Passport matters

If you do not intend to return to Singapore anytime soon and your passport is going to expire in < 2 years, you might want to apply for a new passport. Applying for a new passport via online will set you back $70 but it will save you the trouble of getting a new one later. Sg ICA carries forward a maximum of 9 months to your new passport. Unless you are moving to Canberra, collection of a new passport may be very lay chay and/or costly. Validity of a new Singapore passport


This 5+9 (5years+9months) is sort of a "magical" number if you intend to apply for Australia citizenship. To apply for Oz citizenship, you need to be an Oz resident for 4years. According to Immigration website the processing takes about 1 year. When you travel, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months. So a new passport should last you till you get an Australian passport. In theory at least. And assuming there are no complications with your application.

If you have a young son, get him a new passport.

If you have a new passport (ie a passport newer than the one indicated on your current Visa), you have to bring both old and new passports when you check in at the airport counter. The airport staff will help you update the system with your new passport number.

When you first enter Australia as a resident, go through the immigration counter. This should get you a datestamp chopped on your passport. When I first entered Australia "permanently", I went through the automatic gate. I regretted that cause now I have no official record of my first entry as a permanent resident. Besides a record for your personal remembrance, the initial date might be useful such as when you start to calculate when you can apply for your Oz citizenship or if you have fulfilled 2 out of 5 years for RRV purposes.