No passports: S’pore introducing QR code clearances at Tuas, Woodlands checkpoints in 2024

Singapore is ready to revolutionise the method of clearing immigration for vacationers crossing its land checkpoints by introducing QR code know-how in early 2024.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) introduced immediately (Might 5) that QR codes will change passports in any respect counters for vehicles at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. This initiative, referred to as the Automated Passenger In-Automotive Clearance System (APICS), is a part of Singapore’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration processes and improve effectivity.

The APICS, developed by the Residence Staff Science and Expertise Company (HTX), underwent profitable dwell trials final 12 months, paving the way in which for its implementation. As soon as absolutely rolled out, the system will allow vacationers to carry out “self-clearance” conveniently from inside their vehicles, with minimal intervention from immigration officers.

How does it work?

The preliminary part of the system, beginning in early 2024, will contain officers stationed at guide counters, whereas vacationers generate a person or group QR code utilizing the MyICA cell app.

The generated QR code will include info from Singpass or passports, permitting passengers to scan it on the counter as a substitute of presenting their passports. Immigration officers will then conduct facial picture checks on the passengers, utilising the info retrieved by way of the QR code.

This streamlined course of will considerably scale back the time taken to clear immigration and facilitate quicker group clearances.

Furthermore, vacationers could have the choice to save lots of their profiles within the MyICA app, eliminating the necessity to re-enter their particulars for future journeys. For subsequent journeys, relations touring collectively, as an example, will solely have to replace their passport particulars if needed.

Singapore plans to introduce devoted APICS lanes at Tuas Checkpoint from 2026, adopted by the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint from 2028.

In these lanes, vacationers will scan the QR code themselves and current their biometrics by way of contactless biometric scanners for id verification. This modern method will remove the necessity for officers to be stationed at each automobile lane, thereby enabling the opening of extra lanes and additional decreasing ready instances.

The APICS trials performed at Woodlands Checkpoint final 12 months demonstrated promising outcomes, with roughly 94 per cent of vacationers efficiently clearing immigration with none help from officers.

Nearly all of individuals discovered the method intuitive and quicker in comparison with guide clearance, highlighting the potential of this know-how to reinforce the general journey expertise.

Extra tech deployment throughout a number of touchpoints

Singapore’s immigration clearance procedures will bear important transformations past the APICS.