SINGAPORE – It will take about 20 seconds to clear the motorcycle immigration arrival lane at Woodlands Checkpoint under the new facial recognition system from March 31, when riders and pillion riders will no longer need to show their passports.
They will be able to access 18 of the checkpoint’s automated motorcycle lanes for quicker and hassle-free clearance.
Currently, it takes about 30 seconds for motorcyclists to clear immigration.
Under the new system, motorcyclists with open-face helmets would only need to look into a camera at the immigration counter before being cleared.
Facial images will progressively replace fingerprints as the primary biometric identifier for motorcyclists and pillion riders clearing land checkpoints.
From March 31, facial images will progressively replace fingerprints as the primary biometric identifier for motorcycle travellers at land checkpoints.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said this is part of its New Clearance Concept (NCC) for a contactless, secure and faster immigration clearance experience.
Superintendent Eliane Chee, senior assistant director of operations development branch at ICA, said facial scans are “especially useful on rainy days, as wet fingerprints are harder to detect”.
“More than 150,000 motorcyclists have participated in our trials since January this year, and their feedback has allowed us to deliver a better clearance experience.”
Since January, ICA has been conducting facial recognition trials for immigration clearance at some motorcycle lanes at Woodlands Checkpoint’s arrival zone.
Based on feedback from users and on-the-ground observations, ICA has strengthened the system’s ability to detect when facial features are obstructed, such as when a person is wearing a face mask or sunglasses.
