WITH the introduction of biometric passports, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has reduced the validity period of a Singapore passport by half, from 10 to five years.

As a result, Singaporeans are required to renew their passports more frequently and incur the cost of $70 per passport if applications are submitted online or by post, or $80 if submitted at ICA counters.

As I understand it, the main reason for the change is that biometric- passport holders are not allowed to update their photos, and thus need to renew their passports to ensure that their photos are current.

Updating of photos was previously allowed for non-biometric passports, but ICA has since ceased the photo-updating service.

Updating passports every five years could be a waste of time and money, especially for infrequent travellers who hardly use their passports.

Also, this requirement should not be made applicable to adult Singaporeans.

Unlike children, adults' features do not change much over the years and there is no need to update passport photos in such a short period.

After all, Singaporeans do not need to update the photographs for identity cards regularly after they turn 30.

Thus, passports issued to adults who are above 21 at the time of issue could have a longer validity period of, say, 10 years.

This will help Singaporeans save the cost and hassle of frequent passport renewals.

It will also help to reduce the crowd and workload at ICA counters.

In addition, applicants are required to submit a colour passport- sized photo together with the application form.

However, photos in biometric passports are black-andwhite.

This is a step backward.

Since photos help identify passport holders, ICA should consider using colour photos in the passports.

I hope ICA will consider my suggestions favourably.

Mr Goh Kian Huat

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