7 Facts About Our NRIC That S’poreans Probably Didn’t Know About

Why Your NRIC Matters: Unveiling Your Singapore IC Number’s Meaning

Before diving into the details, consider this: the IC isn’t just a card that you carry around. You can’t flash your social media QR code when pulled over by the cops for speeding. There’s more to it than you might think.

If you’ve reached the age of 30, you’d need to replace your current card even if you’re attached to your 15-year-old image on it. These aspects are all tied to your Singapore IC number’s age-relevant updates.

The IC Update Cycle: S16 NRIC Age for New IC

Are you under 30 and unaware of this fact? When you reach 30 years old, you are required to create a new IC. The same rule applies at 55. You’ll be given a year to create the new IC, thereby ensuring you’ll possess your updated IC by 31 or 56.

However, if you’ve received a replacement IC within the last decade, this won’t be necessary. So, if you’re not fond of your younger picture, here’s an opportunity for a better-looking IC.

The Color Journey: From Pink to Brown

If you possess an old NRIC, you might recall its original color. It might look brown now, but it was actually pink initially. As time passed, most cards turned brownish. Interestingly, we have always been carrying pink ICs, including our parents and grandparents.

Deciphering the Alphabet: NRIC Starting with T and Other Letters

We often believe that the alphabets preceding our NRIC number represent our citizenship status. For instance, ‘S’ for Singaporean and ‘F’ for foreigners. This belief, however, is misplaced. The alphabet ‘S’ stands for the 19th letter of the alphabet and is designated for individuals born in the 1900s.

For those born after 2000, the Singapore IC start with ‘T’. This was a common misunderstanding when the government began issuing NRIC numbers starting with ‘T’. Many thought it was due to lack of space in ‘S’ or a fresh start for post-2000 births. In reality, ‘T’ is the 20th letter of the alphabet, used to differentiate between individuals born in the 2000s and those born earlier. From next year, anyone turning 20 will have their NRIC number starting with ‘T’. Does this make you feel slightly older?

The Alphabet Continues: NRIC Starting with G

Before the year 2000, foreigners holding an employment pass or student pass had their identification numbers beginning with ‘F’.

Post-2000, the identification starts with ‘G’. Regardless, they’re still referred to as FIN numbers, as FIN stands for Foreign Identification Number. So, no, you’re not holding a GIN number, despite how catchy it might sound.

Behind the Ending Letter: The Hidden Formula

Ever wondered why some people’s NRIC ends with ‘A’, ‘D’, or other letters? These aren’t randomly assigned. The government uses a specific, undisclosed formula to issue these identification numbers.