Getting a FIN and Singpass in Singapore (Foreigners)

Step-by-Step

1. 1

   Confirm pass approval and locate the FIN on the IPA letter

   1. 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).
   2. 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.
   3. 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. 2

   Complete pass formalities and pay the issuance fee

   Expat New Arrival Resident
   Where pass type is LTVP, STP, or DP

   1. Download the Terms and Conditions form for the pass type from the ICA portal.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. 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.

   ⚠️ Watch out: 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. 3

   Register for Singpass using your FIN

   Expat New Arrival Resident
   1. Open singpass.gov.sg and follow the Register for Singpass link, which routes to the canonical registration instructions URL at portal.singpass.gov.sg.
   2. Enter your FIN and date of birth on the registration form.
   3. 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.
   4. 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. 4

   Install the Singpass app and complete the app-setup face scan

   Expat New Arrival Resident
   1. Install the Singpass app from the App Store or Google Play. The app landing page is app.singpass.gov.sg.
   2. Sign in with the credentials set during web registration.
   3. Complete the additional Face Verification step that the app applies during setup.
   4. 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. 5

   Retrieve the digital long-term pass

   Expat New Arrival Resident
   Where pass type is LTVP, STP, or DP

   1. 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.
   2. Open the Singpass app and navigate to the documents section to view the pass.
   3. 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.
   4. Save or share the digital pass with employers, schools, or service providers as proof of immigration status.

   ⚠️ Watch out: 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.