SG’s Changi goes passport-less; average 10 secs to clear immigration

The previous average clearance time for each traveller was 25 seconds, said ICA. The Straits Times/Asia News Network

SINGAPORE — It now takes an average of just 10 seconds to clear immigration at Singapore’s Changi Airport with travelers having to use only their facial and iris biometrics.

On Oct 24, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said since Sept 30 it has fully implemented passport-less clearance across all four terminals in Changi Airport.

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

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

The previous average clearance time for each traveller was 25 seconds, said ICA.

Travelers like those with young children who have to use the Special Assistance Lanes will still have to use their passports to clear immigration.

All travelers must submit their SG Arrival Card within three days before arrival in Singapore.

As of Oct 15, almost 1.5 million travelers have cleared immigration without having to present a passport.

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This includes those who were involved in the trial in August.

Singapore is the first in the world to implement such a clearance system on a large scale.

Travelers told the media at the Terminal 3 arrival hall on Oct 24 that they were very impressed by the system.

Mr Eric Taufan, 38, a Singaporean who works in mergers and acquisitions, said he wished all countries in the region would use passport-less clearance.

He said: “The system is really cool and smooth.”

Singapore residents can now clear immigration there by using just facial and iris biometrics, without having to present their passports. The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Mr Andy Bingham, 61, a British citizen who works in the energy sector and lives in Singapore, said he was very impressed.

He said: “It’s my first time using it, and it’s very quick. I’ve been to some places where you put your passport in and the machine doesn’t even recognize it’s a passport. This just scans my face, and I’m through.”

But issues crop up with the biometric scans when some travelers stand too far away from the camera or were not looking directly at it.

ICA officers stationed at the lanes will guide them through the process.

The automated lanes are still equipped with passport scanners which can be used should there be any issues with a traveller’s biometric scans.

However, to help travelers become more used to the passport-less system, a notice has been fitted above the passport scanners instructing them to look at the cameras instead of putting their passports in.

At the land checkpoints in Woodlands and Tuas, travelers 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.

More than 70 percent of travelers at both land checkpoints use the QR codes for immigration clearance.

There are plans for this option to be extended to bus passengers and travelers at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December.

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

ICA’s Senior Assistant Commissioner Alan Koo, Commander of Airport Command, said: “With automated clearance being the norm at our checkpoints, our officers are now redeployed to take on higher-value job roles, such as interviewing and profiling travelers, to safeguard Singapore’s borders.”