The Straits Times
8 September 2017

Help for those requesting indication of old passport number in new passport

We thank Mr Victor Lim for his letter (Indicate old passport number when new one is issued; Sept 5).

The Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) complies with the standards and requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This includes having a unique number for every passport issued.

The unique passport number helps to curb abuse of passports when they are lost or stolen, through sharing of the passport number and other relevant information among law enforcement agencies internationally. It is important to ensure the integrity and security of passports.

Nevertheless, we recognise that some Singaporeans may want their previous passport's number to be indicated somewhere in their new passport, for example, for easier reference by certain authorities who might have used the previous passport number as an identifier.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) can assist with this.

Serene Wong (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

<Original Letter>

Straits Times Online
5 September 2017

Indicate old passport number when new one is issued

As frequent travellers, Singaporeans face problems when a new passport is issued to them, as it would have a different passport number.

This passport number change is especially problematic for those who travel frequently and whose pages on the passport quickly fill up.

Every time there is a change to the passport number, many applications and forms have to be made and submitted to the various overseas regulatory bodies. Failure to do so incurs heavy penalties.

I hope the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority can consider retaining our old passport number when the passports are replaced or, at least, indicating the old number on the new passport.

Victor Lim