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Response to “Look into temporary solutions while passport application backlog is cleared” (The Straits Times 27 May 2022)
The Straits Times
27 May 2022
Validity period cannot be extended once passports are issued
We refer to Mr Christopher Leong's letter, "Look into temporary solutions while passport application backlog is cleared" (May 24).
Mr Leong suggested that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) extend the validity of expired passports, while it clears the backlog of new passport applications.
We would like to clarify that the validity period of a passport cannot be extended once issued. This is in compliance with the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which do not allow changes to be made to a passport once issued.
We thank Mr Leong for his suggestion, and would like to assure him and other Singaporeans that ICA is doing its best to handle the surge in passport applications.
We have deployed more officers to process passport applications and they are working longer hours during this period.
Patrick Ong, Head, Public Communications and Protocol
Corporate Communications and Service Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
27 May 2022
Validity period cannot be extended once passports are issued
We refer to Mr Christopher Leong's letter, "Look into temporary solutions while passport application backlog is cleared" (May 24).
Mr Leong suggested that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) extend the validity of expired passports, while it clears the backlog of new passport applications.
We would like to clarify that the validity period of a passport cannot be extended once issued. This is in compliance with the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which do not allow changes to be made to a passport once issued.
We thank Mr Leong for his suggestion, and would like to assure him and other Singaporeans that ICA is doing its best to handle the surge in passport applications.
We have deployed more officers to process passport applications and they are working longer hours during this period.
Patrick Ong, Head, Public Communications and Protocol
Corporate Communications and Service Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
24 May 2022
Look into temporary solutions while passport application backlog is cleared
I applied for a new passport online more than six weeks ago. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has yet to inform me when it will be ready.
The demand is not likely to ease any time soon, seeing as long queues are forming around ICA's building even before office hours.
It seems clear that ICA's passport application backlog will not be cleared for many months, so I suggest that it look into temporary solutions. Perhaps it could stamp recently expired passports and extend their validity for a short period of time.
Christopher Leong