Is a FIN the same as an NRIC number?
No. An NRIC belongs to a citizen or PR identity-card holder, while a FIN is issued to eligible foreigners.
Identity Documents NRIC
NRIC Meaning in Singapore: NRIC vs FIN
The National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), officially called the Identity Card, is issued to Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are required to register for it; it is different from a FIN used for many foreign pass holders.
Key facts
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Singapore citizens and permanent residents register for an Identity Card at age 15 under ICA's registration rules.
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Citizen identity cards are commonly described as pink and permanent-resident identity cards as blue.
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A Foreign Identification Number (FIN) is an identifier assigned to many foreigners holding Singapore immigration or work passes; it is not an NRIC.
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A work-pass or long-term-pass card records pass status and expiry. A passport is the person's national travel document.
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Identity numbers are sensitive personal data; unnecessary specimen-style numbers should not be used in examples.
NRIC, FIN, pass card and passport
| Document or identifier | Who uses it | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| NRIC / Identity Card | Registered Singapore citizens and PRs | Singapore identity and citizen or PR card status |
| FIN | Many foreign pass holders | A foreigner's Singapore-issued identification number |
| Work-pass or long-term-pass card | Holder of the relevant pass | Pass type, validity and identification details |
| Passport | Holder under the issuing country's law | Nationality and international travel identity |
Frequently asked questions
Do work-pass holders receive an NRIC?
A work pass does not make its holder an NRIC holder. Work-pass holders generally use their FIN and pass-card details.
Related terms
PR / SPR
Singapore Permanent Residence
Singapore permanent residence (PR) is an immigration status that lets a non-citizen reside in Singapore on a permanent basis and work without an employer-sponsored work pass.
SC
Singapore Citizenship
Singapore citizenship is the legal status of being a Singapore citizen, with rights and obligations that differ from permanent residence, including passport, voting and National Service rules where applicable.
CPF
Central Provident Fund
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is Singapore's mandatory social-security savings system for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents, funded through employer and employee contributions and used for retirement, housing and healthcare purposes.