---
title: Getting a FIN and Singpass in Singapore (Foreigners)
country: singapore
service: "nric-fin-singpass-foreigner"
category: identification
difficulty: moderate
estimated_time: FIN appears on the IPA letter within 3 working days of pass approval; Singpass registration via Face Verification is instant online
cost_range: "SGD 0-60"
last_verified: 2026-05-23
canonical: https://publicservices.guide/singapore/nric-fin-singpass-foreigner/
status: current
confidence: low
tags:
  - identification
  - singpass
  - foreigner
  - "first-week"
  - myinfo
sources:
  - https://www.tech.gov.sg/products-and-services/for-citizens/digital-services/singpass/
  - https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-pass-general/how-do-i-find-out-the-fin-of-my-work-permit-holder-if-it-is-not-found-in-the-approval-letter
  - https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/LTVP/cof-and-issue
  - https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/collect
  - https://docs.developer.singpass.gov.sg/docs/data-catalog-myinfo/catalog/personal
  - https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/new-m-fin-series-to-be-introduced-from-1-january-2022
  - https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/ica-will-issue-only-digital-long-term-passes-from-27-february-2023-issuance-of-physical-cards-will-cease
  - https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2024/major-retail-banks-to-introduce-singpass-face-verification
---

# Getting a FIN and Singpass in Singapore (Foreigners)

**Country:** 🇸🇬 Singapore  
**Last verified:** 2026-05-23  
**Estimated time:** FIN appears on the IPA letter within 3 working days of pass approval; Singpass registration via Face Verification is instant online  
**Cost:** SGD 0-60

## Required documents

- **Singapore Long-Term Pass approval** *(In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter)*
  - Where to get: Issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for LTVP, STP, DP; or by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for EP, S Pass, Work Permit, EntrePass, PEP
  - Required: The IPA letter — issued once the pass application is approved — carries the assigned FIN
  - _Note:_ The FIN is not separately applied for. ICA or MOM assigns it as part of pass processing. For a new Work Permit, MOM states the FIN is assigned within 3 working days of approval and appears on the IPA letter.
- **Passport (original)**
  - Where to get: Issued by your home country
  - Required: Original travel document used to identify the pass holder at completion-of-formalities steps
  - _Note:_ Passport details flow into the underlying pass record. For FIN holders, the passport number itself is not exposed via MyInfo to third-party services — that field is reserved for Singapore Citizens. Keep the physical passport on hand for any in-person verification at an ICA Services Centre appointment.
- **Date of birth**
  - Where to get: On the passport and on the pass record
  - Required: Paired with the FIN to identify the applicant for Singpass registration and for alternative pass-retrieval routes
  - _Note:_ FIN plus date of birth is the identifier pair Singpass uses at the start of the Face Verification flow. The same pair, together with a unique transaction ID and an OTP, is the fallback that lets a FIN holder retrieve their digital long-term pass via the MyICA mobile app, MyICA e-Service, or FileSG before Singpass is set up.
- **Webcam-equipped computer or mobile device with a front-facing camera**
  - Where to get: Your own laptop or phone
  - Required: Used to complete the on-screen face scan during Singpass registration
  - _Note:_ Singpass Face Verification (SFV) compares the live capture against the government's biometric reference held under the national identity record. The same SFV step is required again when installing the Singpass app for the first time on a new device.
- **Singapore mobile number**
  - Where to get: Local telco SIM activated in your name
  - Required: SMS-OTP fallback at Singpass login and during certain transaction flows
  - _Note:_ A Singapore mobile number is the practical default for OTP. Foreigners who do not yet hold one can still complete registration where the device-based Singpass app login is available, but a local number simplifies day-to-day authentication.

## Costs

- **Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issuance fee:** 60 SGD — Charged by ICA on issuance of the LTVP. Verbatim S$60 figure on the ICA LTVP completion-of-formalities page (accessed 2026-05-23). Applies when the foreigner's pass route is LTVP.
- **Multiple Journey Visa (alongside LTVP or STP, where applicable) (optional):** 30 SGD — Optional add-on payable to ICA where the pass holder requires multiple-entry visa rights tied to their pass. S$30 figure on the ICA LTVP and STP pages (accessed 2026-05-23).
- **Student's Pass (STP) issuance fee:** 60 SGD — Charged by ICA on issuance of the Student's Pass. Verbatim S$60 figure on the ICA STP collect-pass page (accessed 2026-05-23). Applies when the foreigner's pass route is STP.
- **Singpass account registration:** 0 SGD — GovTech publishes Singpass — and the Singpass app and MyInfo retrieval by the individual — at no fee. Confirmed against the Singpass product page at tech.gov.sg (accessed 2026-05-23).

## Steps

### 1. Confirm pass approval and locate the FIN on the IPA letter

- Wait for the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter from ICA (for LTVP, STP, or DP) or MOM (for EP, S Pass, Work Permit, EntrePass, or PEP).
- Locate the FIN on the IPA letter. The FIN is a 9-character alphanumeric identifier — one of F, G, or M, followed by 7 digits and a checksum letter — assigned to the pass holder as part of pass processing.
- If the FIN is not yet on the IPA letter for a new Work Permit, the 3-working-day FIN-assignment window has not yet elapsed. Wait and re-check before raising a case.

> **Tip:** MOM publishes the timing directly: "The Foreign Identification Number (FIN) of a new Work Permit holder will be assigned within 3 working days after the Work Permit application is approved". The FIN is a by-product of pass processing — there is no separate FIN application form.

### 2. Complete pass formalities and pay the issuance fee

_Applies when: Where pass type is LTVP, STP, or DP_

- Download the Terms and Conditions form for the pass type from the ICA portal.
- Upload the completed form and any medical examination report within 30 days of the approval notification, per the LTVP completion-of-formalities flow on the ICA portal.
- Pay the ICA issuance fee within 30 days of being notified. The LTVP and STP fees are S$60 each; the optional Multiple Journey Visa is an additional S$30.
- Attend the Services Centre appointment at 2 Crawford Street, Level 3, Singapore 207218 where the system determines an in-person visit is required (typical for STP biometrics capture); otherwise the digital pass issues straight after payment.

> **If this fails:** Where the in-person Services Centre appointment is required, the IPA letter is valid for three months from issuance. Book the appointment via ICA e-Service inside that window — the appointment is strictly by booking and ICA does not accept walk-ins.

### 3. Register for Singpass using your FIN

- Open singpass.gov.sg and follow the Register for Singpass link, which routes to the canonical registration instructions URL at portal.singpass.gov.sg.
- Enter your FIN and date of birth on the registration form.
- Complete the on-screen Face Verification scan. Singpass Face Verification compares the live capture against the government's biometric reference held under the national identity record.
- If your device or environment cannot complete the online face scan, the in-person alternative is a Singpass self-service Face Verification kiosk at a selected public service centre.

> **Tip:** Singpass is open to individuals at least 15 years old who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or FIN holders. The Singpass Registration Guide PDF — linked from the official Singpass individuals page at portal.singpass.gov.sg — is the canonical step-by-step reference for the registration flow if you want to read ahead before starting.

### 4. Install the Singpass app and complete the app-setup face scan

- Install the Singpass app from the App Store or Google Play. The app landing page is app.singpass.gov.sg.
- Sign in with the credentials set during web registration.
- Complete the additional Face Verification step that the app applies during setup.
- Once set up, the app supports QR-code login, biometric login, digital signing of forms, and retrieval of documents including the digital long-term pass.

> **Tip:** The additional Face Verification step at app setup has been required from 10 October 2022 onwards as a measure against scams and unauthorised account access. Plan for a quiet, well-lit space — the face scan needs a clear, head-on capture.

### 5. Retrieve the digital long-term pass

_Applies when: Where pass type is LTVP, STP, or DP_

- Wait three working days from pass issuance. The ICA LTVP completion-of-formalities page states the digital LTP becomes viewable on the Singpass app after three working days.
- Open the Singpass app and navigate to the documents section to view the pass.
- Alternative routes: the MyICA mobile app, the MyICA e-Service on ica.gov.sg, or the FileSG portal — each accepts Singpass login, or FIN + date of birth + unique transaction ID + OTP as a fallback.
- Save or share the digital pass with employers, schools, or service providers as proof of immigration status.

> **If this fails:** If you held a physical Long-Term Pass card issued before the ICA digital-only transition, the card remains valid until its printed expiry or formal cancellation. The digital-only transition applies to new issuances forward — not to physical cards already in circulation.

## FAQ

### Is the FIN the same as the NRIC?

No. The two are distinct identifiers under different administrative tracks:

- NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) is the identifier carried by Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents under the National Registration Act 1965.
- FIN (Foreign Identification Number) is the identifier assigned to foreigners holding a Long-Term immigration pass — Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass, LTVP, STP, or Dependant's Pass.

Both share the same 9-character shape (letter prefix + 7 digits + checksum letter), and both can be the input to Singpass. A foreigner who later becomes a Permanent Resident receives a new NRIC; until then, the FIN is the operative identifier wherever a Singapore service asks for "NRIC or FIN".


### How long does it take for the FIN to appear after pass approval?

For a new Work Permit, MOM publishes that the FIN is assigned within 3 working days of approval and appears on the In-Principle Approval letter. For LTVP, STP, and DP processed by ICA, the digital long-term pass becomes viewable on the Singpass app three working days after issuance. EP, S Pass, EntrePass, and PEP follow the pass-specific workflow on the relevant MOM page — there is no separate aggregator timing statement.

### Why does my F or G FIN no longer match newer formats I see?

The M prefix is the current FIN series. F-series numbers were issued before 2000 and G-series numbers were issued from 2000 through the end of 2021; both are still valid and in use. M-series numbers were introduced because the earlier series were depleting. If you encounter a private system that does not recognise an M-prefix FIN, it is most likely a third-party system that has not yet updated to accept the new prefix — the M-series went live on 1 January 2022 and was the recommended migration cutoff for private entities.

### Can I use MyInfo to autofill forms as a foreigner?

Yes — MyInfo is accessible to FIN holders once you have an active Singpass account. The catch is field coverage. FIN-specific fields populate (pass type, pass status, pass expiry date, employment sector). Universal fields populate (name, sex, date of birth, nationality, registered address, contact details). However, fields reserved for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents — alias name, Hanyu Pinyin variants, married name, secondary race, dialect, residential status, passport number, passport expiry — stay blank when third-party services retrieve your profile. A service that gates eligibility on those SC/PR-only fields will not be completable via MyInfo autofill alone.

### What if Face Verification fails during Singpass registration?

Face Verification is described in the official Singpass FAQ as a compulsory security measure applied to all Singpass users. Where it fails repeatedly, the published route is to contact Singpass support via ask.gov.sg/singpass or singpass.gov.sg/main/contact. A common upstream cause is an out-of-date address on your FIN-bearing record at ICA or MOM — Face Verification keys off that record, so update the address-of-record first, then retry. Self-service Face Verification kiosks at selected public service centres are an alternative in-person route to complete identity verification.

### Do I lose my FIN when my pass expires?

No. Per the ICA M-series media release, FINs are non-recyclable and stay unique to each individual permanently. Pass status may lapse; the FIN itself does not. A foreigner who left Singapore and returns under a new pass retains the same FIN across both stints. Standard Singpass eligibility is, however, tied to holding a current FIN-bearing pass — if the pass is cancelled or lapses, continued e-service access for foreigners follows a separate path — the Singpass Foreign user Account (SFA), applied for through IRAS.

### Can I retrieve my digital long-term pass before I set up Singpass?

Yes. A FIN holder who has not yet registered for Singpass can retrieve their digital LTP via the MyICA mobile app, the MyICA e-Service, or the FileSG portal, authenticating with FIN + date of birth + a unique transaction ID + an OTP. Once Singpass is set up, the same digital pass is also retrievable through the Singpass app — the simpler day-to-day route once authentication is in place.

## Sources

- [Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech)](https://www.tech.gov.sg/products-and-services/for-citizens/digital-services/singpass/) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — Singpass is Singapore's national digital identity service operated by GovTech. Eligibility is open to individuals at least 15 years old who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Foreign Identification Number holders. The service is published at no fee and Singpass Face Verification — both online via webcam and via in-person kiosks at selected public service centres — is the canonical registration path. Singpass authenticates access to more than 2,700 services across 800 agencies.
- [Ministry of Manpower](https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-pass-general/how-do-i-find-out-the-fin-of-my-work-permit-holder-if-it-is-not-found-in-the-approval-letter) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — MOM FAQ states the Foreign Identification Number of a new Work Permit holder is assigned within 3 working days after the Work Permit application is approved, and appears on the In-Principle Approval letter once assigned. FIN assignment is a by-product of pass processing — there is no separate FIN application form.
- [Immigration & Checkpoints Authority](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/LTVP/cof-and-issue) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — ICA LTVP completion-of-formalities flow: download Terms and Conditions form, upload completed form and any medical examination report within 30 days of approval notification, pay the S$60 LTVP issuance fee within 30 days of payment notification, and complete a Services Centre appointment at 2 Crawford Street where required. The optional Multiple Journey Visa is an additional S$30. Digital LTP becomes viewable on the Singpass app three working days after issuance.
- [Immigration & Checkpoints Authority](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/collect) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — ICA Student's Pass collection flow: download and acknowledge the STP Terms and Conditions form, submit medical examination report where applicable, complete formalities at the ICA Services Centre or via offsite school enrolment, provide biometrics at the appointment. STP issuance fee is S$60. The optional Multiple Journey Visa is an additional S$30. From 27 February 2023, STPs are issued in digital form only.
- [GovTech (Singpass Developer Docs)](https://docs.developer.singpass.gov.sg/docs/data-catalog-myinfo/catalog/personal) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — MyInfo personal data catalog enumerates fields by holder type. Universal fields (available to Citizens, Permanent Residents, and FIN holders): NRIC/FIN identifier, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, registered address, contact details. FIN-only fields: pass type, pass status, pass expiry date, employment sector. SC/PR-only fields (blank for FIN holders): alias name, Hanyu Pinyin name and variants, married name, secondary race, dialect, residential status, passport number, passport expiry date.
- [Immigration & Checkpoints Authority](https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/new-m-fin-series-to-be-introduced-from-1-january-2022) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — ICA media release announcing the M-series FIN, introduced from 1 January 2022. The release confirms the FIN format (single-letter prefix + 7 digits + checksum letter), notes that earlier F-series (pre-2000) and G-series (2000 through 31 December 2021) numbers remain valid, and states that FINs cannot be recycled — they remain unique to each individual permanently. Private entities were advised to update their systems to accept the new prefix to minimise business disruption.
- [Immigration & Checkpoints Authority](https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/ica-will-issue-only-digital-long-term-passes-from-27-february-2023-issuance-of-physical-cards-will-cease) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — ICA media release confirming that from 27 February 2023 the authority ceased issuing physical Long-Term Pass cards. Only digital LTPs are issued going forward. The transition applies to LTVP, STP, and DP. Digital pass retrieval routes: MyICA mobile app, MyICA e-Service, FileSG portal, and the Singpass app for account holders. Authentication via Singpass login, or as an alternative via FIN + date of birth + unique transaction ID + OTP. Physical cards issued before that date remain valid until printed expiry or formal cancellation.
- [Monetary Authority of Singapore](https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2024/major-retail-banks-to-introduce-singpass-face-verification) — accessed 2026-05-23 — _T1_ — MAS media release announcing that major retail banks in Singapore would begin implementing Singpass Face Verification at digital-token setup for retail banking customers, with progressive rollout starting from 18 September 2024. The release frames the change as a bank-channel scam-prevention measure layered on top of existing Singpass authentication.

---

Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state.
Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/singapore/nric-fin-singpass-foreigner/