Travellers crossing Singapore’s land checkpoints should brace for heavy congestion during the year-end school holidays from 21 Nov 2025 to 1 Jan 2026.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued an advisory urging motorists to factor in additional waiting times when planning their journeys to Malaysia.​
Recent Deepavali Weekend Saw Two Million Crossings
Close to two million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during the recent Deepavali long weekend from 17 Oct to 20 Oct. The peak occurred on 17 Oct, when over 550,000 people cleared immigration at the land checkpoints in a single day.​
Car travellers departing during peak periods over the Deepavali weekend waited up to three hours for immigration clearance due to traffic tailbacks from Malaysia.​
September School Holidays Recorded 5.8 Million Crossings
More than 5.8 million travellers crossed the two land crossings during the September school holidays from 5 Sep to 15 Sep. Traveller volume peaked on 5 Sep, with over 575,000 travellers clearing immigration at the land checkpoints in a single day.​
Intensified E-Vaporiser Checks Will Cause Additional Delays
ICA will conduct intensified checks against the smuggling of e-vaporisers during the upcoming school holidays, leading to longer waiting times. Travellers are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before starting their journey via the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website or ICA’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.​
QR Code System Offers Faster Immigration Clearance
Those travelling by car and motorcycle can use QR codes instead of passports for faster immigration clearance. Travellers need to download the MyICA mobile app to generate individual or group QR codes containing passport details.​
Up to 10 travellers’ passport details can be included in one group QR code, with each code stored and named in the app. Singapore residents, including citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, can auto-populate their passport details via Singpass when accessing the MyICA app.​
An individual QR code is valid for a year after generation or until the passport’s expiry date, whichever comes first. First-time foreign visitors entering Singapore and those re-entering using a different passport from their last visit must present their physical passport.​
Cross-Border Bus Services Recommended to Avoid Congestion
Travellers can consider using cross-border bus services to avoid congestion during peak periods. ICA has also advised travellers to bring their passports when travelling overseas, even when using QR codes.​
VEP Requirements for Foreign-Registered Vehicles
Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles must ensure their vehicle entry permits (VEPs) are valid before crossing. Those without a valid Autopass card, the VEP approval e-mail from LTA or valid insurance will be turned back.​
Singapore-registered vehicles entering Peninsular Malaysia require a VEP issued by the Malaysian Road Transport Department, managed through a tamper-proof RFID tag attached to the car headlights. The tag lasts for five years and is not transferable.​
Singapore cars without a VEP face fines of around $90 or Malaysian penalties up to RM2,000 (~$575).​
ICA Warns of Stern Action Against Non-Compliance
ICA has sought travellers’ understanding to cooperate with officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline. The authority will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints.​
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