SINGAPORE — From next Tuesday (19 March), travellers arriving and departing Singapore by car via Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints can use QR codes in lieu of passports for faster immigration clearance.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a media release that, to use the QR code for immigration clearance, travellers will need to download the MyICA mobile app and key in their passport details in the app to generate a unique QR code.
They can scan their QR code by the scanners at the arrival and departure car counters at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. Once the QR code is scanned, ICA officers will conduct face-to-face checks of the travellers using the data retrieved backend through the QR code.
The QR code initiative allows travellers to save up to around 20 seconds for cars with four travellers, and about one minute for cars with 10 travellers. Overall waiting time can be reduced by more than 30 per cent if most car travellers use QR code for clearance. This initiative also offers travellers contactless and more hygienic immigration clearance.
Group QR code for those travelling in same car
First-time visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from their last visit will need to present their physical passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to use QR code for immigration clearance on their subsequent trips.
Travellers in the same car can populate their passport details and generate one group QR code for immigration clearance. For example, a family of four can have their passport details stored in the MyICA app on one family member’s phone, and generate a family group QR code for immigration clearance.
Travellers can also create multiple QR codes for travels with different groups of people. Up to 10 travellers’ passport details can be included in one group QR code and each group QR code can be stored and named in the app. The QR codes generated are encrypted, and can only be retrieved and decrypted by ICA.
Those travelling in a group must use a group QR code containing the passport details of those travelling in the same vehicle. QR codes that do not tally with the details and number of travellers in the vehicle will be rejected.
Physical passports can still be used
Even after this QR code initiative is rolled out, travellers can still opt to present physical passports to the ICA officers at the counters, as per current practice.
ICA plans to progressively extend QR code clearance to the other clearance zones at the land checkpoints. This will allow travellers in other means of conveyance to also enjoy faster and more convenient immigration clearance.
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