The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) recently announced that starting in 2024, Singapore residents and visitors can clear immigration without their passports, The Straits Times reports.
The ICA originally announced its new clearance concept (NCC) in 2019. In place of passports, travellers can use face biometrics checks and QR codes for vehicles or the new, contactless Automated Border Control System (ABCS) for passengers. Approximately 800 automated lanes will replace manual counters at checkpoints in the first quarter of 2024.
The NCC transformation plan aims to provide faster and more secure immigration and Customs clearance, with trials conducted at Tuas Checkpoint and Changi Airport Terminal 4 in 2019. Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System (Apics) was trialled in 2022, with 94 percent of travellers capable of using it without assistance.
This is part of ICA’s transformation plan towards a “No Fuss; No Visit; No Waiting” experience and marks its 20th anniversary since the merger of Singapore’s Immigration and Registration Department.
ICA is collaborating with the Home Team and Technology Agency to roll out Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System (Apics) in phases at land checkpoints. Travellers who are driving can use the MyICA mobile app to create a profile and get a QR code. They can then scan the code at the manual immigration counters. The ICA officers will use the QR code data to conduct biometric facial image checks on them. Travellers can use the same QR code for future trips if passport details remain unchanged, the ICA says.
Apics lanes will, in stages, be implemented at Singapore’s Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from 2026 and 2028, respectively. The lanes use QR code scanning and biometric identity verification to reduce the need for officers stationed at every car lane.
The Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, the guest of honour at the event, says that ICA has been “agile, clear-sighted, bold” in adapting to new challenges posed by increasing traveller and cargo volumes.
The ICA added that a new Services Center would be located next to the existing building in Kallang and will open for operations in 2024. It is expected to become a one-stop centre for all ICA-related services, including passport application, identity card registration and self-collection of identity cards and passports.
Singapore recently made headlines for introducing additional e-gates with biometric technology developed by Tascent and NEC to its immigration process following an incident that caused lengthy delays at border crossings and resulted in 21 passengers missing their flights. The automated biometric immigration lanes are now open to travellers without needing pre-enrollment after 85,000 people were affected by the disruption.
