ICA: More Singaporean Kids To Get Their First Passport Free If They’re Less Than 1YO


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I can’t remember how or when I got my first passport. But I can definitely tell you that it wasn’t free.

My mum used to say: nothing in life is free.

Sorry mum, you might be wrong this one time.

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More Singaporean Kids Will Get Their First Passport Free

To set the context, let me first explain what was announced back in August.

According to CNA, the Government had announced that it will waive application fees for the first passport of Singapore citizens born on or after 1 January 2020.

P.S. The current application fee is $70.

Wah, how come they so nice?

I promise it’s not because elections are coming. I think.

Okay in all seriousness, it’s actually part of the marriage and parenthood package.

Appeals Made

In response to the news made back in August, appeals were made to review the eligibility criteria.

After consideration, here’s some good news:

The fee waiver will include all applications submitted from 1 January 2020, as long as it is made on or before the child’s first birthday.

ICA also said, “This change will benefit Singapore citizens who are born in 2019 and who are applying for their first passport in 2020″.

Yay, that’s good news.

Online Submission On ICA’s Website Must Be Made

But do note that you’ll have to apply online through ICA’s website here.

Parents collecting their child’s birth certificate from a hospital or at the ICA building will be notified of the revised criteria.


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CNA reported that from 1 January 2020, parents with eligible children will receive an electronic notification on MyICA about the waiver.

They can then click on that notification to access the application process and apply for their child’s passport without having to pay the fee.

Otherwise, parents can log on to ICA’s passport e-service to submit their applications and enter their child’s birth certificate number to receive an electronic notification.

Children Below 6-Years-Old Don’t Need To Be Present To Collect Their Passports

The sight and shrill sounds of screaming or crying kids when you collect your passport is a very real thing.

Thankfully, you can say goodbye to all your woes.


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ICA also announced that that from 1 January 2020, children below 6 years old will no longer need to be physically present to collect their passports.

“Parents can make an appointment to collect their child’s passport at the ICA building after they have completed the application process and received an email notification or pink card from ICA”.

Those with kids above six years of age will still need to be present when collecting their passports since their biometric identifiers will be enrolled then.