Annual Cost of Providing Passport Services in Singapore

Question:

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the annual cost of providing passport services in Singapore and how is this cost currently being funded; (b) whether the Ministry assesses that there will be a decrease in the cost of passport administration with advancements such as passport-less immigration clearance; and (d) if so, whether the Ministry will conduct a review for the potential reduction or waiving of passport renewal fees and corresponding increase in the fees for replacing lost or damaged passports.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The passport application fee has remained unchanged at $70 since 2006. It is determined based on a cost-recovery basis, as with most other public services. This includes direct costs incurred for processing the application, and producing and issuing the passport. Costs related to checkpoint and immigration clearance are not included in the passport application fee.

2. We will continue to regularly review the various passport fees, including those for replacing lost or damaged passports.