National Registration Identity Card (NRIC)

The NRIC is Singapore’s official identification document for all citizens and permanent residents. Each NRIC comes with a unique 9-character alphanumeric number starting with either ‘S’ or ‘T’. This number is permanent and used primarily for government administration and official transactions.

Identity Card (IC) Registration

All Singapore citizens and permanent residents must register for their Identity Card when they turn 15, and this must be completed before their 16th birthday.

Biometric enrolment is required as part of the registration process.

If you're studying in a government or government-aided school, your biometric data will be collected at school on a designated day.

If you:

1. are not attending a government or government-aided school, or
2. miss your school’s registration day,

you’ll need to make an appointment at the ICA Services Centre for biometric enrolment after completing your online application.

Foreign Identification Number (FIN)

The FIN is a 9-character alphanumeric identifier issued to foreigners holding long-term passes in Singapore, such as a Student’s Pass, Employment Pass, Work Permit, or Long-Term Visit Pass. It’s issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

You don’t need to apply for a FIN separately. It’s automatically provided when your long-term pass is approved and will be included in your In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter or other relevant documents. Each FIN is unique and not reused across individuals.

NRIC vs FIN Comparison Table

Re-Registration of NRIC at Age 30 and 55

Singapore citizens and permanent residents must re-register their NRIC at age 30 (before turning 31) and again at age 55 (before turning 56), unless they’ve already been issued a replacement IC within the past 10 years.

This re-registration allows you to update your photo and personal details. Keeping your IC photo current helps prevent identification issues, particularly for older individuals, and reduces potential security risks.

If you're living overseas during the re-registration period, you must complete the process within one year of returning to Singapore.

Validity and Expiry

The NRIC does not have an expiry date, but re-registration is required at specific age milestones (30 and 55).

Processing Time

1. NRIC applications are typically processed within 7 working days.
2. If you're also applying for a passport in the same submission, the combined processing time may take up to 3 weeks.
3. Delays may occur if your photo or documents don’t meet the stated requirements. Refer to the photo guidelines before submitting your application.
4. Once approved, you’ll be notified via SMS and email. Be sure to collect your IC within three months of approval.

IC Colours: Citizen vs PR

You can tell if an IC holder is a Singapore citizen or a permanent resident by the colour of the card:

1. Pink IC: Singapore citizen
2. Blue IC: Permanent resident

Fees