Heavy traffic, extra vape checks at Woodlands & Tuas checkpoints during school holidays

Thinking of taking a trip across the border? Think again.

Heavy traffic is expected at both of Singapore's land checkpoints during the upcoming year-end school holidays, from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1, 2026. 

In a Nov. 17 travel advisory, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that travellers should expect longer than usual waiting times to clear immigration as such.

Furthermore, intensified checks against e-vaporiser smuggling are scheduled to take place, which may further affect waiting times. 

Nearly 2 million travellers on Deepavali long weekend

The recent Deepavali long weekend from Oct. 17 to 20 saw close to two million travellers cross Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, ICA said.

At its peak, over 550,000 travellers cleared immigration via land crossings in a single day.

ICA warned that car travellers who departed during the peak hours of the long weekend had to wait up to three hours to clear immigration, due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.

How to beat the jam

ICA advised travellers to check the traffic situation online prior to setting off on their trip.

For more convenient immigration clearance, those travelling by car and motorcycle can also use QR codes generated via the MyICA mobile app.

Passports must still be brought along as they are required for overseas travel.

Travellers may also consider using cross-border bus services to avoid the worst of the congestion.

The authority said:

"We seek travellers’ understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline.

ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions or commit offences at the checkpoints."

Top photo from Onemotoring