Passport-less immigration clearance at Changi Airport from Aug 5

 

Singapore residents can clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics both on arrival and departure from next Monday. (Changi Airport pic)

SINGAPORE: 

Travellers to Singapore will progressively enjoy passport-less immigration screening at Changi Airport starting from next month as part of the new clearance concept (NCC) initiative to digitalise border checks.

The immigration and checkpoints authority (ICA) said under the NCC’s token-less clearance initiative, Singapore residents could clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics both on arrival and departure.

It is applicable for foreign travellers only at departure.

We will be conducting live trials for arriving Singapore residents to enjoy token-less clearance at selected automated lanes in Changi Airport Terminal 3 from Aug 5,

 ICA said in a statement.

Token-less clearance will be progressively implemented at all terminals in Changi Airport by September and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December.

The ICA said the token-less clearance, which could help reduce time spent on immigration clearance by 40%, was only possible at the air and sea checkpoints as airline and ship operators would be able to provide the agency with advance manifests.

Meanwhile, the QR code clearance initiative at the Tuas and Woodlands’ land checkpoints will be extended to motorcyclists and cargo vehicle drivers by next month, and bus passengers by December.

The initiative was introduced for car travellers on March 19, followed by bus drivers on April 15. More than 70% of car travellers and bus drivers currently use QR codes for immigration clearance.

The ICA said the initiative would save travellers about 30% of the time taken to clear immigration.

Travellers must still bring their passports as these would be required overseas and for verification purposes. - FMT