From 15 August 2024, motorcyclists and their pillion riders arriving in and departing Singapore via Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints can use QR codes in lieu of passports for faster and more convenient immigration clearance. This is part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s initiative to provide travellers with a passport-less immigration clearance experience under the New Clearance Concept.

2.          QR code clearance at the land checkpoints allows travellers to bundle multiple travellers’ details into a single QR code. The motorcyclist and pillion rider can simply present one group QR code for immigration clearance instead of scanning two passports, reducing the time taken for immigration clearance. Details on how to generate and use the QR code can be found in the Annex.

3.         ICA has also enhanced its Biometric Identification of Motorbikers (BIKES) System to improve clearance efficiency for motorcyclists at the land checkpoints. Light strips have been installed to provide motorcyclists with a visual cue indicating successful fingerprint capture (e.g. green if biometric verification is successful, red if they need to present their fingerprint again or wait for ICA officers to assist them). The BIKES system enhancements coupled with the QR code clearance will reduce the immigration clearance time for motorcyclists and pillion riders by about 30%.

4.         The convenience of scanning a QR code instead of having to take out their passports also reduces the chances of passports getting wet on rainy days. 

Things to note when using QR code clearance

5.          All travellers using the QR code for immigration clearance at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints should take note of the following:

• QR codes that do not tally with the details of the motorcyclist or pillion rider or contain details of more than two passports in a group QR code, will be rejected. Motorcyclists and their pillion riders will then have to present their passports for clearance.

• Travellers must continue to carry their passport as ICA may still require them to produce their passport for verification. Travellers will also need their passport for immigration clearance overseas.

• Travellers must update their QR codes if they have changed their passport. Otherwise, the QR codes will be rejected when presented at the checkpoint. 

• First-time foreign visitors and foreigners re-entering Singapore using a different passport from the previous trip will need to present their passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to clear immigration using QR code for subsequent trips.
  

6.          To enable more travellers to experience the convenience of passport-less clearance at the land checkpoints, the QR code clearance initiative will be extended to cargo vehicle drivers and accompanying assistants on 30 August 2024, and to bus passengers by December 2024. 

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
13 AUGUST 2024

Annex – Steps to generate and use the QR code for immigration clearance

Generating QR code via MyICA Mobile application

i.           Download the MyICA mobile application for free from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

ii.          Populate passport details within the QR code module in the MyICA mobile application. There are three ways to populate passport details:

• Retrieve information via Singpass (For Singapore residents ^[1]only)

• Scan passport using the built-in camera (Available for all travellers)

• Fill in the passport details manually (Available for all travellers)

iii.          Generate QR codes for immigration clearance after populating the passport details in the MyICA mobile application. The QR codes can be stored in the MyICA mobile application and used for multiple trips up to the validity indicated within the application.^[2]

• Single rider can generate a unique individual QR code.

• Motorcyclists with pillion rider can either
  
  
  • Generate a group QR code containing up to two passport details; or
  • Generate a unique individual QR code each.

Using the QR code for immigration clearance

At the Automated Lanes

i.          Motorcyclists scan an individual or group QR code at the QR code scanner.

ii.          ICA’s system retrieves and processes the passport details stored within the QR code for verification.

iii.          The first barrier raises upon verification and motorcyclists enter the lane.

iv.          Motorcyclists present their fingerprint(s) for biometrics verification.

v.          The second barrier raises upon biometrics verification and motorcyclists exit the lane (i.e. cleared immigration).

At the Manual Lanes

i.          Motorcyclists scan their individual or group QR code at the QR code scanner installed at the counters.

ii.          ICA’s system retrieves and processes the passport details stored within the QR code.

iii.          ICA officers conduct face-to-face checks of the motorcyclists.

iv.         The barrier raises upon verification and motorcyclists exit the lane (i.e. cleared immigration).