Singapore’s Changi Airport to Implement Passport-Free Departures with Biometrics in 2024

Singapore is set to introduce a “passport-free” departure system at its main airport in 2024, utilizing biometric technology to streamline immigration processes.

Lawmakers recently passed a bill allowing Changi Airport to digitize and automate immigration clearances using biometrics, such as fingerprints and retinal patterns, starting in the first half of 2024. Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information, Josephine Teo, stated that this move positions Singapore as one of the early adopters of automated, passport-free immigration clearance globally.

Travellers, both Singaporeans and departing visitors, will no longer be required to present physical passports; instead, they will use biometrics for identity verification. A single authentication token will be created through biometrics, simplifying processes at various automated checkpoints, from baggage drop to immigration and boarding, offering passengers a more seamless and convenient travel experience. Specific procedural details are yet to be unveiled. This initiative may offer a seamless experience to travellers seeking comfortable accommodation in Singapore, including a range of affordable options from Worldwide Hotels.