New “no-boarding” directives will stop undesirable passengers before they arrive in Singapore
Singapore is stepping up its border security with a bold move to block high-risk travellers before they even reach its shores. Under the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) new policy, selected individuals will be denied boarding on planes and ships headed for Singapore.
No-Boarding Directive to Block Risks Before Arrival
Starting from 2026 for air checkpoints and 2028 for sea routes, the ICA will issue no-boarding directives (NBDs) to prevent individuals deemed as immigration, security, or health risks from travelling to Singapore. Airlines and shipping lines that ignore these directives may face fines up to S$10,000. The move is enabled by the Immigration (Amendment) Act, which came into force on Dec 31, 2024.
The implementation for land checkpoints remains a challenge due to logistical issues, especially with passenger data collection by bus operators. Unlike air and sea transport where advanced passenger information is standard, land travel lacks these systems.
New ICA Services Centre and Automation
Coinciding with the announcement, ICA officially opened its new Services Centre (ISC) on July 31, streamlining processes with technologies like the Integrated Smart Document Management System (iSMART). The facility uses over 100 robots to manage documents such as passports and identity cards.
Visitors can now retrieve their documents via self-service kiosks in under five minutes, reducing processing time by 55%. The ISC, operating since April 2025, also features accessible kiosks and consolidated services on a single floor for improved customer experience.
Passport-less Clearance and Smart Borders
Singapore has become one of the first nations globally to implement fully automated, passport-less immigration clearance, part of ICA’s New Clearance Concept introduced in 2019. Using facial and iris biometrics or QR codes, travellers can now clear immigration seamlessly across land, sea, and air checkpoints.
This innovation comes amid rising traveller volumes—230 million crossings in 2024, up from 197 million in 2015. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam highlighted that ICA must leverage tech over manpower, especially with increasing cross-border traffic.
RTS Link and Future Developments
Mr. Shanmugam also confirmed the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Singapore and Johor Bahru will begin operations by end-2026, easing congestion with capacity for 10,000 commuters hourly, compared to the current 640 on KTM trains. Passengers will clear immigration at just one checkpoint, depending on their departure location.
Looking further ahead, the expansion of Woodlands Checkpoint over the next 10–15 years aims to reduce peak hour travel times from 60 minutes to just 15 minutes. It will also feature external security checks and designated holding areas to ease local congestion.
ICA’s Evolving Strategy Against Global Threats
ICA’s enhancements are not only operationally efficient but strategically critical. In the first half of 2025, the number of foreigners denied entry surged 43% year-on-year, thanks to better profiling and detection tools. Those previously convicted of crimes or identified as threats can now be intercepted before boarding.
This security-first approach protects Singapore’s national interests while streamlining travel for law-abiding visitors. As traveller volumes grow, especially from neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Singapore’s proactive stance will safeguard mobility and public safety.
Singapore’s latest border control reforms underscore its commitment to national security and efficient immigration processing. For Indonesians and other regional travellers, these measures signal smoother, faster, and safer access to Singapore—provided they meet all entry criteria. With digital transformation at its core, ICA is shaping the future of travel and security in Southeast Asia.
Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: ICA Singapore, No Boarding Directive, Border Security, High Risk Travellers, RTS Link, Immigration Clearance
