In a significant technological advancement, travelers departing from one of the world’s busiest airports will soon no longer require physical passports for their journeys. Singapore’s Changi Airport is set to introduce an automated immigration clearance system in 2024, streamlining the departure process for passengers.
This system will eliminate the need for travelers to repeatedly present their travel documents, such as passports, as they depart from the airport. Instead, biometric data, gathered through fingerprint scans and facial recognition technology, will be used to verify travelers’ identities, making it a more convenient and efficient process.
While automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport already use this technology, these new initiatives aim to enhance the overall travel experience, making it even more seamless for passengers embarking on their trips, whether for leisure or business purposes.
Singapore’s Communications Minister, Josephine Teo, emphasized that Singapore is poised to become one of the world’s pioneering countries in implementing such changes. The initial phase of the scheme is expected to be available in the early part of the next year, featuring the introduction of QR code scanning points.
To facilitate these innovations, Singapore has also revised its immigration laws, making it easier to implement biometric clearance at airports and other checkpoints. While there were concerns raised by some lawmakers regarding cybersecurity, government officials reiterated that these initiatives would better prepare Singapore for future pandemics and allow for flexible adjustments to border controls.
Changi Airport is one of the world’s busiest hubs, serving over 100 airlines and welcoming more than five million travelers in June. Passenger numbers continue to recover following the pandemic, which had brought global travel to a standstill
