Not feasible to have a pro-rated passport fee

Today Online
10 Aug 2009

I REFER to "Why no pro-rated passport fees, ICA?" (Aug 1-2) from Tee Kia Hong.

As with most other public services, the passport fee is determined based on a cost-recovery model. The cost of producing a passport cannot simply be linked to frequency or duration of usage.

It is hence not feasible for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to waive or charge a pro-rated passport fee based on remaining validity period of the previous passport.

Chia Hui Keng
Head, Public and Internal Communications Branch,
Corporate Communications Division,
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority


Why no pro-rated passport fees, ICA?

Today Online
1 Aug 2009

Letter from Tee Kia Hong

MY SON, a Full-time National Serviceman, was told by his camp commander to update his passport as he no longer resembles the photo in the passport.

When he arrived at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), he was told that the photo update service for non-biometric passports has ceased and he has to change to a new biometric passport, which incurs a fee of $ 70.

His existing passport was issued barely five years ago and not due for renewal for another five years. Although ceasing the photo update service as a measure to prevent the passport from being used for criminal means is a good security move, charging passport holders the full cost for the new passport seems unfair.

Perhaps the ICA should charge a pro-rated fee, based on the number of years the existing passport is still valid for.