Travellers will enjoy passport-less immigration clearance at Changi Airport starting from August 2024. This is part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) plan to strengthen border security, and at the same time enhance the traveller experience, by digitalising border clearance.
When fully implemented, both types of passport-less immigration clearance will reduce clearance time by 30 per cent to 40 per cent. Singapore is first in the world to implement passport-free clearance on a large scale according to Assistant Commissioner Phua Chiew Hua, deputy director at ICA’s operations division as reported in The Straits Times.
Under the New Clearance Concept (NCC), all travellers will enjoy automated clearance, and all Singapore residents and eligible foreign travellers will enjoy immigration clearance without having to present their passport. Children below the age of six years will not be able to use the automated lanes for immigration clearance as they are too young for biometric scanning.
This follows ICA’s announcement in May that foreigners of all nationalities arriving in Singapore will be able to use automated lanes at Changi Airport to clear immigration as part of the authority’s aim to provide faster and more secure immigration clearance.
Passport-less Immigration Clearance
There are two types of passport-less immigration clearance, to provide travellers with hassle-free and faster clearance.
At air and sea checkpoints, Singapore residents will be able to clear immigration at both arrival and departure, while foreign travellers will be able to enjoy passport-free clearance when leaving the country.
Passengers are encouraged to remove any coloured contact lenses or reflective glasses when using automated immigration clearance.
QR code clearance at land checkpoints: Travellers use a QR code, instead of presenting their passport, during immigration clearance. First-time foreign visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from the previous trip will need to present their passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to clear immigration using QR code on their subsequent trips.
Passport-less clearance is possible at the air and sea checkpoints as ICA would know beforehand, the travellers who are coming through the checkpoints, from the advance manifests submitted by airline and ship operators.
At the land checkpoints, such traveller information is not available beforehand. As such, ICA has introduced the QR code as a token of identification in lieu of the passport, for faster and more convenient border clearance for both individuals and groups of travellers. Group QR codes can be stored and reused for future trips if the travel group remains the same.
QR Code Clearance to be Extended to Motorcyclists at Land Checkpoints by August 2024
ICA has been progressively implementing the QR code clearance initiative for travellers at the land checkpoints, starting with car travellers on 19 March 2024. On 15 April 2024, ICA extended the initiative to bus drivers. Today, over 70% of car travellers and bus drivers use the QR code for immigration clearance.
ICA will be extending the initiative to motorcyclists and pillion riders, and cargo vehicle drivers and accompanying assistants, by August 2024, and to bus passengers by December 2024. The initiative will save travellers at the land checkpoints about 30% in time taken to clear immigration.
Passport-less Clearance at Air and Sea Checkpoints to Start from 5 August 2024
Live trials for arriving Singapore residents to enjoy token-less clearance at selected automated lanes in Changi Airport Terminal 3, will be conducted from 5 August 2024. Passport-less clearance will be progressively implemented at all terminals in Changi Airport by September 2024 and Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December 2024. Token-less clearance reduces the time taken for travellers to clear immigration by 40%.
Travellers Must Still Bring Along Their Passport
Even as passport-less immigration clearance at Singapore’s checkpoints is being implemented, travellers will still need their passport for immigration clearance overseas. ICA may also occasionally require travellers to produce their passport for verification.
ICA officers will continue to be around to help travellers who require assistance with automated and passport-less immigration clearance.
Reminder: If you are travelling to Singapore, be reminded that all Singapore residents and foreign visitors will need to submit the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration online, via the MyICA Mobile application, or on the Changi App before arriving in Singapore. So, do remember to submit your SG Arrival Card prior to your arrival for a smooth and seamless arrival immigration clearance at Changi Airport.
