After stepping off a long flight, there's nothing worse than a long and slow queue at immigration holding you back from the comforts of your hotel. Now, more travellers to Singapore can escape that fate – thanks to an expanded Automated Clearance Initiative (ACI) by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
The ICA announced that more eligible foreign visitors, even first-timers to our island city, can use the automated lanes for immigration clearance at Changi Airport without prior enrolment.
What's more, it has expanded the ACI to 51 jurisdictions, up from 16 when the initiative was first introduced in May 2022. If you're a passport holder from ASEAN, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Switzerland, among others, then congratulations – you qualify. Holders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (ABTC) Business Travel Card are similarly able to use the automated gates.
So far, more than 4 million foreign visitors have cleared immigration through the automated lanes and are enrolled in the process. Enrollment is also automatic – biometrics like eyes, face and fingerprints are recorded during the arrival clearance (if this has not already happened in a previous trip to Singapore) and is then included in an electronic visit pass (e-Pass) which is mailed to the visitor after clearance. Once enrolled, foreign visitors will be able to use the automated lanes during departure and on subsequent visits to Singapore.
This raises the question: do we even have enough automated lanes to handle the larger flow of users? Thankfully, more lanes have been deployed at Changi Airport and land checkpoints since May 2022. ICA is also looking to add 61 more automated lanes at checkpoints this year.
The main takeaway for eligible travellers: it's faster and easier than ever to enter Singapore. If this makes visiting our tropical city more appealing, here’s more to whet your appetite – get to know us through engaging guided tours and more amazing things to do.
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