Singapore Now Uses Passport-Free Immigration at Changi Airport

(SPOT.ph) How long does it take you to pass immigration? For Singaporeans and foreigners traveling through Changi International Airport, it can go as fast as 10 seconds, thanks to passport-free immigration. 

Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) just announced that passport-less clearance is now fully implemented across all terminals of Changi International Airport. Here's what that means for Filipino travelers planning their trips to the Lion City.

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Here's how Singapore's passport-free immigration works for foreigners:

Hold up, this doesn't mean you can just forget about your passports. According to ICA, all foreign visitors still need to present their passports upon arrival either at the fully automated gates or through manual immigration. However, foreigners can enjoy the convenience of passport-less clearance when they depart from Changi Airport.

Passport-less clearance gates are now installed across all four terminals in Changi Airport. These gates use facial and iris biometrics to clear tourists and residents for travel.

How to undergo passport-free clearance at Changi Airport

To utilize passport-free clearance, travelers are reminded to submit their SG arrival card within three days before their arrival in Singapore. For foreigners, the SG arrival card will also contain information about your departure from Singapore.

Once you arrive at airport immigration, simply line up at an automated gate and scan your facial and iris biometrics. Enter the designated lane when you are prompted. Here, you will undergo identity verification via facial analysis. If successful, you can exit the lane and continue your journey to your next destination.

At this time, ICA clarifies that only Singapore residents including Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders can use passport-less clearance for both entering and exiting Singapore. Foreigners can only use passport-less clearance when leaving.

ICA emphasizes that all travelers should still bring their passports as these may be required for immigration clearance at their destination countries. Additionally, ICA may also require travelers to produce their passports for further verification, especially if the automated processing encounters any problems.

Despite this current limitation, data shows that as of October 15, 2024, the average clearance time per traveler has dropped from 25 seconds to 10 seconds—a reduction of 60% in processing time. This is based on data collected from over 1.5 million travelers who have cleared Singaporean immigration without having to present a passport.

For more information, visit Changi Airport's website.

Also read: A Guide to Jewel at Changi Airport's Footwear Shops

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