The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is conducting a six-month trial for a new contactless immigration clearance system at Tuas Checkpoint. The trial has commenced on 8 April 2019 using one of the automated arrival lanes in the bus hall at Tuas Checkpoint.

Objective of contactless immigration clearance

2          This new immigration clearance system provides a hassle-free clearance experience for travellers, using their iris and facial images for clearance. With this new system, the traveller will not be required to present his or her thumbprint nor passport for immigration clearance at the automated lane. The identity of the traveller is verified through iris and facial images in lieu of the thumbprint and passport.  Back-end, the system will verify if the identified traveller holds a valid passport.  

3          Singaporean travellers will be the first to benefit from this initiative.

4          The contactless immigration system will enhance operational efficiency, yet maintain our high standards of traveller identity verification and security, and is a significant step towards ICA’s vision of an efficient and hassle-free immigration clearance experience using biometric solutions.  More details will be shared at ICA’s Workplan Seminar in May.

Who is eligible for the trial?

5          Singapore citizens aged six and above who are holding passports, with numbers beginning with the letter K and issued after 1 January 2018 will be eligible for the trial. Eligible citizens are encouraged to participate in this trial, which will help ICA to improve the system. No prior sign-up is required; they simply have to proceed to clear immigration at the automated lane designated for the trial upon return home at Tuas Checkpoint.

How does the new immigration clearance process work?

6          The diagram below depicts the new immigration clearance process: 

Additional details to note for the trial

7          Participants of the trial are reminded not to wear sunglasses, cap or other head gear that will obstruct their full facial image when using the contactless immigration clearance lane. ICA officers will be onsite to assist travellers participating in the trial.

8          ICA will study the results of the trial and assess the feasibility to extend this initiative to more automated clearance lanes and other checkpoints.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
15 APRIL 2019