Passport Puzzler: TikTok‑Spotted ‘2023’ vs ‘2032’ Edition
Picture this: you’re standing in front of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), jaw‑dropping at the fresh brown card in your hand, only to realise the expiry year is a full decade shy from what you expected. That’s exactly what happened to Zenitsuwuwuwu, a 20‑year‑old Singaporean who turned a TikTok clip into a national curiosity.
What the Flick Revealed
- Issue date: 19 May 2022
- Expiry date: 1 March 2023 (instead of the usual 2032)
With Singapore passports valid for 10 years, the printed year 2023 is obviously off the mark. For a student planning a semester‑long stint in Germany, that would mean a sudden scramble.
Quick Confirmation from ICA
ICA’s spokesperson confirmed: No printing error occurred. They met the young woman at the ICA building (now closed the case) and presumably got the paperwork straightened out.
How the Story Unfolds
- Zenitsuwuwuwu posted a 15‑second clip on June 1, which amassed 28k views.
- After the clip, the user shut down her TikTok account—to keep the drama contained.
- Netizens rallied in support, with one even deciding to double‑check his own renewed passport after seeing the story.
Why Singaporeis Are Bouncing to ICA Now
With travel restrictions easing, many citizens are hustling to renew passports—lines total hours, some even lounging outside ICA to squeeze in as fast as possible. And for those like Zenitsuwuwuwu, a mere seven‑week wait now feels like a gamble for their next big adventure.
Bottom line: If you’re about to hop on a plane, make sure your passport’s of the right year. And if you see a TikTok that looks like a passport horror story, you might just be warning yourself!
Singapore’s Passport‑Point: The Saga of Waiting
“Hey, can you swap my passport right here?” one social‑media user cheekily asked. The answer from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was a polite “no‑peice” – at least not yet. Singapore’s official website confirms that a passport is still a product of patience, with an average wait of at least six weeks from the moment you file.
The Crunch Behind the Clock
- Daily supply vs. demand: 7,000 passport applications flood in each day now, compared with a modest 2,000 pre‑pandemic.
- ⏱ The catch‑up: ICA’s processing lines are hauling the backlog of those eager to re‑claim their tourist passports.
- Security first: Every application undergoes a stringent check, so speed isn’t the main culprit.
Why the Extra Time?
Since travel barriers eased, the surge in applications has turned the ICA’s waiting list into a persistent rush‑hour. Add in the strict identity checks and the inevitable queue of paperwork, and you’ve got an all‑out waiting game. The agency has made it clear that it’s not a matter of “on the spot” changes—everyone’s being processed in set batches.
What You Can Do While You Wait
- Keep your documents ready: A neat copy of your old passport, photo, and ID can help smooth the final stages.
- Stay informed: ICA’s website and countdown to passport eligibility are your best friends.
- Enjoy the scramble: If travel plans hang in the balance, maybe book a local tour—after all, you’ll still have apologies to write.
In the grand theatre of Singapore’s travel bureaucracy, the waiting room is now the audience. While your passport remains asleep in the system’s queue, you have a perfect excuse to catch up on those soap operas and those life‑planning books you’ve been putting off. And hey, when it finally arrives, you’ll have a story to brag about—“I survived the six‑week passport saga!”
