Number of Complaints Regarding Persons Suspected of Misusing or Failing to Report Changes in Residential Address in the Past Year

Question:

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many complaints have been received in the past year regarding persons suspected of misusing an address or failing to report a change of residential address within 28 days of moving; and (b) what measures are in place to remove such persons’ names and rectify the official records to prevent affecting the access to various Government schemes by households at these residential addresses.

Answer:

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

1. Under the National Registration Act, all identity card holders who change their place of residence must report the change to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) within 28 days. They can do so online via ICA’s website. Those who fail to comply may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for up to five years, or both.

2. ICA received over 2,000 reports in 2024 regarding persons suspected of misusing an address or failing to report a change of residential address within 28 days of moving. ICA investigates all complaints and follows up to update its records where necessary.