Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) News Release

ICA Introduces New Design For Singapore Biometric Passport With Additional Security Features

          The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is introducing a new design for the Singapore biometric passport with additional security features.

New visa page designs and additional security features

2        The new passport design will come with new visa page designs and additional security features that make the passport harder to forge or be tampered with. Please refer to Annex A for a visual illustration and further description of the additional security features. Similar to the existing passport, the new passport design complies with the recommendations and requirements laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Current passport remains valid for travel

3       For Singapore citizens with existing valid passports, there is no need to replace their passports, which continue to be valid for travel.

Issuance of passports with the new design

4        Applicants whose passport applications are received by ICA from 21 October 2017 onwards will be issued with passports with the new design. These passports will be available for collection from 30 October onwards. Between 30 October and 15 November 2017, members of the public will need to collect the passports from the ICA Building. From 16 November 2017 onwards, the passports can also be collected at selected post offices.

5        For more details on the passport with the new design, please refer to the FAQs on ICA’s website (www.ica.gov.sg).

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

26 OCTOBER 2017

ANNEX A

EXPLANATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITY FEATURES

New Features

The new passport design includes two new security features:

• The image of the passport holder inside the window, which can be viewed as a positive or negative portrait when tilted and viewed in transmitted light.

• A surface transformation design in the shape of the national flower, which displays light reflective and animation effects at different angles.

Enhanced Features

The following features present in the existing passport design have also been enhanced to provide additional security:

• The Multiple Laser Image (MLI) in the shape of the Singapore map.

• An improved Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID) design that has an achromatic effect when tilted at different angles.

• An embossed tactile design.

NEW VISA PAGE DESIGNS

The visa pages will sport new designs featuring six of Singapore’s iconic landmarks – the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Esplanade, Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Sports Hub and Punggol New Town. These designs will replace the existing image of the Singapore Central Business District skyline and the Esplanade.