ICA warns of heavy traffic at land checkpoints over Deepavali long weekend

SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned travellers to expect heavy traffic at both the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints during the upcoming Deepavali public holiday long weekend.

In a statement issued ahead of the holiday period from this Friday (Oct 17) to next Monday (Oct 20), ICA said travellers may experience longer waiting times due to the anticipated surge in traffic and ongoing enforcement operations against e-cigarette smuggling.

According to ICA, more than 5.8 million travellers passed through the two land checkpoints during the September school holidays, with a record 575,000 people clearing customs on Sept 5 alone.

The authority also noted that congestion on the Malaysian side could significantly worsen delays. Passengers departing Singapore by bus during peak periods may face waiting times of up to three hours before clearing immigration.

Travellers are advised to check the latest traffic conditions before starting their journey and to consider alternative transport options such as cross-border buses. ICA also encouraged the use of the MyICA mobile app, which allows travellers to register and generate a QR code for passport-free immigration clearance. Despite this feature, all travellers are still required to carry their passports.

ICA urged all travellers to follow officers’ instructions and to cooperate fully at the checkpoints to ensure smoother clearance.

The authority also reminded the public that the possession, use, or import of e-cigarettes remains strictly prohibited in Singapore. Offenders will face harsher penalties, and foreign travellers caught with such items may be deported and banned from re-entering the country.