Traveling out of Singapore is about to get way easier!
Starting in 2024, citizens of Singapore and tourists departing from the little red dot won’t be needing to use their passports anymore to pass through checkpoints.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has announced that it aims to provide faster and more secure immigration and customs clearance services by implementing 800 automated lanes that utilize a brand-new contactless Automated Border Control System (ABCS).
The ABCS system uses biometric technology for departees to enjoy a quick contactless clearance experience so they no longer need to present their passports to immigration officers.
Next year, those traveling out of Singapore by land will also have to ready their profiles and QR codes after registering on the MyICA mobile app using details from Singpass or their passports for the Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System (APICS).
2. The Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System will allow travellers to generate QR codes through the MyICA mobile app.
This will allow them to scan codes at immigration counters. Authorities will also conduct facial image checks on the travellers using the QR code data.
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) May 7, 2023
At the checkpoint, they will be able to scan the QR code themselves at a specific lane with a counter. They will not need to present their passports to the immigration officer. ICA officers will then compare the tourists’ facial photos with the code when they scan it at the counters.
The APICS underwent live trials in 2022 with a 94% success rate. According to the ICA, the APICS will be implemented at all land checkpoints during the following five years in three phases.
This new implementation will eventually speed up the clearance process for the large volume of travelers and limited manpower issues Singapore is facing.
Once this initiative is fully implemented, Malaysians working at Singapore will definitely enjoy a quicker immigration clearance experience when traveling back from Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints on their vehicles.
What do you think of this new initiative by Singapore? Let us know in the comments.
Also Read: WATCH: “Helmet Fight” Broke Out Between Two Motorcyclists at The Singapore-Malaysia Border
