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Response to 'Policy introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport.' (ST Forum, 13 Aug 2011)
Passport fee based on cost-recovery model, replies ICA
ST Forum
23 Aug 2011
THE Singapore biometric passport was introduced in 2006 to provide a more secure travel document ('5-year passport: Policy introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport' by Mr Chua Boon Keat; Aug 13).
It is fully compliant with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and allows Singaporeans to travel hassle-free to many countries in the world.
The shorter passport validity ensures that new security technologies can be incorporated speedily to deter passport forgery and abuse.
This adds to the integrity of the Singapore passport and in turn protects passport holders. The cost of a biometric passport is higher than that of a non-biometric one as it comes with added security features. As with most other public services, the passport fee is already determined based on a cost-recovery model.
Koh Wee Sing
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
5-year passport
'Policy introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport.'
ST Forum
13 Aug 2011
MR CHUA BOON KEAT: 'The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has changed the passport validity period from 10 years to five years. This policy was introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport, which remains at $70. ICA will see an increase in transaction costs (given more passport applications over 10 years) with no clear value-added. It needs to reconsider its pricing structure in order not to penalise the public. Organisational interest (covering cost) and public interest are equally important and must be considered together and not one or/after the other.'
ST Forum
23 Aug 2011
THE Singapore biometric passport was introduced in 2006 to provide a more secure travel document ('5-year passport: Policy introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport' by Mr Chua Boon Keat; Aug 13).
It is fully compliant with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and allows Singaporeans to travel hassle-free to many countries in the world.
The shorter passport validity ensures that new security technologies can be incorporated speedily to deter passport forgery and abuse.
This adds to the integrity of the Singapore passport and in turn protects passport holders. The cost of a biometric passport is higher than that of a non-biometric one as it comes with added security features. As with most other public services, the passport fee is already determined based on a cost-recovery model.
Koh Wee Sing
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
5-year passport
'Policy introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport.'
ST Forum
13 Aug 2011
MR CHUA BOON KEAT: 'The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has changed the passport validity period from 10 years to five years. This policy was introduced without lowering the cost of a new passport, which remains at $70. ICA will see an increase in transaction costs (given more passport applications over 10 years) with no clear value-added. It needs to reconsider its pricing structure in order not to penalise the public. Organisational interest (covering cost) and public interest are equally important and must be considered together and not one or/after the other.'