Retention of Passport Numbers with Renewal of Passports

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority will consider retaining the same passport number for renewals so as to reduce inconvenience and administrative complexities faced by Singaporeans and companies using this for identification with foreign government agencies and for international dealings.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) adopts the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the Singapore Biometric Passports. One of the ICAO requirements is that travel documents should have a unique document number. This means that whenever an applicant is issued with a passport or has his passport renewed, there is a new passport number.

The move towards the use of unique passport control number is part of the global effort to enhance security measures and curb passport abuse. This is an important security measure to prevent terrorists and syndicates from exploiting the use of such lost or stolen passports. It also facilitates the sharing of information among enforcement agencies internationally on any lost or stolen Singapore passport.

To facilitate the use of the passport as an identity document overseas, ICA has included the passport holder's NRIC number on the passport biodata page. ICA is also able to provide Singaporean citizens with an official endorsement in the new passport indicating the previous passport number upon request.

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