With the upcoming Deepavali long weekend and the year-end school holidays having already started for some students, very heavy traffic is expected at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the period from Thursday 9 November to Tuesday 14 November 2023.

2.          During the recent Children’s Day weekend from 6 to 8 October 2023, more than 1.27 million travellers used the land checkpoints. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) saw the highest number of travellers cleared through the land checkpoints since the borders reopened in 2022, with more than 460,000 crossings on 6 October 2023, out of which more than half (about 260,000) were departing travellers. Those who departed by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration during the peak.

3.          In addition, given the developing situation in the Middle East, ICA has stepped up security measures at the checkpoints.

4.          Travellers are thus advised to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance. We seek travellers’ understanding and cooperation to be patient, observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and cooperate with officers on-site when using the land checkpoints.

Things to note for a smoother journey

5.          Before embarking on their journey, motorists are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints through the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System installed along the BKE and AYE. Motorists can also get updates through ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as local radio broadcasts on Money 89.3, One 91.3, Kiss92, Hao 96.3, UFM 100.3.

6.          Motorists using the land checkpoints should refrain from queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists. ICA works closely with the Traffic Police to ensure road discipline at the critical junctions and roads leading to the land checkpoints. Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue. In a recent incident on 15 October 2023, ICA turned away four cars from Tuas Checkpoint due to them cutting the queue when entering Singapore.

7.          Travellers should ensure their passport has a remaining validity of at least six months. Singapore permanent residents who have renewed their passport will have to transfer their Re-Entry Permit to the new passport. Long-Term Pass holders will need to notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of any change in their passport particulars before their entry into Singapore.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
6 NOVEMBER 2023