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Response to "Scrap Passport Renewal Fees" (Mypaper, 10 Mar 2011)

Not feasible for ICA to scrap passport fee

Mypaper
17 Mar 2011

We refer to Mr Tan Keong Boon’s letter, “Scrap passport renewal fees” (Mypaper, March 10).

The Singapore biometric passport is a secure travel document that is fully compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s requirements for cross-border travel.

The passport fee is based on a cost-recovery model.
Therefore, it is not feasible for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to scrap the passport fee.

MS CHIA HUI KENG
HEAD, PUBLIC & INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY


Scrap passport renewal fees

MyPaper
10 Mar 2011

FINANCE Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced the waiver of the unpopular radio- and television-licence fees in the Budget statement last month.

The annual driving-licence fee was also scrapped many years ago.

Perhaps the authorities could now consider scrapping passport-renewal fees, as many Singaporeans travel overseas for business and generate income for the country, while holidaymakers benefit our tour agencies and airlines.

MR TAN KEONG BOON