Singapore’s ‘Passport-Free-Immigration’: Check How It Helps?

Web Desk — In what appears to be a major tech push to facilitate international citizens, Singapore will be starting passport-free immigration next year.

What’s Passport-Free Immigration?

According to Singapur Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), its residents and visitors will be able to clear immigration without passports. The new clearance concept was announced back in 2019 but was not put in place for certain reasons.

Travelers, with the new Singapore immigration system, will use face biometric checks and QR codes for vehicles or the new contactless Automated Border Control System (ABCS) for passengers.

Why Passport-Free Immigration?

Approximately 800 automated lanes will replace manual counters at checkpoints in the first quarter of 2024 for this passport-less immigration, according to an estimate.

The trials for the passport-free immigration system have already been completed successfully at Tuas Checkpoint and Changi Airport Terminal 4. The authorities are targeting swift and more secure immigration and Customs clearance with the new system.

Here, it must be kept in mind that the Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System (APICS) was tested in 2022 and its success can be demonstrated as 94 percent of travelers were capable of using it without assistance.

ICA, with the tech push, is working on a transformation plan towards a “No Fuss; No Visit; No Waiting” experience. In order to roll out Automated Passengers In-Car Clearance System (Apics), ICA is working with the Home Team and Technology Agency. The new system will be enforced in phases at land checkpoints.

The system facilitates drivers to use the MyICA mobile app to create a profile and get a QR code which will later be scanned at the manual immigration counters. The ICA staff will use the QR code data to match the traveler’s data. It is more interesting that travelers will be able to use the same QR code for future trips if passport details remain unchanged.

The APICS lanes will be rolled out at Tuas Checkpoint as part of the second phase in 2026. There will be no staff required at counters for travelers to scan their generated QR codes and present their biometric details for identity verification. These lanes will be introduced at the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint by 2028.

Singapore, already known for its technological advancement in multiple areas of life, will enter the new era with a passport-free experience. the new system would relieve visitors to rejoice instead of getting themselves involved in lengthy procedures and immigration checks.

UAE Green Visa For Freelancers/Skilled Workers – Check Details!

Singapore – Trourists’ Favorite Destination

Singapore, though a small country by land area, is visited by millions of people each year. According to estimates, the country received the highest-ever number of visitors (19.12 million) in 2019. The count dropped to just 2.7 million the next year due to the pandemic.

As far as the route to enter Singapore is concerned, 77.1% arrived by air in 2020, 14.3 % arrived by sea, and 8.7 % arrived by land.