Explainer: Passport-less immigration clearance to be rolled out at Changi Airport from Aug 5. Here's what you need to know
SINGAPORE — From next Monday (Aug 5), Singapore residents arriving at Changi Airport Terminal 3 will be able to clear immigration checkpoints without passports, using only facial and iris biometrics, at selected automated lanes.

A media demonstration of the passport-free immigration clearance at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on July 31, 2024.
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- Singapore residents arriving at Changi Airport Terminal 3 will be able to clear immigration without passports at some lanes
- This will be part of live trials at selected automated lanes from Aug 5 and clearance will be done through facial and iris biometrics
- The system will be rolled out to all Changi Airport terminals by September and to Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December
- A QR code clearance initiative will be extended to motorcyclists and pillion riders on Aug 15
- Cargo vehicle drivers and their assistants will be able to do so by the end of August
SINGAPORE — From next Monday (Aug 5), Singapore residents arriving at Changi Airport Terminal 3 will be able to clear immigration checkpoints without passports, using only facial and iris biometrics, at selected automated lanes.
The live trial by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is part of a progressive rollout of this new system on a large scale at Singapore's land, sea and air crossings.
By September, this system will be implemented at all Changi Airport terminals, ICA said in a news release on Wednesday (July 31).
In December, the system will be available at Marina Bay Cruise Centre as well.
This will save travellers 40 per cent of the time needed to clear immigration.
It is part of ICA's plan to "strengthen border security and at the same time enhance the traveller experience by digitalising border clearance", the authority said.
The agency also said that the QR code clearance at land checkpoints will be extended to motorcyclists and their pillion riders by August.
TODAY looks at what travellers can expect when passport-less immigration goes live on Aug 5, how the new system works and who will be eligible for this new service.
PASSPORT-LESS IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE
Under ICA's "new clearance concept", Singapore residents will be able to clear immigration without needing to present their passport at both arrival and departure air and sea checkpoints.
Singapore residents refer to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders.
Foreign travellers will be able to use this service only during departure from the country.
All travellers will be able to use automated clearance lanes, except for children under six years old, because the physical features and biometrics of this age group are still developing and may not be reliable in authenticating their identities.
"Tokenless clearance is possible at the air and sea checkpoints as ICA would know beforehand, the travellers who are coming through the checkpoints, from the advance manifests submitted by airline and ship operators," ICA said.

An initiative allowing travellers to use a QR code for clearance at land borders will be extended to motorcyclists and pillion riders on Aug 15, while cargo vehicle drivers and their assistants will be able to do so by the end of August.
The system was rolled out by ICA this year on March 19, allowing car travellers to generate a QR code for immigration clearance on the MyICA mobile application instead of needing to present a passport.
Those in the same car can generate a group QR, which can include up to 10 travellers' passport details.
The initiative was extended to bus drivers on April 15.
ICA said that more than 70 per cent of car travellers and bus drivers use the OR code for immigration clearance for now.
QR code clearance for bus passengers and those travelling on foot will be introduced at land checkpoints in December this year.
The authority clarified that motorcyclists and pillion riders can either generate a QR code individually or a group QR code for both riders during clearance. Up to groups of four are allowed to generate a group QR code at land checkpoints to use the special assistance lanes to clear immigration at bus halls.
ICA said that as traveller information is not available beforehand for people travelling via land checkpoints, the QR code was introduced "as a token of identification in lieu of the passport", for faster and more convenient border clearance for both individuals and groups of travellers.
"The initiative will save travellers at the land checkpoints about 30 per cent in time taken to clear immigration."
Despite the large-scale introduction of passport-free immigration clearance, the agency reiterated that travellers will still need their passports for immigration clearance overseas.
"ICA may also occasionally require travellers to produce their passport for verification," it added.
The authority said at a media briefing on Wednesday that the initiative will be introduced at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Seletar Airport next year, while smaller landing points by sea such as West Coast Pier will welcome the new service in 2026.
"ICA officers will continue to be around to help travellers who require assistance with automated and passport-less immigration clearance," the authority said.
Assistant commissioner Phua Chiew Hua, deputy director of ICA's operations division said: "ICA is always working to improve the immigration clearance experience and efficiency at our checkpoints."