Singapore residents will be able to clear immigration at selected automated lanes at Changi Airport Terminal 3 from Aug. 5, 2024 by using their facial and iris biometrics without presenting their passports.

This is part of a trial for the new passport-less clearance system, which will be progressively rolled out across all Changi Airport terminals by the end of September, and at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced on Wednesday, Jul. 31.

Cut clearance time by 40%

Travellers can cut the time it takes to clear immigration by 40 per cent, the agency said, adding that the initiative is part of ICA’s plan to digitalise border clearance to enhance the experience of travellers and strengthen border security.

QR code system to be extended to other modes of travel

ICA added that the QR code clearance system at Singapore’s land checkpoints with Malaysia will also be extended to motorcyclists, including pillion riders, as well as cargo vehicle drivers and accompanying assistants by August 2024.

By December 2024, the QR code system will be implemented for bus passengers and those passing through the checkpoint counters on foot.

The system had been introduced for cars on Mar. 19, 2024.

It was then extended to buses on Apr. 15.

2 types of passport-less clearance

ICA’s New Clearance Concept has two types of passport-less immigration clearance.

The first does away with the need for any tokens of identification at all.

Singapore residents will be able to clear immigration at the country’s air and sea checkpoints without passports at both arrival and departure, while foreign travellers can do away with passports only at departure.

All travellers will be able to use the automated lanes for clearance, except children under six years old, as the physical features and biometrics of this group are still developing and may not provide a reliable means of authentication.

QR code

The second type of clearance is with the QR code system, which has so far been rolled out for cars at Singapore’s two land checkpoints in Woodlands and Tuas.

Token-less clearance is possible at the air and sea checkpoints, as ICA would know in advance the travellers coming through based on the advance manifests submitted by airline and ship operators, the agency said.

ICA added: “At the land checkpoints, such traveller information is not available beforehand.”

The QR code was introduced as a form of identification without the need for a passport to speed things up at the land checkpoints, ICA said.

However, ICA may also occasionally require travellers to produce their passport for verification, it added.

Top photo via Google Maps