Planning to drive into Johor Bahru during the National Day long weekend?
You might want to prepare your playlist, charge your phone and settle your toilet business before leaving home.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Friday, 7 August, to Monday, 10 August 2026.
National Day falls on Sunday, 9 August, while Monday, 10 August, will be a public holiday. This gives many Singaporeans a three-day weekend and, naturally, the same idea of heading across the border.
Travellers Should Consider Early Mornings or Late Evenings
ICA did not provide specific peak-hour timings for the National Day weekend.
However, it encouraged travellers to plan their journeys in advance and consider crossing during non-peak periods, such as early mornings and late evenings.
Travellers should also check the traffic conditions at both checkpoints before leaving home.
Updates are available through the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring traffic cameras, the electronic signs along the Bukit Timah Expressway and Ayer Rajah Expressway, ICA’s social media accounts, and local radio stations.
Leaving home early does not guarantee an empty Causeway, but it is probably better than joining half of Singapore after lunch.
Motorists Recently Waited Up to Three Hours
The warning is not merely ICA being kiasu.
More than 18 million travellers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during the Hari Raya Haji period, Vesak Day weekend and June school holidays from 26 May to 28 June 2026.
Traffic reached a record high on 19 June, when more than 598,000 travellers cleared immigration at the two land checkpoints in a single day.
That surpassed the previous record of close to 589,000 crossings on 19 December 2025.
During peak periods, travellers crossing by car experienced immigration waiting times of up to three hours because of traffic tailbacks from Malaysia.
ICA has also conducted enhanced security checks at Singapore’s checkpoints since 28 February 2026 amid a heightened global security environment. Travellers should therefore expect longer clearance times during busy periods.
Use the MyICA QR Code, But Bring Your Passport
Travellers are encouraged to generate an individual or group QR code through the MyICA mobile application before reaching the checkpoint.
The QR code can be scanned instead of presenting each traveller’s passport during immigration clearance. It can be used by eligible travellers crossing by car, motorcycle, lorry or bus.
However, travellers must still bring their passports and ensure that they have at least six months of remaining validity.
First-time foreign visitors entering Singapore and travellers using a different passport from their previous visit may still need to present their passports.
Short-term visitors entering Singapore must also submit their Singapore Arrival Card and health declaration within three days before arriving.
Motorists travelling near Woodlands Checkpoint should take additional care because construction and road works are ongoing as part of the checkpoint’s redevelopment.
Queue Cutters May Be Sent Back to the End
ICA also reminded drivers to follow instructions, maintain lane discipline and comply with traffic rules.
Motorists caught cutting the queue will be directed to make a U-turn and rejoin the line from the back.
During the recent Hari Raya Haji, Vesak Day weekend and June school holiday period, 52 motorists were caught for traffic offences or dangerous road behaviour.
Enforcement actions included referrals to the Traffic Police for investigation and prosecution, orders to rejoin the queue, and bans from entering Singapore.
In other words, cutting the queue may save you a few minutes only to cost you several hours.
