The Straits Times
2 December 2020

PROXIES TO HELP RESIDENTS CHANGE ADDRESS ONLINE

We refer to Mr Ronnie Lim Ah Bee's letter (Making it simpler and more convenient to update address on NRIC, Nov 25).

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) introduced the Online Change of Address e-service on Oct 1 to allow Singapore residents to update their residential address (whether local or overseas) conveniently via the e-service on ICA's website (https://go.gov.sg/ic-address) using their SingPass without having to make a trip to the neighbourhood police post, neighbourhood police centre or the ICA Building.

Since Oct 1, close to 35,000 residents have updated their address through this e-service.

The unique PIN which the applicant will receive at his new address after he has updated it online is meant to verify that the applicant is indeed living at the new address. This is to prevent abuse and fraud, and ensures that the new address is legitimate and belongs to the applicant.

Patrick Ong
Head, Public Communications & Protocol
Corporate Communications & Service Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

<Original letter>

The Straits Times
25 November 2020

Making it simpler and more convenient to update address on NRIC

Changing one's residential address on the NRIC should be a simple one-stop process like the current system of doing so at police posts (Why and how to update your address on NRIC, Nov 23). This will be phased out by Dec 1.

The new system involves too many steps to access the change of address e-Service and log in using SingPass, and then getting the personal identification number sent by mail.

Not everyone is computer literate, especially the older generation. While I understand the importance of updating one's address on the NRIC, threatening offenders with fines and imprisonment is not the way to go.

I would appreciate it if the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority could come up with a less stressful one-stop process that can be done in one's neighbourhood. 

Ronnie Lim Ah Bee