ICA to only allow walk-ins for notified passport applicants from Jun 13

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will only accept walk-ins from applicants who have been notified beforehand from Monday (Jun 13).

In a press release on Jun 11, ICA said that passport applicants who receive notifications will need to bring supporting documents such as email notifications or e-appointment bookings to enter the ICA building.

Previously, applicants who need to travel urgently were allowed to present their supporting documents in person at the ICA building on a case-by-case basis.

However, applicants who need to travel urgently now will have to submit an online appeal to expedite the processing of their passports. They can check the status of their application by logging into the MyICA mobile app.

Since March 2022, ICA has seen a surge in passport renewal applications and is issuing “more than 5,000 passports per day”, thrice the number before the COVID-19 pandemic.

This implementation will free up resources and manpower currently utilised for crowd control, redeploying them towards the processing and issuance of passports.

ICA advised people heading down to the ICA building to come alone so as to reduce crowding. Children, the elderly or those with special assistance may still be accompanied by one other person.

ICA encourages eligible passport applicants to collect their passports at one of the 27 post offices at no additional cost instead.