Singapore has introduced biometric immigration clearance at its Changi Airport from 2024. From the first half of 2024, passengers departing from the city-state will go through an automated immigration process at the airport using biometric data, without the need for passports. The move comes after the Singapore government passed a series of amendments to its Immigration Act in Parliament on 18 September.
Biometrics will be used to create a ‘single token of authentication’ to be used at various automated touchpoints, from bag drop to immigration and boarding. This will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at these touchpoints, allowing for a more seamless and convenient process, according to a Singapore government press release.
One of the key provisions of the amendments to the Immigration Act is that the Minister for Home Affairs may authorise the disclosure of passenger and crew information to the airport operator. This will be for specific use cases such as bag drop and passenger tracking within Changi Airport.
This will allow for end-to-end biometric clearance, meaning that passengers will not have to present their passport, ticket and boarding pass multiple times during the boarding process at Changi Airport.
“This will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at these touchpoints, allowing for a more seamless and convenient process,” said Minister for Communications Josephine Teo.
“Our immigration systems must be able to efficiently manage this high and growing volume of travellers and provide a positive clearance experience, while ensuring our security.”
