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Source:
www.ica.gov.sg |
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PUBLIC INTRODUCTION OF
SINGAPORE BIOMETRIC PASSPORT |
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The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will introduce the
Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) on 15 August 2006. |
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Following this, Singapore has met requirements under the US Visa Waiver
Programme which calls for countries to roll out their Biometric Passport
before 26 October 2006. |
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Public is advised not to rush for BioPass |
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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. |
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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. |
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Singaporeans do not need to rush to apply for a BioPass if their
existing passports have sufficient unused pages and remaining
validity (of more than 6 months). This will allow those who
genuinely need a new passport to obtain one first. |
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Limited services available from 10 to 14 August 2006 |
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Singaporeans can apply for international passports by submitting their
applications by post, over the service counters, in deposit boxes located in ICA
or through APPLES (Application for Passport Online Electronic System). |
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To facilitate a smooth transition to the BioPass system, ICA will
have to close some of its passport application services counters
from 9 Aug 2006. |
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This will allow ICA to install and test the BioPass systems before
its actual launch. As such, only limited passport application
avenues will be available from 10 to 14 August 2006. The affected
services are listed below: |
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a.
Passport Counters
¨C Passport counters
will not be able to accept applications for passports and photo
updates from 9 August 2006. Full counter services will be restored
on 15 August
2006 at 8am.
b. APPLES
¨C The e-service will be closed for 24 hours from 9 August 2006,
midnight and resume on 10 August 2006, midnight. |
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Members of the public who need to submit passport applications can
continue to do so through the deposit boxes at ICA. ICA will be
setting up additional self-payment machines and deposit boxes.
Officers will also be present to assist the public with their
transactions. |
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Collections |
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Non-biometric passports can still be collected between 10 and 14
August 2006. However, as only limited counters will be opened,
applicants can expect a longer waiting time. We urge Singaporeans
not to collect their passports at ICA Building during this period. |
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Extensions |
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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. |
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Male citizens between 11 years and 16½ years old may extend their
passports at CMPB or SAFRA Tampines. |
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Application for BioPass |
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Applications received by ICA on and before 8 August 2006 will be
treated as applications for non-biometric passports while those
received after 8 August 2006 will be for the BioPass. A summary is
as follows: |
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If you apply for a
passport |
Your application will
be for a non-biometric passport if it reaches ICA
before or at |
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Over the counter
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5pm, 8 August 2006 |
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By post |
5pm, 8 August 2006 |
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Online, through APPLES |
11.59pm, 8 August 2006 |
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By deposit box |
11.59pm, 8 August 2006 |
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Overseas |
5pm, 8 August 2006 |
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The new BioPass application forms will
be made available at ICA's website at
http://www.ica.gov.sg as well
as at Neighbourhood Police Posts and Community Clubs from 9 August
2006. The public can also call 6738 3352 for a form. |
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Other details on BioPass |
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Singapore¡¯s BioPass complies with the
recommendations and requirements laid down by the International
Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). In line with ICAO¡¯s
requirements: |
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a. The
book inventory control number will be adopted as the passport
number. In other words, the passport number for
BioPass will no longer be the holder¡¯s NRIC number. The Ordinary
BioPass number will begin with a prefix ¡°E¡±, followed by 7 digits
and ending with an alphabet.
b. In
line with ICAO¡¯s ¡°write once¡± policy for biometric passports,
no further changes to the holder¡¯s particulars (including the
photograph) will be allowed once the passport is issued. The
BioPass holder will have to apply for a new passport if he needs
to update any of his personal particulars. |
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The processing time required for a
BioPass remains as 3 working days from the date of receipt of the
application. However, the processing time may take longer if there
is an overwhelming demand for the BioPass, particularly in the
first few weeks of its introduction. |
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The passport fee for the BioPass will
be S$80. Applicants who apply for the passport by APPLES, post and
deposit box will enjoy a S$10 rebate and pay only $70 for their
passports. |
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The BioPass will contain 64 pages and
is valid for 5 years. |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
can be found at Annex. They will be available to the public at
http://www.ica.gov.sg. |
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END OF NEWS RELEASE |
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Immigration & Checkpoints Authority |
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25 July 2006 |
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More..... (Annex) |
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-
Introduction of the Singapore Biometric
Passport - Revisions To Exit Control Measures |
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Source:
www.ica.gov.sg Media Release
25 Jul 2006 |
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Related Article: |
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-
All new Singapore passports to be BioPass by August 2006 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 25 July 2006
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