IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Singapore is experiencing delays in processing Verification of Vaccination Requirements for dependent, student and long-term pass applications.

What does the change mean? Foreign-born children up to the age of 12 applying for a dependent’s pass, long-term visit pass or student’s pass may experience delays of up to 20 working days due to a heavy influx of vaccination verification applications received by the Health Promotion Board.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Dependent’s passes and long-term visit passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower, and student’s passes and long-term visit passes issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
  • Business impact: Expatriate families with foreign-born children up to the age of 12 should expect delays.

Background: Effective Feb. 1, foreign-born children ages 12 and younger who are applying for a dependent’s pass, long-term visit pass or student’s pass are required to show proof of vaccination against diphtheria and measles. While the vaccination verification stage was initially expected to require up to 10 days, it is taking much longer — sometimes up to 20 working days.

Analysis & Comments: Foreign nationals with children ages 12 and younger should prepare for processing delays during the vaccination verification stage and should plan to present proof of their children’s immunization records, including the measles and diphtheria vaccinations, as early as possible to the authorities.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.