Reminder: What you need to know about ICA's QR code initiative at Singapore's land checkpoints

Travellers should still bring along their passports when they travel, as ICA may still require the passport for verification for selected cases and the traveller would also need it for identity verification at Malaysia’s checkpoints.

As of 20 March 2024 (Wednesday), about 86,000 car travellers have used the QR code for immigration clearance when passing through Singapore's land checkpoints. This is about 46% of the total car travellers using the checkpoints during the same period.

This comes after the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) rolled out the QR code clearance initiative which allows car travellers arriving and departing from Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints to use QR codes in lieu of passports for immigration clearance, effective 19 March 2024. 

According to a press release by ICA, a majority of the car travellers had generated their individual/group QR code prior to arriving at the checkpoint and managed to clear immigration smoothly. 

As shared by the Authority, the feedback gathered from users of the QR code have been positive, especially for those travelling in groups as they found the process to be more convenient, faster and fuss-free, and with the upcoming long weekends, heavy traffic is expected at both land checkpoints and car travellers are encouraged to use the QR code to speed up clearance.

Based on the ground observation and feedback received since the initiative kicked off, ICA shared on Friday (22 March 2024) a reminder for car travellers using QR code to take note of the following to ensure a fuss-free journey through customs: 

Travellers should still bring along their passports when they travel, as ICA may still require the passport for verification for selected cases and the traveller would also need it for identity verification at Malaysia’s checkpoints.

The same group QR code can be used for multiple trips if the same number of travellers with the same passport details are travelling together. If passport details change, use the MyICA app to update the QR code easily. You can create multiple group QR codes for different travel groups (e.g., 'Family' or 'Friends'). QR codes must match the travellers in the vehicle; otherwise, they'll be rejected, and passports will be required for clearance.

First-time foreign visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from the previous trip will need to present their physical passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to use QR code clearance on their subsequent trips.

All foreign visitors passing through the land checkpoints using the QR code or passport to clear immigration are still required to submit their Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) within three days (including the day of arrival) before arriving in Singapore, via the MyICA mobile application or ICA’s website.

ICA highlighted that it will continue to leverage technology and develop innovative solutions to address the congestion issue at the land checkpoints and enhance travellers’ clearance experience, while keeping our borders secure.

ICA said it plans to progressively extend the QR code clearance to the other modes of transport going through the land checkpoints.

READ MORE: Swift travels ahead: Car travellers can use QR code in lieu of passports at Singapore Land Checkpoints from 19 March 2024 

Lead image / 123RF