All Changi Airport Terminals Will Now Be Passport-less Clearance, Which Will Take 10 Seconds

By
Archita Pandey
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The future is here.

Travellers can now clear immigration in an average of just 10 seconds by using their facial and iris biometrics.

And it’s in all Changi Airport terminals.

This upgrade, announced by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 24 October 2024, enhances the overall travel experience at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Here’s how it works.

All Changi Airport Terminals Will Now Be Passport-less Clearance, Which Will Take 10 Seconds

All travellers must submit their SG arrival card within three days before arrival in Singapore.

Foreign visitors are however, still required to produce their passports upon arrival, but can use their biometrics when they depart.

Travellers, like those with young children under six years old, who have to use the Special Assistance lanes, will still have to use their passports to clear immigration as the physical features and biometrics of this age group are still developing and may not be a reliable means of authentication.

Automated lanes are still equipped with passport scanners which can be used if there are any issues with a traveller’s biometric scans.

A few probable issues may occur if some travellers stand too far away from the camera or if they are not looking directly at it—but, rest assured, there are ICA officers stationed at the lanes to guide and assist them through the process.

A step-by-step guide by the ICA helps travellers navigate this new system.

Firstly, travellers are to submit their SG arrival card within three days before their arrival in Singapore. Please do this, because based on experience, this is usually the issue that causes a congestion.

Secondly, travellers are to scan their facial and iris biometrics at the automated lane. Upon verification, they are able to enter the lane.

Thirdly, at the second flapper, travellers are to scan their faces to verify their identity.

Upon successful verification, they will be able to exit the lane.

This new system has brought forth plenty of feedback, with most netizens applauding the seamlessness of this advancement and a few raising concerns to this development.

How it Benefited

In the past, immigration clearance was handled by Checkpoint Officers manually, and the previous clearance time for each traveller was an average of 25 seconds.

Because the system uses common foreign languages like Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesia, the new system has helped officers overcome potential language barriers with incoming foreign travellers while also relieving the strain and stress on the checkpoint inspectors.

Many netizens have taken it onto Facebook to share their support of the new passport-less clearance system, with many stating they are proud of Singapore for leading the faster adoption of advanced technologies.

A small group however, have shared their concerns for the risk of potential hackers and job opportunities for immigration officers.

As of 15 October 2024, almost 1.5 million travellers have cleared immigration without having to present a passport, including those involved in the trial last August.

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Archita Pandey