Singapore fully implements passport-less clearance at Changi airport

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore on Thursday announced that since September 30, it has fully implemented passport-less clearance across all four terminals at Changi Airport.

As a result, it now takes an average of just 10 seconds to clear immigration at the airport, with passengers having to use only their biometrics.

Singapore residents can now clear immigration there by using just facial and iris biometrics, without having to present their passports.

Foreign visitors will still need to produce their passports upon arrival, but can use just their biometrics when they depart.

Travellers, such as those with young children who have to use the Special Assistance Lanes will still have to present their passports to clear immigration.

All must submit their Singapore Arrival Card within three days before arrival in the country.

As of October 15, almost 1.5 million travellers have cleared immigration without having to present a passport. These include those who were involved in a trial in August. Singapore is the first in the world to implement such a clearance system on a large scale.

At the land checkpoints in Woodlands and Tuas, travellers in cars have been able to clear immigration using QR codes instead of their passports since March. Motorcyclists have been able to use the QR codes since August.

There are plans to extend this QR code option to bus passengers and the passportless option to travellers at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December.

The initiatives are part of ICA’s New Clearance Concept, announced in 2019, to provide faster and more secure immigration clearance.