Singapore rolls out passport-less immigration clearance at Changi Airport

Singapore has rolled out passport-less immigration clearance across all four terminals at Changi Airport, officials said on Thursday.

Under the initiative, arriving and departing Singapore residents, which include Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, can clear immigration solely by using their facial and iris biometrics. However, children below the age of six years will not be able to use the automated lanes for immigration clearance.

All foreign visitors could also utilise that clearance method when they depart the country as their biometric details would have been captured on their arrival, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said, announcing that the biometric clearance had been implemented since Sept 30.

“All foreign visitors will still need to present their passport for immigration clearance upon arrival in Singapore,” the ICA reminded travellers, emphasising that travellers should still bring their passports with them as the documents might be required for immigration clearance at their destination countries.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Alan Koo, commander (Airport) of ICA, said the initiative had reduced the average clearance time per traveller by 60 per cent, from 25 seconds to 10 seconds.

“With automated clearance being the norm at our checkpoints, our officers are now redeployed to take on higher-value job roles such as interviewing and profiling to safeguard Singapore's borders,” he said.

The system is next set to be implemented at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December, says a Channel News Asia report.