No More Passports? Changi Airport's New Biometric System Simplifies Travel

Singapore has launched a new passport-less immigration clearance system at Changi Airport, effective from September 30. This initiative allows Singapore residents—including citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders—to pass through immigration using only their facial and iris biometrics.

Children under the age of six are not eligible to use the automated lanes for immigration clearance. However, foreign visitors can utilize this biometric method when departing Singapore, as their biometric data would have already been collected upon arrival.

Despite this new system, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) emphasized that all foreign visitors must still present their passports upon arrival in Singapore. Travellers are reminded to carry their passports, as they may be needed for immigration clearance at their final destinations.

Alan Koo, Senior Assistant Commissioner and Commander (Airport) of ICA, stated that this initiative has significantly decreased the average clearance time for each traveller by 60%, reducing it from 25 seconds to just 10 seconds. Koo also mentioned that the automation of the clearance process allows officers to be reassigned to more critical roles, such as interviewing and profiling, to enhance Singapore's border security.

The passport-less system is set to be introduced at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in December.

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