Most recently, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that it will stop stamping departure date information on travelers' passports. This is considered a move to help shorten the process and speed up customs clearance.
Previously, when leaving Singapore, all visitors had to have their passports stamped by customs officers on the day of departure at the checkpoints. However, from April 22, ICA will officially end this method of customs checks and replace it with the use of fingerprints via the BioScreen system when entering and exiting the country. Accordingly, foreign visitors will not need to come into contact with customs officers and will be able to use the automated exit lane.
Like foreign passengers, eligible Singaporeans will use one of the automated lanes at the checkpoint without having to present their passports or have their fingerprints taken. Their identities will be verified using iris scans and facial images.
Before making this decision, ICA announced that they were testing an automated customs clearance method for 6 months at the Tuas checkpoint (border with Malaysia).
Since September 2016, foreign visitors whose fingerprints have been registered via the BioScreen system upon arrival in Singapore have been able to use the automated exit lanes when they leave Singapore. Subsequently, from October 2018, ICA has been trialling a new electronic immigration card to replace the paper card for foreigners. This allows visitors to register their information on the electronic card in advance via the ICA website or using the smartphone app.
ICA said it will notify foreign authorities of the move to end exit certification for foreigners.
Details can be found atwww.ica.gov.sg
