From 2020, all passport and NRIC applications will have to be done online, as the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will stop using paper forms for 15 services.
These services, which also include requests for birth/death extracts and applications for change of address, will be migrated online to support Singapore’s Smart Nation goals.
ICA said that all of the services are now already on its MyICA portal, a portal created by the authority that members of the public can access using their SingPass.
This portal was launched in June this year, and started out with eight services. MyICA also allows users to make one consolidated payment for multiple transactions. .
In addition, ICA will progressively cease the use of hardcopy application forms, as we work towards the target of having all applications for its e-Services submitted online by 2020. In 2017, 88% of more than 5.5 million applications were already submitted online. The majority of hardcopy applications were for passports and NRICs, and submitted at ICA Building in person or mailed to ICA.
The authority also plans to introduce a multi-language step-by-step video guide on applying for passports and NRICs on its website and Facebook page.
Those who have trouble accessing the Internet or need help to make their applications can use the self-service kiosks at the lobby of the ICA building, where staff will be able to assist them, ICA said.
