Shorter Passport Validity Enhances Security And Integrity

The Straits Times
26 March 2009

We would like to thank Mr Goh Kian Huat for his letter "Allow 10-year validity for adult passports" (Straits Times) on 11 March 2009.

 

2     As the passport issuing authority of Singapore, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is committed to uphold the integrity and security of our passports. The Singapore biometric passport complies with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

 

3     In a move to enhance passport integrity and security, the validity period of Singapore passports was reduced to 5 years since 1 April 2005 . Passports with shorter validity allow for new technologies to be incorporated more rapidly, thus deterring passport forgery and abuse. It also ensures that the passports held by Singaporeans are protected by up-to-date security features. Holding a passport that is trusted internationally as a secure travel document will enable Singaporeans to continue to travel with convenience.

 

4     Mr Goh also raised the suggestion of using colour photographs for the passports. We wish to explain why this is not feasible. In the current Singapore biometric passport, the digital image of the passport holder is laser-engraved onto the data page. The utilisation of laser-engraving technology for personalization of passport photos is a mature process which is also used in Identity Cards. It has shown to be more secure and tamper resistant. The latest laser engraving technology that meets international standards is currently only available in black and white. A black and white photograph also shows the holder's facial features more clearly and sharply, critical for ease of identification and matching. This adds to the convenience of use especially when travelling abroad.

Yours sincerely,

 

Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

 

 

 

 

Allow 10-year validity for adult passports

The Straits Times
11 Mar 2009

 

WITH the introduction of the biometric passport, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has reduced the validity period of a Singapore passport by half, from 10 years to five. As a result, Singaporeans are required to renew their passports more frequently and incur additional costs - $70 per passport for submission of applications by Internet or post and $80 for submissions at ICA counters.

As I understand it, the main reason for the change is that biometric passport holders are not allowed to update their photographs, unlike previously with non-biometric passports. ICA has since ceased the passport updating service. Instead, passport holders are required to change their passports every five years. This could be a waste of time and money, especially for those who travel infrequently and hardly use their passports.

This requirement should not be applicable to adult Singaporeans. Unlike children, the features of adults do not change much over the years and there is actually no need to update the photographs every five years. After all, we do not need to update the photographs for our identity cards.

Thus, passports issued to adults above 21 years (at the time of issue) should be given a longer validity period, say 10 years, as it was previously. This will help Singaporeans to save money and the hassle of frequent renewals. It will also help to reduce the crowds and the workload at ICA counters.

In addition, applicants are required to submit a colour photograph together with the application form. However, only a black-and-white version appears in the biometric passport. This is a step backwards.

Since photographs help to identify the passport holders, ICA should consider displaying them in colour.

I hope ICA will consider implementing my suggestions.

Goh Kian Huat