S, T, F, G.

Here’s a riddle for you – what do these letters have in common?

They may look like a bunch of random letters or some new abbreviation that the kids on TikTok like to come up with, but nope.

Every person residing in Singapore, locals and foreigners alike, would have one of those letters at the front of their unique identification numbers.

Starting from 2022, however, a new letter will be joining the family.

New M Series For FIN Numbers

Here’s something you may or may not have known about how identification number systems work here in Singapore.

Or if you want to, you can watch this video to the end and you’d be an expert in Singapore’s identification number systems:

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents have an NRIC number beginning with the letter S for those born before 2000 or T, if you’re born after 2000.

Meanwhile, foreigners with long-term immigration or work passes in Singapore have a FIN (Foreign Identification Number) assigned to them, beginning with F or G.

Those with FINs beginning with the letter F were assigned before 2000, while those beginning with the letter G were assigned after 2000.

Although no one knows what the letters mean, they’ve become very familiar letters to us.

Now, as we’ve entered the new decade of 2020 rather eventfully, it’s also time for a new FIN series to be rolled out.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), who’s in charge of handling registration and immigration services in Singapore, announced that there will soon be a new M series for FIN numbers.

FIN numbers beginning with the letter M will begin to be assigned from 1 January 2022, with the G series continuing to be assigned until 31 December 2021.

Identification Numbers Don’t Repeat Ever

Why would a new FIN number letter be rolled out so soon, you ask?

NRIC and FIN numbers assigned in Singapore are exclusively unique to each individual, and no one else can be assigned the same number as you.

In the case of FIN numbers, even if a foreigner who once resided in Singapore was to leave for good or pass away, no one else in history will be able to have the same number assigned to them.

As a result, FIN numbers can deplete rather quickly.

So in order to register and identify more foreigners who are in Singapore, the ICA said that they needed to bring in this new M series.

However, those with FIN numbers starting with F and G will not be affected by the introduction of the new series.

Governmental agencies will also have their systems updated to accommodate the new M series starting from 1 January 2022.

Additionally, private entities who require identification numbers for business processes are also advised to make the necessary updates to their systems to continue business smoothly.

Featured Image: Facebook (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority)