Under this new system, arriving and departing Singapore residents can clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics alone
Changi Airport has fully implemented biometric clearance across all four terminals, eliminating the need for passports at immigration checkpoints for both Singapore residents and departing foreign visitors. The system, now operational, allows for passport-free clearance in an average of just 10 seconds, according to a release from Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Under this new system, arriving and departing Singapore residents can clear immigration using facial and iris biometrics alone, bypassing the need for a passport. “Arriving and departing Singapore residents can clear immigration by simply using facial and iris biometrics, without the need to present their passport,” the ICA stated. Departing foreign visitors will also benefit from the new passport-free process, though foreign arrivals must still present their passports upon entry.
The ICA has reassured travellers that no pre-registration is needed to use the New Clearance Concept (NCC), which relies on biometric identifiers for fast and accurate identity verification.
The technology powering this innovation is provided by Idemia, a global leader in biometrics, which supplies Changi Airport’s Augmented Borders Suite of ID-Look facial and iris recognition devices and back-end systems. Idemia has been instrumental in Changi’s biometric advancements, having supported the airport’s facial recognition systems since 2016, even before the company adopted its current name.
Last year, Idemia strengthened its collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, signing an agreement with the Ministry’s technology department to co-develop biometric and forensic solutions for homeland security. This strategic partnership aims to push forward Singapore’s use of advanced biometric technologies, with Changi Airport at the forefront of these developments.