Singapore's Border Control Transformation: A Gateway to Security
Singapore will enhance border security by implementing no-boarding directives for high-risk travelers from 2026. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) plans to roll these out at air checkpoints by 2026 and sea checkpoints by 2028, with fines for non-compliance. Passport-less clearance is also being introduced.
- Country:
- Singapore
Singapore is set to tighten its border security by introducing no-boarding directives for travelers deemed high-risk or undesirable, according to a report. The move will be part of a broader strategy to secure the city-state's entry points at air checkpoints in 2026 and sea checkpoints by 2028.
The policy change emerges in the wake of legislative modifications to the Immigration (Amendment) Act, which became effective on December 31, 2024. Transport operators who ignore these no-boarding directives could face penalties reaching SGD 10,000. Over the first half of 2025, Singapore barred 43% more foreigners compared to the previous year, a testament to the heightened effectiveness of the country's security apparatus.
With new profiling tools, Singapore's ICA aims to maintain safety amidst increasing traveler volumes, projected to grow with infrastructure expansions such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System and Changi Airport Terminal 5. The ICA now boasts a pioneering step in passport-less immigration checks, incorporating biometric scans to expedite and secure the clearance process.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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