2 July 2008
Singapore will introduce a new Long Term Pass
(LTP) card to all foreigners residing in
Singapore on Student's Pass (STP), long term visit pass, Employment
Pass (EP) and Dependant's Pass as part of the Government's
initiative to enhance the national security of Singapore. The card
will be introduced in phases from the second half of
2008.
2 The LTP card will replace the current
stamp endorsement on the travel documents and the paper-laminated
Disembarkation/Embarkation (or D/E) card issued to long term pass
holders. The LTP card will
have better security features compared to the present
paper-laminated card. It will contain similar biometric features as
those in the Singapore National Registration Identity Card (NRIC)
to provide a secure means of identifying individuals and facilitate
travel (please see Annex A for details of the new LTP
card).
3 The LTP card will bear the photograph
and fingerprint of all cardholders aged 15 and
above. Fingerprint registration for those between
six and 14 years of age is optional. Children five years and below
are exempted as their fingerprints have yet to stabilise.
Benefits to the cardholder
4 With the added personal identifiers on the LTP
card, i.e. the holder's photograph and fingerprint, government
agencies such as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be able to verify the
cardholder's identity through face and fingerprint matching.
5 The enhanced security features and personal
identifiers on the LTP will deter forgery and fraudulent use of the
card.
6 LTP cardholders will also be able to enjoy
expedited and automated immigration clearance at major checkpoints
around Singapore, if their foreign-issued passports are compliant
with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation
Organisation. Such cardholders who are eligible for automated
clearance will be advised accordingly at the point of
registration.
Phased introduction of the Long Term Pass
card
7 The LTP card will be introduced in phases:
By Immigration & Checkpoints Authority:
8 All new long term visit pass and STP holders will be
issued with LTP cards in the second half of 2008. The D/E cards
currently held by holders of long term visit passes and STP will be
converted to the new LTP cards in phases, or when they are renewed,
whichever is earlier.
9 For the convenience of STP holders, ICA has made
arrangements with selected education institutions to conduct the
registration of fingerprints on campus.
By Ministry of Manpower:
10 Currently all Work Permit and S Pass Holders are
already issued with a secure card with biometric features similar
to the new LTP card. In the second quarter of 2009, MOM will open a
new Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) to register and issue
the LTP cards to the following groups:
a) Employment Pass holders
b) EntrePass holders
c) Personalised Employment Pass holders
d) Training Employment Pass holders
e) Work Holiday Pass holders
f) Dependants Pass and long term visit pass holders whose
passes are tied to Work Pass holders (i.e. Dependants of Employment
Pass holders)
11 Existing Pass holders (listed in paragraph 10a to 10f)
and future Pass holders issued with the old D/E card will transit
to the new LTP cards from the second quarter of 2009 during the
renewal of their passes. Pass holders will be informed on when and
how to report for registration.
Further details
12 More details, such as the actual design and
security features of the LTP card, will be released closer to the
date of implementation.
Annex A
Long term immigration passes and work passes are issued for
foreigners to stay and work in Singapore, respectively. Currently,
these foreigners are issued with a Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E)
card to facilitate their immigration clearance when they enter or
leave Singapore.
2 The D/E card is a paper-laminated card which
contains essential information (e.g. name, date of birth and
Foreign Identification Number) of the pass holder. It does not
carry the holder's personal identifiers such as his photograph or
fingerprint. The main purpose of the D/E card is to facilitate the
immigration clearance of the pass holders when they enter or leave
Singapore.
A more secure card
3 The new Long Term Pass (LTP) card is a credit
card-sized, durable polycarbonate card that will replace the
current stamp endorsement on the travel documents and the
paper-laminated Disembarkation/Embarkation (or D/E) card issued to
Long Term Pass holders. The LTP card will incorporate fingerprint
biometrics and a photo image to provide a safe and secure means to
facilitate travel and serve as a form of identification.
LTP Registration Process
4 The registration process is non-intrusive and is
similar to the procedure that Singapore Citizens and Permanent
Residents go through to register for their Singapore Identity Cards
(NRIC).