In a step towards paperless immigration clearance, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced today that it will be implementing an electronic arrival card for foreign visitors to Singapore. The three-month trial, which begins tomorrow, will eventually phase out paper copies of the disembarkation/embarkation cards that travelers are required to fill up before they arrive on our shores.
With this new feature, visitors can submit personal information and trip details through the ICA website or a mobile app before they touch down in Singapore. That means immigration clearance may be a quicker process as well, since travelers will only have to produce their passports at the counters.
This electronic arrival card will be offered in different languages, and those traveling with families or in small groups can make a one-time group submission. If you’re using the app, you can even save the information submitted from previous trips so you won’t have to fill it out on your next visit.
The trial won’t affect Singaporeans, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders returning to Singapore, and will be conducted at most of the land, air, and sea checkpoints. These include Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, Changi Airport, Singapore Cruise Centre, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Changi Point Ferry Terminal, and Changi Ferry Terminal.
Those who arrive at these checkpoints without their paper arrival cards may be approached by ICA officers to take part in the trial and provide feedback that’ll help fine tune the system. Once implemented, the new system could save up to 48 million paper-based arrival cards a year.
More details will be revealed at a later date after the trial has been completed.
Sounds like a breeze, right? Although one netizen thought it was easier said than done.
