As with most other public services, the passport fee is determined based on a cost-recovery model. The Singapore biometric passport is a more secure travel document and is fully compliant with international civil-aviation security requirements. The cost and, hence, the fee for biometric passports is higher than that of the old, non-biometric passport. The biometric passport has a shorter validity period to allow for new technologies to be incorporated more rapidly, thus deterring passport forgery and abuse. It ensures that the passports held by Singaporeans are protected by up-to-date security features.

When an applicant submits his application form in person and, subsequently, collects his passport at the ICA building, two counter transactions are required. However, those who apply for passports online or by post would need only one counter transaction. This manpower savings is passed on to applicants in the form of a $10 rebate on the passport fee.

Passport applicants without Internet access at home can go to any of the 25 CitizenConnect centres located at community clubs, CPF Jurong Service Centre and Revenue House or access the self-service terminals at the ICA building.

There are also alternative means and payment modes available, which allow applicants with no Internet access or who do not own credit or debit cards to still enjoy the $10 rebate. They can submit their applications at the deposit box located at the ICA building and make payment via Nets/CashCard or at the photo booth vendor at the ICA building which accepts payment by cash. However, the vendor requires the applicant to take the passport photo with them, and charges a nominal fee of $3 for the effort.

Lim Jing Jing (Ms)
Deputy Head, Public & Internal Communications
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority