Passport-less immigration clearance trials at Changi Airport to start from Aug 5
Travellers at Changi Airport can soon clear immigration without presenting their passports. From Aug 5, Singapore residents will be able to get through selected automated lanes at Terminal 3 simply by using their facial and iris biometrics, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday (Jul 31).
It is part of a trial for the new passport-less clearance system, which will be progressively rolled out across all terminals in Changi Airport by the end of September, and at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December. Such a clearance process reduces the time taken by travellers to clear immigration by 40 per cent, the agency said in a press release.
The initiative is part of ICA’s plan to digitalise border clearance, in order to enhance each traveller’s experience and strengthen border security, it said. ICA added that the QR code clearance system at Singapore’s land checkpoints with Malaysia will also be extended to motorcyclists by next month. The system had been introduced for cars on Mar 19 this year, before being extended to bus drivers on Apr 15.
Passport-less immigration clearance for bikers by August, air travellers by September
Travellers will be able to enjoy an even easier and fuss-free immigration process at Changi Airport from August. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on July 31 said it will start passport-free clearance trials for arriving Singapore residents at selected automated lanes at Changi Airport Terminal 3 from Aug 5.
ICA expects to fully roll out the feature at all airport terminals by September. The move, which will allow Singapore residents and departing travellers to clear immigration using facial and iris scanners without having to present their passports, is part of ICA’s push to further automate the process and remove the need for passport checks.
Travellers will also be able to clear immigration with such scanners at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December. Meanwhile, QR code immigration clearance at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints will be extended to motorcyclists from August 15 and bus passengers by December. It will be extended for cargo vehicle drivers and passengers by end August.
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Passport-free immigration clearance to kick off with trial at Changi Airport from Aug 5
The passport-free clearance system will be progressively implemented at all terminals in Changi Airport by September and at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December
Some travellers at Changi Airport can look forward to passport-free immigration clearance starting next Monday (Aug 5).
As part of a trial, arriving Singapore residents will be able to get through selected automated lanes at Terminal 3, simply by using their facial and iris biometrics, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Wednesday (July 31).
The passport-less clearance system will be progressively implemented at all terminals in Changi Airport by September, and at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December. This clearance system will reduce the time taken for travellers to clear immigration by 40 per cent, ICA said.
Passport-Less Immigration Clearance to be Rolled Out Progressively at Changi Airport from August 2024
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. Under the New Clearance Concept (NCC), all travellers will enjoy automated clearance[1], and all Singapore residents and eligible foreign travellers will enjoy immigration clearance without having to present their passport.
There are two types of passport-less immigration clearance, to provide travellers with hassle-free and faster clearance:
- Token-less clearance at air and sea checkpoints: Singapore residents[2] at both arrival and departure, and all foreign travellers at departure, clear immigration using simply facial and iris biometrics, without the need to present their passport.
- QR code clearance at land checkpoints: Travellers use a QR code, instead of presenting their passport, during immigration clearance.
Token-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.
