• Singapore International Passport
• Replacing Lost Passport for Singaporeans
• Extending Singapore International Passport
• Downloadable Application Form for Singapore International Passports
• Frequently Asked Questions on Passport Matter

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Frequently Asked Questions - Passports

Overseas application/extension of passport | Passport for children born overseas | Deletion of child's particulars into parents' passports | Loss of passport while overseas | Passport due to expire while overseas | Validity of Singapore International Passport | Security bond for male citizens | Insertion of new photo | Binding of old and new passports | Loss of foreign passports

Q : "Can I apply for an Singapore International Passport or extend my passport overseas?"
A : Yes you can. You may extend your passport or apply using the downloadable application form.

Male citizens between 11 to 16 1/2 years old must apply under the Singapore International Passport Overseas Scheme to extend their passports. Application forms can be obtained from the nearest Singapore High Commission, Embassy or Consulate. Parents should bring along with them their birth certificates, passports, identity cards, marriage certificate and the child's birth certificate. The registration should be as soon as it is convenient but before the child's first birthday.

If the father of the child is a citizen of Singapore by registration, the child would only be eligible for consideration as a citizen by descent provided the child would not acquire the citizenship of that country in which he was born by reason of his birth in that country.
The citizenship status of your child is an important matter and should be treated as such. We would strongly urge that parents should seek advice on the subject from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority or the nearest Singapore diplomatic mission long before the birth of their children.

As of 1 Jan 99, a child aged 15 years or below will be required to obtain its own passport. You need to first apply for the registration of the child as a Singapore citizen at the Singapore Mission if your child is not yet a Singapore citizen. Upon the approval of the application, the child will be formally registered as a Singapore citizen. Only then will the child be eligible for a Singapore International Passport. Please see the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Homepage for more information.

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Q : "If a child is born overseas, can his/her particulars be included in his/her parent's Singapore International Passport?"
A : As of 1 Jan 99, a child aged 15 years or below will be required to obtain its own passport. The parents need to first apply for the registration of the child as a Singapore citizen at the nearest Singapore Mission. Upon the approval of the application, the child will be formally registered as a Singapore Citizen. Only then will the child be eligible for a Singapore International Passport.

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Q: "How can I delete my child's particulars from my passport?"
A: You need to submit your application to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. The application form may be downloaded from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Homepage.

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Q : "What should I do if I lose my Singapore International Passport while I am overseas?"
A : You need to do the following:
a) lodge a police report;
b) take passport-sized photographs should you not have two spare ones with you. Instant photos are acceptable, and;
c) contact the nearest Singapore High Commission, Embassy or Consulate.
When you lodge the police report, please request for a copy of the report. In some countries where this may not be possible, you should request for an acknowledgement slip or a receipt. If either of these cannot be given to you, please ask for the report number and note down the name/location of the police station.

When you arrive at our Mission, please have with you the police report, documentary proof of your citizenship status and proof of your identity (preferably with your photograph on it, e.g. Identity Card)

Helpful Tip: When travelling, always keep your passport and your identity card separately.

For Singapore citizens who are tourists, our Mission will issue you a Document of Identity (DI) to enable you to return to Singapore after your particulars have been verified. On your return to Singapore, you would need to surrender the Document of Identity and apply for a new passport at the Singapore Immigration.

For those Singapore citizens who are working/studying in the country, our Mission will assist you in your application for a replacement passport. Please see loss of passport for Singaporeans for the relevant instructions.

Helpful Tips: When travelling, it would be useful to carry a photocopy each of your passport and your identity card.

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Q : "What should I do if my passport is due to expire while I am overseas?"
A : You can apply to have your passport extended/replaced at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission.
If you are intending to travel overseas, it is important to note that most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months on arrival. Invalid or expiring passports will cause you a lot of inconvenience when you apply for visas or permits. It is therefore imperative that you check the validity of your passport before you leave Singapore. Please see Extension of Singapore International Passport for detailed information.

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Q : "What is the validity of a Singapore International passport?"
A : Singapore International passports are normally valid for 10 years. However, male applicants below 11 years of age are issued with passports valid till their 11th birthday or 10 years, whichever is earlier.
Male applicants aged 11 to 16½ years old are issued with passports valid for 2 years or till they reach 17½ years old, whichever is earlier . The passports may be extended upon application. Replacements for lost passports are usually issued with a validity of one year initially. For details of this service, visit the ICA Homepage.

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As most countries impose a minimum entry requirement of 6-month passport validity from the date of entry, it is not possible to use any passport right up to the expiry date. The fee for a passport has factored in the fact that foreign authorities may not accept a passport with less than 6 months validity.

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Q : "What is the Immigration Overseas Scheme for male citizens between 11 and 16½ years old?"
A : Male citizens in the above age group can apply or extend their passports under the Scheme to proceed overseas for study or to accompany their parents who are going abroad for assignment or employment. Security in the form of Bank Guarantee must be furnished to Singapore Immigration before the passport is issued or extended. The amount of the security is S$75,000 or 50% of the combined gross annual income of both parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher. For more details, visit the ICA Homepage.

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Q : "How can I get my new photograph inserted into my Singapore International Passport?"
A : You can request for such a service at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, especially when your existing photo is worn out or your facial features have changed. For details of this service, visit the ICA Homepage.

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Q : "I have valid foreign visas in my old passport. Can I apply to bind both my old and new passport together?"
A : No. The old and the new passports will not be bound or sealed together. If you have valid foreign visas in the old passport, you may have to either bring the old passport along when you travel or have the visas re-endorsed in your new passport. Please consult the respective foreign embassies for advice. Please alert the passport officer of the valid visas in the old passport before it is cancelled.

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Q : "I am a foreigner visiting Singapore. What should I do if I lose my passport while I am here?"

A : Please see loss of passport for foreigners for the relevant instructions.

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