Continuous Heavy Traffic Expected at Land Checkpoints with the Upcoming March School Holiday
With the upcoming March school holiday, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the entire holiday period from Friday 8 March to Monday 18 March 2024.
2. During the recent Lunar New Year long weekend from 8 to 13 February 2024, there was continuous heavy traffic at the land checkpoints, with more than 2.33 million crossings. This amounted to an average of almost 390,000 travellers daily, a 35% increase over the 2023 daily average of about 289,000 during the same period. Some of those who departed by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration, as there was a long tailback from Malaysian immigration.
3. As such, travellers are advised to factor in additional waiting time. We seek their understanding and cooperation to be patient, observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and cooperate with ICA officers.
Things to note for a smoother journey
For all travellers
- Ensure that your passport has a remaining validity of at least six months.
- Singapore Permanent Residents who have renewed their passport should ensure that their Re-Entry Permit has been transferred to the new passport.
- Long-Term Pass holders should notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any change in their passport particulars before re-entering Singapore.
- Do not bring in prohibited or controlled items. Travellers can visit the ICA website for the list of prohibited, controlled and dutiable items[1]. Those who bring in such items would need to proactively declare them to our officers before being checked.
For all motorists
- Check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on your journey.[2]
- Refrain from queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists. Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue.
For drivers of foreign vehicles
- Ensure that your vehicle’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is valid. Please note that we no longer accept applications for VEP at the checkpoints, as doing so impedes traffic flow. Drivers of foreign vehicles who do not have a valid Autopass card, the VEP approval email from LTA or valid insurance will be turned back. Travellers can visit the LTA One Motoring website for more details on applying for VEP.
- Settle any outstanding fines you may have with the respective government agencies. Those with outstanding fines may be denied entry into Singapore. The available modes of payment for fines are listed below.
o AXS kiosks, AXS website, AXS mobile app
o E-services on respective agencies’ websites
o Respective agencies’ customer service counters
o SingPost Post Offices
o PayNow
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
04 MARCH 2024
[1] Prohibited items include weapons and imitation tobacco products (such as electronic cigarettes and vaporisers). Controlled items include ‘bak kwa’ and potted plants, while dutiable items include tobacco products.
[2] Traffic updates at the land checkpoints can be found on the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s One Motoring Website; Expressway Motoring & Advisory System installed along the BKE and AYE; ICA’s Facebook and X (former Twitter) accounts and local radio broadcasts (One 91.3, Kiss92, Hao 96.3, UFM 100.3).