In case you didn’t know, we won’t even need to have our passports on hand to clear customs in the very near future.
Reader: Huh?
If you read this article you would already know.
If you’re too lazy to read through that, though, here’s a quick summary about going passport-free this year.
As of now, Singaporeans, PRs, and nationals from 60 jurisdictions can use existing automated lanes. Existing automated lanes still require one to scan his or her passport, but you can speed up the process by using biometrics i.e. your iris, facial, and fingerprint images.
Currently, there are automated lanes at selected passenger halls in Changi Airport for family groups and wheelchair users. This helps families with young children, and the disabled, to use automated lanes.
From the second half of 2024, all foreign visitors (yes, from all countries and regardless of nationality) will be able to clear immigration at air, land, and sea checkpoints in Singapore through new automated lanes. Of course, Singaporeans and PRs will also be able to do so.
The new automated lanes will not require you to scan your passport. All they need is your biometrics and you’re good to go. Basically, they’re even faster than existing automated lanes.
You know that one friend who always forgets important things? You won’t need to worry about him forgetting his passport the next time you travel because you won’t even need it anymore.
Oh wait- other countries still require visitors to present their passports. I guess you’ll just have to wait for other countries to implement this passport-less system too.
At least you won’t have to wait for people in front of you to fumble through their bag to find their passport.
This will be made possible by progressively replacing existing automated lanes and manual counters at all checkpoints with the ICA’s next generation Automated Border Control System (ABCS).
With the introduction of about 800 ABCS lanes in the second half of this year, Singapore residents and foreign visitors will not need to present their passports to clear immigration.
Some of these ABCS lanes will still be reserved for Singaporeans and PRs, so be assured that you can clear immigration as quickly as possible to go enjoy the lounge before your flight or sprint to the nearest coffee shop to get your first bak chor mee and teh peng in weeks.
Shiok.
The proportion of such dedicated lanes will be “flexibly adjusted to meet prevailing operational needs, taking into account the traveller profile,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim in parliament on 26 February.
Basically, this means that if a lot of Singaporeans are expected to return to Singapore at a particular time, more lanes will be reserved for them. If the proportion of returning Singaporeans is lower compared to visiting foreigners, then fewer lanes will be reserved.
Foreign visitors will not need to enrol for ABCS lanes beforehand, and their biometrics will be automatically registered when they visit Singapore. When they depart, and on subsequent visits, they will no longer need to present their passports to clear immigration.
Passport-less, contactless automated lanes are also set to be rolled out at Causeway checkpoints too. Those who want to cross over to Johor Bahru by car will only need a QR code to drive in.
Swee lah, maybe can even clear customs in under 30 minutes.
Currently, the time period that Causeway passport-less lanes will be rolled out is unknown, but we can expect it to be really soon.
