Singapore’s effort to automate immigration clearance at land checkpoints has been ongoing, but the adoption of QR code clearance remains modest. ICA data shows that only 48 per cent of bus passengers and 40 per cent of motorcyclists currently use the QR code method. Car travellers fare slightly better, with 69 per cent opting for it, while lorry drivers see the highest usage at 85 per cent.
Older travellers are slower to adopt this method, with only half of those above 51 years old using it. In contrast, 70 per cent of people aged 21 to 50 have tried it.
Traveller Experiences
At the Woodlands Checkpoint bus hall, many still rely on physical passports. Ms Nur Surya, 40, and Mr Najib Siddik, 43, said, “This is the first time we are entering this way. We just heard about it (the QR code clearance), and have never used it before.”
Mr Jayme Emmanuel, 47, faced issues generating the QR code for his family. “We tried to use the QR code method, but it could not be generated. We ended up using our passports to get through,” he said.
ICA’s Push for Awareness
To encourage adoption, ICA has increased publicity efforts. Videos explaining QR code usage are shared on social media, digital signage, and buses. Step-by-step posters are displayed in bus halls, and officers are stationed at checkpoints to guide travellers.
“In anticipation of the rollout of the Automated Passenger Clearance System (APCS) in 2026, ICA strongly encourages travellers to start using QR code clearance now,” the agency said. This will help travellers get familiar with the process and benefit from faster, more convenient clearance.
ICA noted that peak year-end traffic may cause longer waiting times. “Traveller volume peaked on Nov 21, with over 555,000 travellers clearing immigration through the land checkpoints in a single day,” ICA stated. Officers will also intensify checks against the smuggling of e-vaporisers during this period.
