From 31 March 2026, facial images will progressively replace fingerprints as the primary biometric identifier for motorcyclists and pillion riders clearing immigration at the land checkpoints. This is part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s New Clearance Concept (NCC) for a contactless, secure and faster immigration clearance experience.

2.          Since January 2026, ICA has been conducting trials for the use of facial recognition for immigration clearance at selected motorcycle lanes in the Arrival Zone of Woodlands Checkpoint. More than 150,000 motorcyclists and pillion riders participated in the trials and their feedback has enabled ICA to finetune and improve the clearance experience.  Based on the feedback and ground observations, ICA has enhanced the system’s ability to detect when facial features are obstructed (e.g.  by face masks or sunglasses), and introduced on-screen prompts to guide motorcyclists and pillion riders to remove these obstructions to enable facial scanning.

3.          From 31 March 2026, ICA will roll out facial images as the primary biometric identifier for immigration clearance at 18 automated motorcycle lanes at the Arrival Zone of Woodlands Checkpoint, and progressively extend this to all 70 automated arrival and departure motorcycle lanes at the Checkpoint. This initiative will be rolled out to Tuas Checkpoint in the third quarter of 2026.

4.          The initiative is available to Singapore residents, long-term pass holders, and foreign visitors who have previously entered Singapore. First-time foreign visitors and those re-entering Singapore with a different passport from their previous trip will need to undergo manual immigration clearance. They will be able to clear immigration via the automated motorcycle lanes using QR code and facial recognition for subsequent trips. Detailed instructions on this initiative can be found in the Annex.

Use QR Code for Faster Immigration Clearance

5.          As part of the immigration clearance process, motorcyclists and pillion riders will first present their QR code or passport before proceeding to biometrics verification. As of 15 March 2026, 62% of motorcyclists and pillion riders use QR code clearance at Singapore's land checkpoints. ICA would like to encourage more motorcyclists and pillion riders to use QR codes generated via the MyICA mobile application for convenient passport-less immigration clearance. As more travellers adopt QR code clearance, overall traffic movement through the checkpoints will speed up, thereby reducing waiting time.

6.           Travellers must continue to carry their passport as ICA may still require them to produce their passport for verification. They must also update their QR code if they have changed their passport. Otherwise, the QR code will be rejected during immigration clearance.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
26 MARCH 2026

Annex - Instructions for Motorcyclists and Pillion Riders Using Facial Recognition to Clear Immigration at the Automated Motorcycle Lanes

i.          Present and scan your passport or QR code generated via the MyICA mobile app.

ii.         The entry barrier will be raised upon verification. Motorcyclists and pillion riders to enter the lane.

iii.        Lift up helmet visor (Note: Motorcyclists and pillion riders wearing full face helmets will need to remove their helmet to ensure that their facial features are fully visible).

iv.         Remove sunglasses and face masks (if any).   

v.          Look into the camera to capture facial image for identity verification.

vi.         The exit barrier will be raised upon successful biometrics verification and immigration clearance. Motorcyclists and pillion riders can exit the lane (i.e. cleared immigration).