PERSONS WHO MISSED DEADLINE TO RE-REGISTER FOR NEW NRICS DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Re-registration of NRICs is compulsory for Singaporeans born in or after 1962. This is not the case for Singaporeans born before 1962. For them, the re-registration is optional. However, if they re-register within 1 year of invitation, they need only pay a subsidized fee of $10. Otherwise, they have
to pay a higher fee of $60. This is not a small sum of money. I filed a PQ with the Minister for Home Affairs requesting that the subsidized fee period be extended given the effect of the pandemic. I was heartened to note from the Minister’s response that ICA is prepared to assess appeals for subsidized fee on a case-by-case basis. I believe this will help incentives the 72% of optional re-registrants who have not re-registered for their new NRICs. My PQ and the Minister’s answer may be accessed below.

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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) upon the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, how many Singapore citizens and permanent residents born before, in or after 1962 missed the 1-year deadline to re-register for their new NRICs, thereby forfeiting the option to pay the subsidised fee of $10 or $50 respectively; and (b) whether a one-off extension of time may be provided to these persons having regard to the effect of the pandemic on them.

Mr K Shanmugam: It is compulsory for Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) born in or after 1962 to re-register for a new NRIC within one year upon turning ages 30 and 55. These compulsory re-registrants will receive a notification letter from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to remind them to re-register within a year. Re-registrants are eligible for a subsidised fee of $10 for Singapore Citizens and $50 for PRs for the issuance of their new NRIC. NRIC holders who re­register beyond the one-year period will be asked for the reason for their late re-registration. However, the subsidised fee will still be extended to them. From January 2020 to December 2021, approximately 9% of compulsory re-registrants missed the one-year deadline to re-register for their new NRIC.

For SCs and PRs born before 1 January 1962, NRIC re-registration is optional. They will receive the notification letter from ICA to notify them that they have the option to re­register within one year at the subsidised fee of $10 for SCs and $50 for PRs. If they miss the one-year window, a higher re-registration fee of $60 will apply. ICA will assess appeals for the subsidised fee on a case-by-case basis. From January 2020 to December 2021, approximately 72% of optional re-registrants did not re-register for their new NRIC.