SINGAPORE - The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has reminded Singaporeans to apply for new passports early.

This is to avoid a last-minute rush during the upcoming school holidays from Sept 5 to 13, especially for those who plan to travel abroad during the period.

A large number of countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months as part of their entry requirements, ICA said.

There are four ways for a Singapore citizen to apply for a passport - by post, through deposit boxes at the ICA building at Kallang Road, over the counter or online via APPLES (Application for Passport On-Line Electronic System) through the ICA website.

Successful applicants will be notified by post to collect the new passport once it is ready, although longer waiting times can be expected during busy periods.

They can either collect it over the counter, via a SingPost outlet or use ICollect, a self-service machine at eLobby@ICA.

A new passport is valid for five years.