The public will soon have to get used to the changes when applying for services by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore.
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Since the development of the MyICA portal, a web-based service platform accessible to all citizens with SingPass used for availing services offered by the immigration authority of Singapore, citizens have already been accustomed to using the platform for their immigration documents and citizen information.
No More Paper-based Applications for NRIC, Passport by 2020 – ICA
With the initiative set to be fully rolled out by 2020, paper forms for 15 of the ICA’s services will no longer be used, as shared in a report by the Straits Times. These services are:
- passport application,
- NRIC replacement/re-registration,
- Student’s Pass application,
- birth/death certificate of extract application/search,
- visa application for entry into Singapore,
- APEC business travel card application,
- extension of stay in Singapore (visit pass) application,
- long-term visit pass application,
- pre-marriage long-term visit pass assessment,
- re-entry permit application,
- permanent residence application,
- Singapore citizenship application,
- checking of validity of immigration passes, and
- NRIC and booking of appointment with ICA
The portal which was launched back in June of this year offered only eight services then, and have gone up to a total of 15 at present. According to the ICA, 88 percent of about 5.5 million applications the department received were coursed online.
In line with the proposed changes, the ICA has developed measures to help those who might be new to this type [online] of transactions. For one, first-time users of the MyICA portal can learn how to use the portal through an online video tutorial through the agency’s website and Facebook page.
Meanwhile, those who may have difficulty accessing the internet or those who require help to file their applications can use the self-service kiosks at the lobby of the ICA building located next to the Lavender MRT station, where staff can readily assist them.
And finally, the ICA has also taken consideration of those who might not be able to make the trip due to medical reasons, noting that special arrangements can be made to accommodate them.