to update any of his personal particulars.

12.             The processing time required for a BioPass remains as 3 working days from the date of receipt of the application. However, the processing time may take longer if there is an overwhelming demand for the BioPass, particularly in the first few weeks of its introduction.

13.             The passport fee for the BioPass will be S$80. Applicants who apply for the passport by APPLES, post and deposit box will enjoy a S$10 rebate and pay only $70 for their passports.

14.             The BioPass will contain 64 pages and is valid for 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

15.             A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at Annex. They will be available to the public at http://www.ica.gov.sg.

END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

25 July 2006

ANNEX

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:     Where can I obtain the BioPass application form?

A1:      The new BioPass application forms will be made available at ICA's website http://www.ica.gov.sg, Neighbourhood Police Posts and Community Clubs from 9 August 2006. You can also call 6738 3352 for a form to be mailed to you.

Q2:     What would I need to do to apply for a BioPass? What is the application procedure?

A2:      Singapore Citizens may choose to apply for a BioPass via any one of 4 available modes. They are:

            (a) Application in person over our Passport application counters (from 15 August 2006 onwards);

            (b) Application by post;

            (c) Application by deposit box;

            (d) Application online via APPLES (from 10 August 2006 onwards).

If you are applying in person over our application counters, the documents required are:

v     your original NRIC,

v     current passport for invalidation (for existing passport holders) and

v     passport fee of S$80.

Applicants below the age of 16 must also come in person and be accompanied by the consenting parent / legal guardian, and bring along:

v     the original birth certificate,

v     parent/guardian's original NRIC,

v     Citizenship Certificate (if applicant is a citizen by registration and has not been issued with an NRIC,

v     MOE Student Card (if applicant is between 7 and 15 years old and is studying in Singapore).

If you are applying via the other modes, an acknowledgement card detailing the date of collection and documents to produce would be mailed to your address and you would be required to come personally for the collection of your passport. Documents required are:

v     the original NRIC and

v     current passport for invalidation.

v     Applicants below the age of 16 must be accompanied by the consenting parent / legal guardian, bringing along the original birth certificate, parent/guardian's original NRIC, Citizenship Certificate (if applicant is a citizen by registration and has not been issued with an NRIC), MOE Student Card (if applicant is between 7 and 15 years old and is studying in Singapore).

Q3:     How can BioPass holders take care of their passports?

A3:      All passports should be accorded proper respect and care. As the BioPass contains a chip and antenna embedded in the data page, BioPass holders are advised to treat the BioPass like any portable electronic device i.e. by ensuring that it does not become wet, bent or mutilated.

Q4: Will there be any changes to the policy of transferring the "unused validity" when I renew my passport for the BioPass?

A4: Passport holders who renew their passports with more than 9 months validity in their existing passport, will get a BioPass with a validity period of 5 years and 9 months. For passport holders who renew their passports with 9 months or less in their existing passport, the current policy of transferring the "unused validity" will remain unchanged.