More Travellers Can Now Enjoy The Convenience Of Automated Clearance
As the guardians of Singapore’s gateways and the first line of defence for our nation, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is committed to ensure the security of Singapore’s borders, while facilitating expeditious clearance for travellers. In order to meet the twin objectives, the ICA is one of the first immigration authorities in the world to implement a biometric system for secure immigration clearance at the checkpoints. Known as the Immigration Automated Clearance System (IACS), the first version of these automated gates came into operation in 1997 and was based on smartcard technology. Users of the IACS were required to pay $30 for an IACS smartcard (also known as the Access Card) which was used to access the automated gates.
2 Since 2006, the ICA has rolled out the enhanced IACS or eIACS in short. The enhanced system allows Singapore passport holders (who are also NRIC holders) to clear immigration using the eIACS with their passports, without having to apply for the Access Cards separately. The eIACS was subsequently progressively extended to permanent residents (PRs) and other long term pass (LTP) holders who hold ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) compliant[1] passports, from August 2008. For eligible PRs and LTP holders, their latest passport details must be updated with the ICA. The same applies for holders of Employment Pass and Dependant’s Pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
More travellers can use the eIACS
3 With effect from 5 April 2011, ICA will extend the eIACS to the following categories of travellers:
a) Singapore minor citizens between age 6 to 15 years and are holding the Singapore biometric passport;
b) Singapore PRs who have registered for their NRIC;
c) Long term pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with ICA when issued with the new polycarbonate LTP cards; and
d) Employment/Dependant’s pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with MOM during the issuance of the new polycarbonate cards.
4 ICA will extend the privilege of eIACS to them automatically, free of charge, as long as they hold valid ICAO-compliant passports.
5 Also with effect from 5 April 2011, ICA will cease issuing Access Cards to travellers seeking enrolment to use the eIACS at the checkpoints.
6 Existing Access Card holders who have ICAO-compliant passports can enroll for the use of eIACS on or after 5 April 2011. Alternatively, they can continue to use their Access Cards for the IACS until the card expires. Thereafter, they may enroll for the use of eIACS using their ICAO-compliant passports. This service is free of charge.
7 For Singapore minor citizens and foreigners whose non-biometric passports or immigration passes are due for renewal, ICA will automatically enrol them for the use of eIACS when they are issued with their new biometric passport or the LTP card.
Meeting the twin objectives
8 ICA’s latest move to extend the passport-based eIACS to eligible travellers will benefit more people as they no longer need to pay a fee of $30 for the Access Card facility. The use of passports to access the system also offers travellers greater convenience as they do not have to bring along an additional card for immigration clearance at the Singapore checkpoints.
9 More importantly, the automated biometric clearance technology offers a more secure means of identifying a traveller. With the facilitation of travellers whose identity and travel documentation are known to ICA through such technology, ICA can redeploy its limited manpower and attention to focus on the more intensive security checks on higher-risk travellers. This risk management strategy has ensured that ICA is able to discharge its functions or border protection effectively and efficiently.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
31 MARCH 2011
[1] An ICAO-compliant passport refers to a passport issued by the competent authorities in accordance with the specifications of Doc 9303, International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) for the machine readable zone in the machine readable passport.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: I am currently holding a non-biometric Singapore passport. Do I need to enroll to use the enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS)?
A1: If you have registered for an NRIC, you do not need to enroll separately for the use of eIACS as ICA will automatically register your fingerprints for the system. You will only need to bring along your valid passport for immigration clearance at the automated lanes.
Q2: My eight-year-old child is holding a non-biometric Singapore passport. Can I enroll him for eIACS?
A2: Yes. Children between six to 15 years of age and are not issued with the biometric passports (or have yet to register for NRIC) are eligible to enroll for eIACS. However, if your child’s passport is due for renewal soon, you may wish to hold the registration as your child will be registered for the eIACS when he is issued with the new biometric passport.
Q3: Can I register my five-year-old child for eIACS so that we need not queue at the manned counter for immigration clearance?
A3: Children below the age of six will not be able to enroll for eIACS as their fingerprints may still change as they grow.
Q4: Do I have to pay for this new type of enrolment using my passport?
A4: Enrolment for the eIACS is free-of-charge.
Q5: I have been using the Access Card to travel between Singapore and Malaysia. My Access Card is expiring in May 2011. Can I continue to use the automated clearance system without an Access card?
A5: As ICA will no longer issue the Access Cards by this date, you may wish to register for the use of eIACS if you are holding a machine-readable passport that complies with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Q6: I have never used the eIACS before. How do I clear through the automated gates now that I am registered with eIACS?
A6: You will use the same passport that you have registered for eIACS at the automated gates for immigration clearance. Details on how to use the registered passport for clearance at the eIACS gates are available at the ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg. Our officers at the checkpoints will also guide you when you use the eIACS gates upon enrolment.
Q7: If I were to obtain a new passport after expiry of the one I used to register for the eIACS earlier, can I use the new passport at the eIACS?
A7: If you are a Singaporean, you do not need to register separately every time you renew your passport. If you are holding a foreign passport, you will need to update your new passport details at the following centres:
· Permanent Resident Services Centre (PRSC) for permanent residents
· Visitor Services Centre (VSC) for long term pass card holders registered with ICA
The service is free-of-charge.
Q8: I am a foreigner holding dual nationality (i.e. I have two passports issued by two different countries). Can I register both passports to use the eIACS?
A8: Only one passport can be registered for use to clear the eIACS. Hence, you should decide which passport you would like to use for the purpose.
Q9: I am a Singaporean (with pink NRIC or already issued with a biometric passport) / permanent resident (with blue NRIC) / Student’s Pass, long term Visit Pass. Why can’t I seek enrolment?
A9: You need not seek enrolment as the eIACS is automatically extended to you. For non-Singapore passport holders, please ensure that the passport details you have provided at the time of the fingerprint registration remain unchanged. If you have renewed your passport, you will need to update the details at the respective services centres indicated at A7.
Q10: I would like to enroll for eIACS but my current passport does not comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. What can I do?
A10: The system for automated clearance can only accept ICAO-compliant passports for registration. You would have to use the manned counters for immigration clearance.
Q11: How would I know if my passport is ICAO-compliant?
A11: The Singapore biometric and non-biometric passports which are currently in circulation are ICAO-compliant. If you are holding a foreign passport, you may visit the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) website www.icao.int to check on the standards outlined by the ICAO to see if your passport complies with them. Alternatively, you may also check with your passport issuing authority if the passport complies with ICAO standards.
Q12: What do I need to bring for enrolment of the eIACS, besides my ICAO-compliant passport?
A12: You are required to bring the following for enrolment procedures:
(a) One recent colour passport-sized photograph taken within the last three months. It should be 35mm wide by 45 mm high without border and taken without headgear, unless the applicant habitually wears one in accordance with religious or racial customs. The headgear must however, not cover the applicant’s facial features, which must be between 25 to 35 millimetres from chin to crown. The photograph should be taken against a plain white background with a matt or semi-matt finish.
(b) Documents that support your application e.g. passport, student’s pass and long term pass.
ANNEX A
eIACS ENROLMENT CENTRES & OPERATING HOURS
a) ICA Building (next to Lavender MRT station)
eIACS Enrolment Centre
10 Kallang Road, level 4
Singapore 208718
Operating hours: Weekdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday from 8.00am to 1.00pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
(Enrolment at the eIACS Enrolment Centre in ICA Building is strictly by eAppointment only. Interested applicants can visit the ICA website at www.ica.gov.sg to book an appointment slot).
b) Changi Airport
eIACS Enrolment Centre
Terminal 3 Arrival Immigration Hall
Level 1 (For passengers within the transit area only)
Operating hours: Weekdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
c) Woodlands Checkpoint
eIACS Enrolment Centre
Departure Bus Hall, level 5
Operating hours: Weekdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday from 8.00am to 1.00pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
d) Tuas Checkpoint
eIACS Enrolment Centre
Departure Bus Hall, level 1
Operating hours: Weekdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday from 8.00am to 1.00pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays