Car travellers will now have to scan their thumbprints to clear immigration at Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints.
In a statement today (Sept 25), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the BioScreen system, which captures the thumbprints of those arriving at and departing from Singapore’s checkpoints, will be progressively implemented at car counters at the two land checkpoints. This will allow travellers time to become familiar with the new process.
Car travellers aged six and above will have to undergo the thumbprint scanning.
“The driver and passengers will be required to step out of their car and scan both thumbprints when they seek immigration clearance at the car counters,” ICA explained.
The implementation of Bioscreen at car counters also raises the possibility of a longer immigration clearance time.
“Security at our checkpoints is ICA’s top priority. The BioScreen system is an important measure, as it enables ICA’s verification of travellers’ identities to be more robust,” ICA said.
Launched in April last year, the BioScreen system has been rolled out across various land checkpoints for train and bus travellers, as well as for lorries and goods vehicles.