Travelers to Singapore can now use automated lanes in Changi Airport
Traveling to Singapore just got a whole lot easier as Changi Airport now has automated lanes that all foreign visitors can use.
In a news release, the country's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stated that foreign travelers can now use the automated lanes during the arrival immigration clearance process. This is regardless of nationality and the passport they hold.
Foreign visitors who have used the automated gates upon arrival can also use the automated lanes at departure immigration when they depart from Changi Airport.
Previously, the automated lanes during departure and arrival immigration clearance were only reserved for Singapore residents and passport holders in 60 jurisdictions.
There is also no need for any registration before arriving in Singapore, further streamlining the arrival process.
"This creates a smoother and stress-free experience for passengers," the news release read.
Keep in mind, however, that all Singapore residents and foreign visitors will still need to submit the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration online or via the MyICA Mobile application before arriving in the country.
Changi Airport hopes that by the end of 2024, arriving Singapore residents and all departing travelers will be able to undergo contactless immigration clearance without presenting their passports, helping to reduce time required for immigration clearance at the airport by about 40%.
In case you don't know, the airport uses iris and facial biometrics for its immigration clearance as primary identifiers. If those scans fail, fingerprints will then be used as a secondary biometric identifier.
For those who may need assistance, such as travelers using wheelchairs and family groups with young children (up to four persons), you can go through Special Assistance Lanes at selected Departure and Arrival Immigration Halls for automated immigration clearance.
Changi Airport has more than 100 airlines in operation, with flights to destinations in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. It was recently named the World’s Best Immigration Service by airport review website Skytrax in April 2024.