Passports Regulations - Singapore Statutes Online

Passports Act

(Chapter 220, Section 3(1))

Passports Regulations

Rg 1

G.N. No. S 24/1971

REVISED EDITION 2000

(31st January 2000)

[25th January 1971]

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Passports Regulations.

Definitions

2. In these Regulations —

“alien” means any person who is not a citizen of Singapore;

“authorised officer”, in relation to any matter, means an officer authorised in that behalf by the Minister, and includes an overseas representative;

“certificate of status” means a certificate of status issued under the provisions of any regulations made under the Immigration Act (Cap. 133);

“citizen of Singapore” means a person who under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore has the status of a citizen of Singapore;

“Controller” means the Controller of Immigration appointed under section 3 of the Immigration Act;

“enter” means to enter by land, sea or air;

“immigration officer” means any immigration officer appointed under section 3 of the Immigration Act;

“leave” means to leave by land, sea or air;

“overseas representative” means a diplomatic or consular officer of the government in any foreign country and includes a Trade Commissioner of Singapore in any foreign country;

“Singapore passport” means a passport issued by the Government to a person who has the status of a citizen of Singapore;

“travel document” includes a document of identity whether issued by the Government or of any other country, and having the characteristics of a passport.

Authorised officers

3. The exercise of any power or function of an authorised officer under these Regulations shall in all cases be subject to any direction of the Minister.

Applications for Singapore passports, etc.

4.—(1) An application for a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or other document of identity for travel purposes, or for the renewal or endorsement of a Singapore passport, or for a visa for Singapore shall be made to an authorised officer in accordance with a form approved by the Controller.

(2) An application for a Singapore passport must be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.

(3) An application for a certificate of identity or other document of identity for travel purposes must be accompanied by 2 photographs of the applicant.

(4) The photographs referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) must have been taken within 3 months before the date of application and must comply with the specifications set out in the Fourth Schedule.

(5) An authorised officer may require an applicant to furnish such further evidence in relation to any application under these Regulations as the officer thinks necessary.

Issue of Singapore passports

5.—(1) Subject to these Regulations and any specific or general instruction issued by the Minister, an authorised officer may issue or refuse to issue Singapore passports.

(2) Singapore passports shall be issued in the name of the President and shall be valid for a period not exceeding 11 years.

Refusal of Singapore passports

6.—(1) Where a citizen of Singapore has been convicted by a court of law (including any military court) in Singapore or Malaysia for any of the offences set out in the Second Schedule, or has been admitted to an approved institution under section 37 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap. 185), an authorised officer may, in his discretion, refuse to issue a Singapore passport to him, or may endorse or cancel a Singapore passport issued to him, to prevent him from travelling to Malaysia at any time during the period —

(a)	of 2 years from the date of his release from the place of detention or, in a case where the court has imposed only a fine for the offence, his conviction therefor, or of his release from the approved institution; and
(b)	he is subject to supervision under regulation 15 of the Misuse of Drugs (Approved Institutions and Treatment and Rehabilitation) Regulations (Cap. 185, Rg 3).

(2) Nothing in this regulation shall be construed as affecting the right of an authorised officer to refuse to issue a Singapore passport to any other person.

Renewal of Singapore passports

7.—(1) An authorised officer may, from time to time, renew a Singapore passport which is valid for less than 11 years from the date of expiry or from the date of renewal, whichever is the later.

(2) The period of validity of the passport shall not in any case exceed 11 years from the date of original issue.

(3) A Singapore passport shall not be renewable in any case where the space thereon for visas is exhausted.

Collection of Singapore passports

7A.—(1) An applicant for the issue or renewal of a Singapore passport must collect the Singapore passport within 3 months from the date of the notice from an authorised officer informing the applicant that the Singapore passport is ready for collection.

(2) An authorised officer may cancel any Singapore passport that is not collected within the period provided in paragraph (1).

(3) The fee payable in respect of a Singapore passport that is cancelled under paragraph (2) shall not be refunded.

Cancellation of Singapore passports previously issued

8. Where an applicant for a Singapore passport has previously been issued with a Singapore passport, he shall, on demand by an authorised officer, produce that passport for cancellation before a new passport is issued.

Loss or destruction of Singapore passports

9.—(1) Where a Singapore passport is lost, destroyed or damaged, a new passport may be issued subject to such conditions as may be imposed by an authorised officer.

(2) If any person recovers possession of his Singapore passport after a new passport has been issued to him under paragraph (1), he shall within 14 days surrender the passport so recovered to an authorised officer for cancellation.

(3) Any person who finds or comes into the possession of a Singapore passport which does not belong to him shall, without undue delay, deliver it to the person to whom it relates or to an authorised officer or to a police station.

(4) Any person who —

(a)	makes any statement or gives any information relating to the loss or destruction of his Singapore passport which is false in any material particular, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true; or
(b)	fails to comply with any condition imposed under paragraph (1) or with this regulation,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(5) Where a Singapore passport is lost or damaged, a new passport may be issued on payment of the replacement fee specified in the First Schedule in addition to the normal fee for the issuance of the passport.

Appeals against refusal to issue Singapore passports

10. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the authorised officer to issue him a Singapore passport under regulation 5(1) may, within 30 days of the notification of the refusal, appeal by petition in writing to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

Certificate of identity

11.—(1) An authorised officer may issue a certificate of identity or other document of identity in the form approved by the Controller for travel purposes to any person who is stateless or unable to obtain a passport from a consular representative of the country of which he claims to be a national.

(2) Where a certificate of identity or other document of identity is issued under paragraph (1) for a specified period, an authorised officer may renew that certificate or document for such consecutive period as the authorised officer thinks fit.

(3) Regulations 8 and 9 shall apply, with the necessary modifications, in respect of a certificate of identity as they apply in respect of a Singapore passport.

Document of identity

12.—(1) An authorised officer may issue a document of identity in the form approved by the Controller for travel purposes to a person who is a citizen of Singapore in any case where, in the opinion of the authorised officer, it is unnecessary or undesirable to issue a Singapore passport to that person.

(2) Where a document of identity is issued under paragraph (1) for a specified period, an authorised officer may renew that document of identity for a further period as the authorised officer thinks fit.

(3) Regulations 8 and 9 shall apply, with the necessary modifications, in respect of a document of identity as they apply in respect of a Singapore passport.

Endorsement of particulars on Singapore passports, etc.

13.—(1) An authorised officer may, in issuing or renewing a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity or at any time thereafter, endorse the passport, certificate or document with such particulars in respect of the holder as the officer thinks fit.

(2) An authorised officer may, in renewing a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity or at any time thereafter, delete any endorsement made under paragraph (1).

Conditions on validity of Singapore passports, etc.

14.—(1) Subject to any specific or general instruction issued by the Minister, an authorised officer may —

(a)	in issuing or renewing a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity or any time thereafter impose any condition on the validity of the passport, certificate or document as he thinks fit, including restricting the validity of the passport, certificate or document for travel to any country; and
(b)	at any time vary any condition imposed under sub-paragraph (a).

(2) Where an authorised officer has imposed or varied any condition on the validity of any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity under paragraph (1), the authorised officer may require the holder to deliver the passport, certificate or document to him for the condition to be endorsed on the passport, certificate or document, or to cancel or vary the endorsement, as the case may be, within such time as the authorised officer may specify.

(3) Where the holder of the Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity fails to deliver the passport, certificate or document within the time required by the authorised officer under paragraph (2), the Controller may cancel the passport, certificate or document and such passport, certificate or document, as the case may be, shall thereupon become void.

(4) The person having the Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity in his possession or under his control shall, on demand by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector or an authorised officer, forthwith deliver it up to that officer.

(5) Any person aggrieved by the imposition of any condition on the validity of his Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity under paragraph (1)(a) or any variation of such condition under paragraph (1)(b) may, within such time as may be specified by the Controller, appeal by petition in writing to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

Cancellation of Singapore passports and other travel documents

15.—(1) The Controller may cancel any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity —

(a)	in accordance with any general or specific instruction issued by the Minister;
(b)	where the holder of the Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity has been convicted of an offence under regulation 9; or
(c)	in the case of a certificate of identity, where the re-entry permit of the holder of the certificate of identity has been cancelled under section 15 of the Immigration Act (Cap. 133).

(2) Any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity cancelled under paragraph (1) shall thereupon become void.

(3) The person having the Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity in his possession or under his control shall, on demand by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector or an authorised officer, forthwith deliver it up to that officer.

(4) An authorised officer may cancel any visa or any renewal or endorsement of a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity granted under or made under these Regulations and such visa or renewal or endorsement shall thereupon become void.

(5) Where the Controller or an authorised officer has cancelled a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity under paragraph (1) or cancelled a visa or a renewal or an endorsement of a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity under paragraph (4), the person aggrieved by the cancellation may, within such time as may be specified by the Controller, appeal by petition in writing to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

Power to take possession of Singapore passports and other travel documents

16.—(1) Any immigration officer or police officer not below the rank of Inspector or overseas representative may take possession of any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity which has been cancelled or any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity bearing a visa, renewal or endorsement which has been cancelled.

(2) Any person having in his possession or under his control any such passport, certificate or document shall, on demand by that officer or representative, forthwith deliver up the passport, certificate or document to him.

Power to search and take possession of cancelled Singapore passports and other travel documents

17.—(1) Any immigration officer or police officer not below the rank of Inspector may, without a warrant and with or without assistance —

(a)	enter and search any premises;
(b)	stop and search any person, vessel, vehicle, or premises or search any aircraft whether in a public place or not,

if he has reasonable grounds to believe that any cancelled Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity or any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity bearing a visa, renewal or endorsement which has been cancelled may be found on that vessel, vehicle, person, premises or aircraft.

(2) No woman shall be searched under this regulation except by a woman.

Certain passports to be invalid

17A.—(1) All Singapore passports issued exclusively for travel between Singapore and West Malaysia (referred to in this regulation as restricted passports) shall cease to be valid on 31st December 1999.

(2) The holder of a valid restricted passport which bears a period of validity up to a date after 31st December 1999 shall be entitled to a refund from the Controller of an amount to be determined in accordance with the Third Schedule.

(3) The refund shall be made in the manner described in paragraph (4), but the Controller may, in such cases as he considers fit, make the refund in cash.

(4) Where a person entitled to a refund applies for a Singapore passport, the Controller shall make the refund to him by claiming from him, in lieu of the fee which he is liable to pay under regulation 31 in respect of the application, the difference between the amount of that fee and the amount of the refund.

(5) The Controller need not make the refund under this regulation if the person fails to produce his restricted passport to the Controller on demand, or if his restricted passport is damaged.

Power to order passports and other travel documents to be delivered

18.—(1) Any person who holds a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity which has been obtained or is reasonably suspected by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector or overseas representative of having been obtained by means of any false or misleading statement shall, on demand by the officer or representative, forthwith deliver it up to the officer or representative.

(2) Any person entering or leaving Singapore who is in possession of a Singapore passport shall, if required by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector, deliver his passport up to the officer before he enters or leaves Singapore.

(3) If any person specified in paragraph (2) is allowed to retain his Singapore passport, an immigration officer may make a suitable endorsement on the passport before returning it to him, and he shall, if required by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector, deliver the passport up to the Controller at such place and such time as the officer may specify.

(4) A Singapore passport delivered up to an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector or overseas representative in accordance with this regulation may, subject to any direction by the Minister, be retained by the officer or returned to the issuing authority or be returned to the person who delivered it up, as the officer or representative thinks fit.

(5) Where the person specified in paragraph (2) fails to deliver his Singapore passport to the Controller within the time specified in paragraph (3), the Controller may cancel the passport and such passport shall thereupon be void.

(6) Any Singapore passport which is delivered to the Controller in accordance with any requirement made under paragraph (3) may be cancelled by the Controller.

(7) Any reference to a Singapore passport in paragraphs (2) to (6) shall include a reference to a Singapore certificate of identity or other similar document.

Taking of security

19. An authorised officer may, as a condition of the issue or renewal of a Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity for travel purposes, require such security, whether by cash deposit or otherwise, as he may think fit, to be furnished by or on behalf of the applicant, as a guarantee that the holder of the passport, certificate or document will return to Singapore on or before the date of expiry of that passport, certificate or document, or shall comply with any other condition subject to which it is issued or renewed.

Forfeiture of security

20.—(1) If an authorised officer is satisfied that the holder of any Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity for travel purposes issued under these Regulations has contravened or failed to comply with any condition subject to which the passport, certificate or document was issued, the authorised officer may direct the forfeiture of such security or any part thereof.

(2) Notice of the forfeiture of any security or part thereof shall be served on the holder of the Singapore passport, certificate of identity or document of identity.

(3) The notice referred to in paragraph (2) required to be served on any person may be served by forwarding the notice by post in a prepaid registered letter addressed to the person at his usual or last known address and the person shall be deemed to have received the notice.

Form of bond

21. Where an authorised officer requires security by bond under these Regulations, the bond shall be in a form approved by the Controller.

Production of passports on arrival and departure

22.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any person entering Singapore from a place outside Singapore and any person leaving Singapore for a place outside Singapore shall, if required to do so, produce to an immigration officer —

(a)	a valid passport which has been issued or renewed to him by or on behalf of the government of the country of which he is a subject or citizen; or
(b)	a valid travel document recognised by the Government and issued or renewed to him by a proper authority, and in the case of an alien, who is not exempted under regulation 25, a visa for Singapore issued by a competent authority.

(2) The immigration officer may, in the case of any person entering Singapore from a place outside Singapore and holding a valid entry permit, re-entry permit or certificate of status issued in accordance with the Immigration Act (Cap. 133), waive the requirements of a passport, travel document or visa.

(3) This regulation shall not apply to —

(a)

a member of the Singapore Armed Forces travelling on duty;

(b)

a member of such visiting force as the Minister may determine;

(c)

any person below 15 years of age whose name is endorsed on, and who is accompanying an adult in possession of, a valid passport or a valid travel document recognised by the Government and such endorsement has been authorised by the authority issuing such passport or travel document or by a proper authority;

(d)

any officer or seaman on the articles of any ship whilst the ship is in Singapore;

(e)

the pilot or any member of the crew of any aircraft in transit whilst the aircraft is in Singapore;

(f)

a bona fide Muslim pilgrim lawfully and permanently resident in Singapore returning from Saudi Arabia;

(g)

any person who is a member of the crew of any fishing vessel registered or licensed in Singapore and engaged exclusively in fishing who, having left the territorial waters of Singapore in that vessel, returns to Singapore in the course of the same voyage; or

(h)

any person entering Singapore on a direct journey from West Malaysia (other than a person whose presence in West Malaysia is unlawful under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force in West Malaysia relating to passports or immigration, or whose entry into Singapore has been prohibited by order made under the Immigration Act (Cap. 133)) who is —

(i)	a member of the Singapore Police Force or of the Royal Malaysian Police in possession of a certificate of appointment or an identifying warrant card, travelling on duty;
(ii)	a member of the Singapore Immigration Service or of the West Malaysian Immigration Service in possession of an identifying authority card, travelling on duty;
(iii)	a member of the Singapore Customs Service or of the West Malaysian Royal Customs Service in possession of an identifying authority card, travelling on duty;
(iv)	in possession of a Diplomatic identity card, a Consular identity card or an International Organisation identity card issued by the Government; or
(v)	a member of the Central Narcotics Bureau in possession of a certificate of appointment or an identifying warrant card, travelling on duty.

(4) The burden of proof that any person is a person to whom this regulation applies shall lie upon that person.

Visas

23. An authorised officer may endorse a visa on any passport requiring a Singapore visa.

Entry endorsement or approval-in-principle card

24.—(1) An authorised officer may, if he thinks fit, grant a multiple-journey entry endorsement on a passport or other travel document or an approval-in-principle for permanent residence card to facilitate entry into Singapore.

(2) Any entry endorsement or approval-in-principle for permanent residence card granted may be cancelled by an authorised officer and thereupon the entry endorsement or the card shall be void.

Exemption from visas

25. Any alien who is a national of a country with which Singapore has entered into an agreement for the abolition or partial abolition of visas is exempted from the requirement of a visa under regulation 22(1)(b).

Validity of visas

26. The visa referred to in these Regulations shall, unless otherwise stated therein, be valid for a single journey within the period of its validity.

Particulars required in passports

27.—(1) Every passport or travel document shall state the name and nationality of the person to whom it relates and shall contain his photograph.

(2) An immigration officer may, in any case and subject to such conditions as he may think fit to impose, dispense with the need for the passport or travel document to contain a photograph.

Offences

28. Any person who contravenes regulation 14, 15(3), 16 or 18 shall be guilty of an offence.

Entry contrary to these Regulations

29. Any person who enters Singapore contrary to the provisions of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty

30. Any person guilty of an offence under these Regulations shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Fees

31.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 17A(4), fees, in accordance with the First Schedule, shall be payable in advance in respect of the matters mentioned therein.

(2) An authorised officer may exempt the following persons from the payment of fees under these Regulations:

(a)	persons in respect of whom the authorised officer is of the opinion that in view of the special circumstances it is not desirable that any fee shall be charged; and
(b)	persons who are being repatriated or removed from Singapore to any other country at public expense.

Powers of arrest

32.—(1) Any immigration officer or police officer not below the rank of Inspector may arrest without a warrant any person who he reasonably believes has committed an offence under these Regulations.

(2) Any person who enters or attempts to enter or is reasonably suspected of having entered Singapore in contravention of these Regulations may be taken into custody by an immigration officer or a police officer not below the rank of Inspector.

(3) Where any person is arrested by an immigration officer under paragraph (1) or (2), the officer making the arrest shall comply with sections 35 and 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68) as if he were a police officer.

Authority of immigration officer to arrest and prosecute

33.—(1) Every immigration officer shall have the authority and powers of a police officer not below the rank of Inspector to enforce these Regulations or any other regulations made under the Act relating to arrest and detention.

(2) Every immigration officer shall have the authority to appear in court and conduct any prosecution in respect of any offence under these Regulations or any other regulations made under the Act.

Saving

34. Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed in diminution of any powers conferred by any other written law affecting the entry and landing of any person in Singapore.

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