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ICA Gears Up For the Public Introduction of Biopass – Limited Passport Services Available From 10 to 14 August 2006
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is gearing up for the public introduction of the Singapore biometric passport (BioPass) on 15 August 2006. The days before 15 August 2006 i.e. from 10 to 14 August 2006 will be crucial dates for ICA to install and test the new systems before the actual launch. Further to our news release issued on 25 July 2006, ICA would like to remind Singaporeans that some passport services will be disrupted from 10 to 14 August 2006.
Counter services
Passport applications and photo updates
2. Passport application counters will continue to be closed after the National Day public holiday on 9 August 2006. From 10 to 14 August 2006, ICA’s passport counters will not be able to accept applications for passports or process photo updates.
Collections
3. Non-biometric passports can still be collected between 10 and 14 August 2006. However, as only limited counters will be opened, applicants may have a longer waiting time. We urge Singaporeans to avoid collecting their passports at ICA Building during this period.
Restoration of full counter services
4. Full counter services will be restored on 15 August 2006 at 8am.
Alternative avenues for passport applications
5. Members of the public who need to submit passport applications can continue to do so through the deposit boxes at the ICA Building. ICA has set up additional self-payment machines and deposit boxes. Officers will also be present to assist the public with their transactions.
6. Alternatively, they can submit their applications by post, or use our e-service for passport applications – Application for Passport Online Electronic System (APPLES). However, to facilitate system migration, APPLES will be closed for 24 hours from 9 August 2006, midnight. The e-service will resume on 10 August 2006, midnight.
Alternate venues for passport extensions for NSmen
7. Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) NSmen who hold Singapore passports with restricted validity can have their passports extended at Central Manpower Base (CMPB) at Depot Road, SAFRA Tampines, Police Cantonment Complex and SCDF HQ Complex respectively.
8. Between 10 and 14 August 2006, male citizens between 11 years and 16½ years old may extend their passports at CMPB or SAFRA Tampines. From 15 August 2006, passport extension services are only available at CMPB.
Public introduction of BioPass
9. Singaporeans holding the current non-biometric machine-readable passports can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to the US up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Programme. There is no need for these Singaporeans to convert their passports to a BioPass even if they are travelling to the US. All our passports issued locally from 2 January 1991 are machine-readable.
10. The public is once again urged not to rush to apply for a BioPass if their existing passports have sufficient unused pages and remaining validity (of more than 6 months). This is to allow those who genuinely need a new passport to obtain one first.
Counter services
Passport applications and photo updates
2. Passport application counters will continue to be closed after the National Day public holiday on 9 August 2006. From 10 to 14 August 2006, ICA’s passport counters will not be able to accept applications for passports or process photo updates.
Collections
3. Non-biometric passports can still be collected between 10 and 14 August 2006. However, as only limited counters will be opened, applicants may have a longer waiting time. We urge Singaporeans to avoid collecting their passports at ICA Building during this period.
Restoration of full counter services
4. Full counter services will be restored on 15 August 2006 at 8am.
Alternative avenues for passport applications
5. Members of the public who need to submit passport applications can continue to do so through the deposit boxes at the ICA Building. ICA has set up additional self-payment machines and deposit boxes. Officers will also be present to assist the public with their transactions.
6. Alternatively, they can submit their applications by post, or use our e-service for passport applications – Application for Passport Online Electronic System (APPLES). However, to facilitate system migration, APPLES will be closed for 24 hours from 9 August 2006, midnight. The e-service will resume on 10 August 2006, midnight.
Alternate venues for passport extensions for NSmen
7. Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) NSmen who hold Singapore passports with restricted validity can have their passports extended at Central Manpower Base (CMPB) at Depot Road, SAFRA Tampines, Police Cantonment Complex and SCDF HQ Complex respectively.
8. Between 10 and 14 August 2006, male citizens between 11 years and 16½ years old may extend their passports at CMPB or SAFRA Tampines. From 15 August 2006, passport extension services are only available at CMPB.
Public introduction of BioPass
9. Singaporeans holding the current non-biometric machine-readable passports can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to the US up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Programme. There is no need for these Singaporeans to convert their passports to a BioPass even if they are travelling to the US. All our passports issued locally from 2 January 1991 are machine-readable.
10. The public is once again urged not to rush to apply for a BioPass if their existing passports have sufficient unused pages and remaining validity (of more than 6 months). This is to allow those who genuinely need a new passport to obtain one first.