Skip the Passport Hassle: New QR Code System for Woodlands & Tuas Checkpoints
Starting March 19, you can zip through immigration using QR codes without a physical passport. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that these handy codes can speed up the process for both individuals and groups of up to 10 people in one vehicle.
This implementation comes under ICA’s New Clearance Concept (NCC), which was announced in 2019 that Singaporeans and visitors will be able to clear checkpoints without the need for physical passports.
Instead of handing their passports to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer at the car counter, travellers are encouraged to download the MyICA mobile application and fill in their passport details in order to generate a QR code to be scanned.
Travellers with QR codes can expect to clear immigration in seconds, compared to minutes with passports.
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With the MyICA mobile app, individuals sharing a vehicle can conveniently input their passport information to create a single QR code for the entire group’s (up to 10pax) immigration clearance. For instance, a family of four can simply store all their details on one member’s phone and produce a collective QR code for a swift immigration process.
Here’s how to generate your group QR code:
- Open the MyICA mobile application on your smartphone.
- Enter the passport details of each traveller in the vehicle.
- Select the option to generate a ‘Family Group QR Code’ (or ‘Group QR Code’ for non-family members).
- Present the generated QR code at immigration for all travellers in your car.
How the passport-free clearance works with the QR code
- After you scan the QR code, an officer will check your face to match it with the information linked to the code.
- If you’re traveling with others, you must all be included in a single group QR code.
- Make sure the QR code has the correct information for everyone in the car.
- QR codes that do not tally with the details and number of travellers in the vehicle will be rejected.
However, it is also important to note that for first-time visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from their last visit to Singapore 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.
Don’t want to use the QR code? You can still use your passport at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints.
Important Note: While Singapore immigration accepts QR codes, Malaysia customs still require your physical passport for entry.
