Singapore Turns Away Over 2,500 Visitors Monthly at Its Checkpoints

Key Takeaways

  • Since automated lanes were introduced at Changi Airport, around 2,500 visitors have been denied entry each month.
  • Singapore aims to be the first country to provide automated lanes for all foreign travelers without needing prior registration, with about 800 lanes to be set up by 2026.
  • Singapore's new automated lanes and biometric system help catch fake identities and improve security by scanning visitors’ faces, eyes, and fingerprints.

Around 2,500 visitors are denied entry at Singapore’s checkpoints monthly for various reasons.

Since the introduction of automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport in May, there has been an increase in the number of travelers who were refused entry.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that automated clearance allows for earlier checks and more extensive use of technology, VisaGuide.World reports.

According to local media, members of Parliament raised concerns following the incident involving Bangladeshi extremist preacher Amir Hamza, who entered the country illegally.

Singapore Plans Automated Lanes Following Extremist Preacher’s Visit

Amir Hamza entered Singapore on August 9 and preached extremist views to Bangladeshi migrant workers at the Lantana Lodge dormitory in Tuas. He left the country the following day, and authorities received police reports about the incident on August 12. Due to this situation, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam stated that no arrests have been made yet as the investigation continues.

Moreover, Singapore is attempting to become the first country to allow all foreign travelers, including first-time visitors, to use automated lanes without prior registration. By 2026, authorities plan to install about 800 such lanes at all of Singapore’s checkpoints.

While Doha’s Hamad International Airport was named the world’s best airport in the annual Skytrax awards this year, Singapore’s Changi Airport retained its title for best immigration services.

Singapore Introduces Revised Visa & Screening Procedures

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uses a “multi-layered risk-based approach” to entry decisions. Travelers from certain countries must apply for an entry visa, and applications from individuals on Singapore’s watchlist or considered suspicious are rejected.

In this regard, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (PAP-Chua Chu Kang) asked if the visa application process would be revised, noting that Bangladeshi applicants must obtain letters of introduction from contacts in Singapore and go through authorized visa agents in their place.

In response, Mr. Shanmugam explained that Amir Hamza had a visa and a local sponsor for his visit, but no agent was involved. He also highlighted that the Multi-Modal Biometric System was integrated into Singapore’s border screening process in July 2020.

First-time visitors will have their facial, iris and fingerprint images captured at immigration clearance, and that allows us to better detect repeat visitors who may try and come in using multiple identities or impersonated identities.

Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam

The Minister further revealed that with approximately 600,000 travelers passing through Singapore’s checkpoints daily, a framework that efficiently identifies individuals of concern is needed while ensuring the majority can pass through quickly.

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