Singapore to issue biometric passports starting August
-
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has unveiled its next generation of passports, which will include biometric data and new security features.
Singaporeans can apply for the new passports from as early as August this year.
On the front cover, it is still the familiar look of the Singapore passport, but with the inclusion of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's logo.
Flip open the new BioPass and you will find the visa pages have been given a facelift.
The Esplanade has been blended with the city skyline and Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, is at the top right hand corner.
ICA says it is still reviewing the price of the new passport, but it is likely to cost more than the present passports, which are S$60 over the counter and S$50 for an Internet application.
The most significant addition to the new passport is the polycarbonate page, which is a plastic-like material.
It contains an embedded microchip, which will have the passport holder's facial and fingerprint information.
The first group of people to use the new BioPass will be government officials and Singapore Airlines personnel, who are part of the phase one trial, which starts April 29.
ICA officials say the immigration process is not likely to change very much using the new passports.
The use of the identification number as the passport number has been dropped; each BioPass will now have its own passport number.
Since January, these new passports have been tested, recognised and accepted by immigration authorities in countries like the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Trials are still ongoing.
Said Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, "As a result of ICA's efforts in achieving interoperability, the US has confirmed that the BioPass has achieved Level 2 certification under their visa waiver programme. This means that tests conducted by the US Department of Homeland Security have shown the BioPass to be in full compatibility with their passport readers."
The new BioPass will be accepted nationwide in the US when authorities there deploy their e-passport readers on October 26.
To prevent tampering and forgery, added security features include the use of Optical Variable Ink, two multiple laser images and a kinegram.
You don't have to wait for your current passport to expire to get the new BioPass.
Singaporeans can apply for a new BioPass August this year.
The new passports will have a validity of five years. - CNA /ct -
finally i can have a reason to get a new passport. i look ridiculously horrible in the present one!! hahahah
-
do note that this new passport will cost more than the old one.
-
What if our current passports are valid till 2010? Do we need to re-apply?
-
u can reapply but i don't see the reason for doing so. the old one can still be used.Originally posted by iveco:What if our current passports are valid till 2010? Do we need to re-apply? -
But I see eventually all will use the biometric passportOriginally posted by Gordonator:u can reapply but i don't see the reason for doing so. the old one can still be used. -
If you want to get searched and held up in Newark or Tom Bradley, by all means stick with the old.
