New Prefix for long term pass holders

[sundaymorningstaple]

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

The ICA will introduce a new FIN series with the prefix M from 1 January 2022. Similar to the format of the F and G FIN series, the new M FIN series will start with the prefix M, followed by seven digits and a checksum letter (e.g. M1234567B). Foreigners who are currently assigned with the F and G FIN series will not be affected by the introduction of the M FIN series.
Read on: https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publica ... urYgThiK8k


FINs Cannot Be Recycled-Question came up a week or so ago. This confirms my answer at that time.

Like the identification numbers for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, FINs are unique to each individual and cannot be re-assigned to other foreigners after the pass holders have left Singapore permanently or have passed on. This means that the available FINs in each series will deplete over time.

[malcontent]

Thanks SMS… guess I’ll always be an F

[malcontent]

We all know what the F stood for… how about the M? And why no H, I, J, K or L?

That also makes me wonder what will be after T on the SC/PR side. Probably not U.

[MOCHS]

https://sg.theasianparent.com/singapore ... -facts/amp

S is the 19th letter of the alphabet for those born in the 1900s. When the new millennium came around, anyone born from 2000 onward had the T prefix.

As for why they chose F, maybe ‘cos FIN stands for Foreign Identification Number? *shrug*

F for those issued before 2000, G for those issued after 2000.

[malcontent]

S is the 19th letter of the alphabet for those born in the 1900s. When the new millennium came around, anyone born from 2000 onward had the T prefix.

I believe that some clever person came up with that alternate explanation long after they started using S as the first letter. But that is just my take.

[lolz512]

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

The ICA will introduce a new FIN series with the prefix M from 1 January 2022. Similar to the format of the F and G FIN series, the new M FIN series will start with the prefix M, followed by seven digits and a checksum letter (e.g. M1234567B). Foreigners who are currently assigned with the F and G FIN series will not be affected by the introduction of the M FIN series.
Read on: https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publica ... urYgThiK8k


FINs Cannot Be Recycled-Question came up a week or so ago. This confirms my answer at that time.

Like the identification numbers for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, FINs are unique to each individual and cannot be re-assigned to other foreigners after the pass holders have left Singapore permanently or have passed on. This means that the available FINs in each series will deplete over time.

If you leave SG, then come back, will you have the same FIN as before?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Correct.

[malcontent]

Correct.

One guy in our office who has had 3 separate expat assignments in Singapore over his lifetime told me as much… each time he comes back they remember him and he gets the same FIN.

[PNGMK]

S was for second millennium. T is for third.

F is for Foreigner, G logically follows. Not sure why they didn't flip to H though. I guess M for Manpower Ministry issued as opposed to ICA.

I had an F number before I got my S but have no idea what it was.