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Apr 5, 2010
New passport in a flash, thanks to ICA
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FOUR weeks ago, while booking a trip online, I realised my passport had less than six months' validity. Not willing to miss the cheap airfares during the promotion period, I applied for a new passport the next day.
When I dropped off my application at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building, I noticed a huge crowd at the passport unit on level 2. I was worried that I would not be able collect my passport in time for my trip, as the school holidays were approaching and a lot of Singaporeans apply for passports at that time. My worries were compounded when I read in the newspapers a few days later that the ICA had experienced an unprecedented demand for its passport services.
However, my worries proved unfounded when, five days later, I received a collection slip asking me to collect my passport. I noticed a message on the slip that encouraged Singaporeans to use the e-appointment service. I did so and got an appointment on March 17 at 3.30pm.
On the collection day, I arrived at the passport office 10 minutes before my appointment time. The lobby was filled with people queueing to enter and by the time I reached the queue ticket dispenser, I was two minutes late for my appointment. I took the queue ticket and entered the waiting area, trying to find a comfortable spot to idle away the next couple of hours.
Imagine my surprise when the display panel overhead started blinking a queue number that was just three ahead of mine. A few minutes later, my number was called. I approached the counter, handed over my collection slip and IC, and was asked to undergo a fingerprint check on the scanner. When that was done, I was issued my brand-new passport, all within four minutes.
I am truly impressed with the efficiency of the ICA. I wonder why so many people wait for hours in the lobby when they could use the e-appointment system and cut waiting time.
Terry Ang
New passport in a flash, thanks to ICA
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<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
FOUR weeks ago, while booking a trip online, I realised my passport had less than six months' validity. Not willing to miss the cheap airfares during the promotion period, I applied for a new passport the next day.
When I dropped off my application at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building, I noticed a huge crowd at the passport unit on level 2. I was worried that I would not be able collect my passport in time for my trip, as the school holidays were approaching and a lot of Singaporeans apply for passports at that time. My worries were compounded when I read in the newspapers a few days later that the ICA had experienced an unprecedented demand for its passport services.
However, my worries proved unfounded when, five days later, I received a collection slip asking me to collect my passport. I noticed a message on the slip that encouraged Singaporeans to use the e-appointment service. I did so and got an appointment on March 17 at 3.30pm.
On the collection day, I arrived at the passport office 10 minutes before my appointment time. The lobby was filled with people queueing to enter and by the time I reached the queue ticket dispenser, I was two minutes late for my appointment. I took the queue ticket and entered the waiting area, trying to find a comfortable spot to idle away the next couple of hours.
Imagine my surprise when the display panel overhead started blinking a queue number that was just three ahead of mine. A few minutes later, my number was called. I approached the counter, handed over my collection slip and IC, and was asked to undergo a fingerprint check on the scanner. When that was done, I was issued my brand-new passport, all within four minutes.
I am truly impressed with the efficiency of the ICA. I wonder why so many people wait for hours in the lobby when they could use the e-appointment system and cut waiting time.
Terry Ang
