How To Apply Or Renew Your Passport In Singapore (2023)
As more and more countries like Japan and Taiwan are opening up officially for travellers to visit for leisure and business, many of us are embracing the pre-pandemic lifestyle of travelling often again. Before you go booking your flights for your vacation in a haste, don’t get overly excited that you forget certain must-dos in preparation for your trip.
One of the must-dos is to check the validity of your passport before buying your travel insurance, booking for your air tickets, and packing your luggage. The last thing you want is to be turned away at the airport because of a careless oversight. Keep in mind that the general rule of thumb is that your passport should at least have 6-months of validity before departure, and if you do not have that, here are some things to take note of for your passport application or renewal.
Ways To Apply And Renew A Singapore Passport
You’ll usually need to apply or renew your Singapore passport due to several reasons such as your passport being expired (or is expiring in 9 months or less), is running out of pages or the worst case scenario — gets lost or damaged.
Online application/renewal
The online passport application process will take less than 15 minutes. To get started, you’ll need to log into Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) e-Service using your Singpass to complete the online application form and submit it. You’ll be able to track the status of your application in the same e-Service website, so that you’ll know when to collect your passport when it’s ready.
If you happen to run into any problems trying to complete your online application, you can email [email protected] with a screenshot of the error message and the ICA administration team will assist you.
By mail
Alternatively, you can download the Singapore passport application form here and complete it with the required details. Once you’re done with it, post your form over to ICA’s address which is Passport Unit Citizen Services Centre, ICA Building 10 Kallang Road, Level 2 Singapore 208718. As your form is not submitted via the e-Service platform, you will need to login to MyICA to check the status.
What Is Needed For A Singapore Passport Application And Renewal?
Before you apply for your passport, you’ll need to have some documents and information ready on hand including:
- Your identity card number/birth certificate number/citizenship certificate number
- Your passport’s expiry date
- A recent passport-sized colour photograph of yourself (taken within the last three months)
- VISA or Master Credit/Debit Card, American Express card or other internet banking details
Processing time of passport application
It usually takes about 2 weeks for you to receive your new passport if your application is successful.
Passport collection
You’ll receive a notification via SMS, email, or post once your passport is ready for collection. Thereafter, you’ll need to make an appointment to either collect it at a post office near you or at the ICA building. Do remember to bring your IC along to verify your identity before you collect your passport.
Tips To Taking Passport Photos
Online applications will require a passport-sized photo (45mm by 35mm), so make sure that you’ve got the photo resized or taken with the correct specifications. Another important thing to take note of is to have your photo in a digital, coloured format and it must be taken within the last three months.
If your photo doesn’t meet any of these requirements which are according to the global International Standards Organisation (ISO) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) passport photo guidelines, you’ll probably face difficulties in entering foreign countries.
Here are some tips to ensure you meet the passport photo criteria:
- Stand against a plain, white background such as an even white wall
- Have a brightly lit area for the photo taking
- Leave ample headroom between the edge of the camera frame and the top of your head
- Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed
- Check that your ears and shoulders are captured in the photo
- Avoid tinted glasses or coloured contact lenses
- Avoid selfies as the photo needs to be taken through a front-facing camera
- Put on a darker top to prevent blending into the white background
- Clean camera lens for better photo quality
- Keep the image file size below 2MB
If all else fails, there is still another option, which is to get your passport photo taken at photo booths or Foto Express shops which are conveniently available at most shopping malls, MRT stations, and even bus interchanges.
How much does a Singapore passport application or renewal cost?
For parents who are applying for a new passport for their newborn child, their child will be entitled to a free application before his/her first birthday (from 1 January 2020 onwards). So if you’re a parent doing this for the first time, you can visit the MyICA online portal to make a free application for your child’s first passport. Otherwise, it’ll cost you at least $50, depending on what type of application or renewal you’re applying for.
If you’re taking your passport photo at a photo booth or shop, you’ll need to take into account the cost of taking the photo, which typically ranges from $8 to $10 for 6 copies of your passport photo.
Application/renewal type
Passport renewal & application
Passport renewal & application (in foreign currency)
Lost passport penalty (first time)
Loss passport penalty (subsequent times)
Required fee
$70
$80
$50
$100
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to renew my Singapore passport online?
- Yes, you’ll be able to do so via the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) e-Service using your Singpass.
What do I need for a Singapore passport application or renewal?
- Identity card number/birth certificate number/citizenship certificate number
- Passport’s expiry date
- A recent passport-sized colour photograph of yourself (taken within the last three months)
- VISA or Master Credit/Debit Card, American Express card or other internet banking details
How long is the processing time for a Singapore passport application?
- It usually takes about 2 weeks for you to receive your new passport if your application is successful.
What are the documents that I need to bring for passport collection?
- You’ll need to bring your IC along to verify your identity before you can collect your passport.
How much will a Singapore passport application or renewal cost?
- It’ll range from $70 to $100, depending on a few factors i.e. whether you’re doing it in foreign currency or local currency, whether you have to pay for a lost passport penalty, etc.