Address Registration After Moving in Singapore: NRIC Update and MyInfo Guide

Singapore residents are legally required to update their residential address on their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) within 28 days of moving to a new address. Failure to do so is an offence under the National Registration Act. The update process has been substantially simplified through SingPass and the MyInfo system.

Photo: Wzhkevin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Legal Requirement

Under Section 8 of the National Registration Act, every Singapore citizen and permanent resident must notify the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of a change of residential address within 28 days of the change taking effect. The 28-day clock begins on the date you move in — not the date your lease begins or the date of property ownership transfer.

Non-compliance is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to SGD 5,000 and/or up to three years' imprisonment for repeat or aggravated cases. In practice, first-time minor infractions typically result in an administrative fine rather than prosecution, but the legal obligation is clear.

How to Update Your Address

Online via SingPass (Recommended)

The fastest method is through the ICA's e-Service, accessible via the SingPass app or the SingPass web portal. Once logged in, navigate to the NRIC address update function. The form requires:

• Your new residential address (must be a Singapore address)
• Date of change
• Confirmation that you are residing there — not merely registered there

The update is processed immediately. There is no fee for the address change itself; a new physical NRIC card reflecting the new address is not automatically issued unless requested, though your SingPass profile and MyInfo data are updated in real time.

In Person at an ICA Service Centre

If the online method is unavailable — for example, if SingPass access has lapsed — the address change can be made in person at the ICA Building at 10 Kallang Road, or at the ICA centres in Jurong East and Woodlands. Bring your NRIC and proof of residence (tenancy agreement, property grant, or statutory declaration). Appointments are recommended to avoid queues.

What MyInfo Updates Automatically

When you update your address via the ICA online service linked to SingPass, the change propagates to the central MyInfo system. The following agencies receive the update automatically, typically within one to two working days:

• Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) — for income tax notices and property tax correspondence
• Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board — for CPF statements and relevant correspondence
• Housing and Development Board (HDB) — where applicable
• Ministry of Education (MOE) — for parents with school-age children
• Central Depository (CDP) — for securities and investments registered with SGX

Agencies not connected to MyInfo — your bank, private insurance provider, employer, and subscription services — require separate notification. Most banks allow address changes through their online banking portal or mobile app.

Foreign Nationals and Long-Term Pass Holders

Employment Pass and S Pass Holders

Foreign nationals on Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass are required to update their residential address with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within 14 days of moving — a shorter window than the NRIC requirement. This update is made through the EP Online portal. Employers are also required to keep MOM informed of changes to the declared residential address of their pass holders.

Dependant Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass Holders

Dependant Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass holders update their address through ICA rather than MOM. The same 14-day window applies. The update is made via the SingPass portal if the pass holder has SingPass access, or in person at an ICA service centre.

Student Pass Holders

Student Pass holders must notify the Student's Pass Unit at ICA of any change of residential address. This is typically done through the educational institution's administrative office, which holds ICA reporting obligations on behalf of international students.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Registering an Address Where You Don't Live

ICA and Singapore's National Population data systems are used for census, electoral rolls, and law enforcement purposes. Registering a residential address at a location where you do not actually reside — even as a temporary convenience during a move — is a misrepresentation to a public authority. Beyond the legal risk, a mismatched address can cause complications with mail delivery, school registration zones, and HDB eligibility assessments.

Updating Only the Physical NRIC, Not MyInfo

Some residents focus on obtaining a new physical NRIC card with the printed address updated, while assuming the MyInfo system is also current. The two systems are generally synchronised when using the ICA online service, but if the card is updated separately — through an older process or a service centre workflow — confirm that the MyInfo address reflects the change before relying on it for other applications.

Delays After a Phased Move

Where a move takes place in phases — for instance, sleeping at the new address before all belongings are transferred — the 28-day window begins from the date of first occupancy, not the final delivery of furniture. If there is ambiguity, the conservative approach is to begin the countdown from the date keys were first received.