Went down to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Head Office to collect my new biometric passport today, and had to put up with a four-hour wait. The BioPass, as it is called, contains a chip and antenna embedded in the data page, and is valid for five years.
Previously applied for the position of Immigration and Checkpoints Executive, and have the following information about the ICA.
'The ICA is a government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs. ICA has brought together the former Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) and the enforcement work performed by the former Customs & Excise Department (CED) at the various checkpoints.
Operational on 1 April 2003, ICA is responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons and cargo through our land, air and sea checkpoints. ICA also performs other immigration and registration functions such as issuing travel documents and identity cards to Singapore citizens and various immigration passes and permits to foreigners. It also conducts operations against immigration offenders.'
