QR codes to be used for immigration clearance from 19 March
12 Mar 2024|10,715 views
As traffic across the Singapore-Malaysian land border continues to grow, a new QR code-based system is aiming to make immigration clearance faster and more convenient for travellers.
Come 19 March 2024, those departing and arriving in Singapore by car via the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints will be able to keep their passports stowed away, and clear immigration checks using QR codes instead. The privilege will only be extended to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass-holders.
Prior to reaching the checkpoint, the QR codes can be generated for either individual or group-travellers via the MyICA mobile app, which is available on both the iOS App Store and Google Play.
Upon pulling up at the car counter, travellers can then self-scan the QR codes in lieu of presenting their passports for immigration clearance.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has made it clear that the new system will apply only for those travelling "by car" - meaning that those who cross into Malaysia either by train or by bus will still have to present their passports. Meanwhile, motorcyclists already have their own version of an automated system - the Biometric Identification of Motorbikers (BIKES) System - which uses biometric technology for immigration clearance.
First-time foreign visitors entering Singapore, and travellers re-entering the country using a different passport from their last visit, will also be unable to use the QR code-system for immigration clearance. Meanwhile, passports that have not been used for entry into Singapore before will have to be presented first for immigration clearance, prior to travellers using the QR codes on subsequent trips.
These latest efforts to make immigration clearance faster and more convenience come amidst an increasing volume of travellers using the land borders after the pandemic.
According to the ICA, more than 440,000 travellers were cleared across the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints daily during the year-end holidays last year. The figure marks a significant step up from the 400,000 travellers cleared on average daily, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As traffic across the Singapore-Malaysian land border continues to grow, a new QR code-based system is aiming to make immigration clearance faster and more convenient for travellers.
Come 19 March 2024, those departing and arriving in Singapore by car via the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints will be able to keep their passports stowed away, and clear immigration checks using QR codes instead. The privilege will only be extended to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass-holders.
Prior to reaching the checkpoint, the QR codes can be generated for either individual or group-travellers via the MyICA mobile app, which is available on both the iOS App Store and Google Play.
Upon pulling up at the car counter, travellers can then self-scan the QR codes in lieu of presenting their passports for immigration clearance.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has made it clear that the new system will apply only for those travelling "by car" - meaning that those who cross into Malaysia either by train or by bus will still have to present their passports. Meanwhile, motorcyclists already have their own version of an automated system - the Biometric Identification of Motorbikers (BIKES) System - which uses biometric technology for immigration clearance.
First-time foreign visitors entering Singapore, and travellers re-entering the country using a different passport from their last visit, will also be unable to use the QR code-system for immigration clearance. Meanwhile, passports that have not been used for entry into Singapore before will have to be presented first for immigration clearance, prior to travellers using the QR codes on subsequent trips.
These latest efforts to make immigration clearance faster and more convenience come amidst an increasing volume of travellers using the land borders after the pandemic.
According to the ICA, more than 440,000 travellers were cleared across the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints daily during the year-end holidays last year. The figure marks a significant step up from the 400,000 travellers cleared on average daily, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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