VI
EN
Most recently, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced it will stop stamping departure dates on travelers' passports. This is seen as a move to streamline procedures and speed up customs clearance at border crossings.
Previously, when leaving Singapore, all travelers had to have their passports stamped by customs officers on the day of departure at designated checkpoints. However, from April 22nd onwards, the ICA will officially end this customs inspection method and replace it with fingerprint scanning via the BioScreen system for entry and exit. Accordingly, foreign visitors will no longer need to interact with customs officers and can use the automated exit lanes.
Similar to foreign passengers, eligible Singaporean citizens can use one of the automated lanes at border control without having to present a passport or provide fingerprints. Their identity is verified using iris and facial images.
Prior to this decision, ICA announced that it was testing an automated customs clearance method for six months at the Tuas border crossing (with Malaysia).
Since September 2016, foreign visitors whose fingerprints were registered through the BioScreen system upon arrival in Singapore have been able to use automated departure lanes. Subsequently, from October 2018, the ICA began testing a new electronic entry 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 a smartphone app.
The ICA said it would notify foreign authorities of the move to cease issuing exit permits for foreigners.
Further details can be found atwww.ica.gov.sg
