Singapore's Changi Airport will be undergoing significant changes from August. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will begin testing a passport-free immigration system at Terminal 3 on August 5. If the trial is successful, the system will be rolled out to all terminals in September.
Passengers will only need to use facial and iris scanners to pass through screening without having to show their passports. The move is part of efforts to speed up the immigration process and provide a more convenient experience for travelers.
Besides Changi Airport, passport-free immigration will also be available at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre from December. This technology is expected to make the immigration process more efficient and reduce queues, as the screening time will only take a few seconds.
In addition to facial and iris scans, QR code-based immigration screening will also be expanded. Recent data from the ICA shows that over 70% of users, especially Singapore residents, have switched to using QR codes for immigration screening.
In response to the high level of public interest, the government is further expanding QR code screening for various types of vehicles, starting with motorcyclists (August 15), bus passengers (December) and cargo vehicles (end of August) at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.
Travelers can expect to complete the immigration process more quickly using the new authorization methods. This is especially true for those going through air and sea checkpoints, where screening times can be reduced by up to 40%. Travelers using QR codes can also see a reduction in screening times of up to 30%.
However, passports remain essential documents that all travelers must carry. Passports are required for various purposes such as obtaining boarding passes, inspections by officers, and identity verification by the ICA.
Additionally, Malaysia still requires the use of physical passports at land checkpoints, so travelers crossing the land border must still carry their passports.
Moreover, since the facial and biometric features for children under six are still being developed, they are not yet able to use the passport-free automated screening system. Therefore, families traveling with young children must use the Special Assistance Lane, where ICA officers will assist in the screening process using the child's passport manually.
It is important to note that foreign visitors who are traveling to Singapore for the first time or who are re-entering with a different passport are required to undergo passport checks during their initial visit. For subsequent visits, the QR code system may be used.
Source: Straits Times | Channel News Asia
