ICA Warns of Delays as Applications Triple Amid Border Easing
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has announced that passport applications are currently taking longer to process due to “unprecedented” demand. The surge in applications follows the easing of COVID-19 border restrictions. Since March 2022, the number of daily passport applications has more than tripled, with ICA receiving around 6,000 applications per day compared to the pre-pandemic average of 2,000.
This increase is largely attributed to a backlog of 1 million passports that expired or are due to expire during the COVID-19 travel restrictions. ICA has advised Singaporeans with upcoming travel plans to submit their passport renewal applications early to avoid delays.
For those who do not need to travel soon, ICA has clarified that there is no penalty for not renewing expired passports, as the Singapore passport is not a mandatory identity document. Applications for passport renewals can be submitted online through the ICA website, and once processed, passports can be collected at one of the 27 post offices without additional fees.
This announcement comes amid broader travel changes, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled a new vaccinated travel framework for easing restrictions. Starting from March 31, fully vaccinated travellers, including children under 12, will only require a pre-departure COVID-19 test to enter Singapore, without needing entry approvals or designated travel routes. Travel across the Singapore-Malaysia border via private vehicles will also be allowed from April 1, with no quotas for land travel.
As travel restrictions ease, businesses in Singapore have reported a significant rise in flight and accommodation bookings, as well as an uptick in job applications from Malaysian workers.
