Expect a speedier entry the next time you visit Australia, now that the SmartGate facilities have been extended to Singaporeans.
Instead of queueing up at the immigration counter upon arrival in any of Australia’s eight major airports, the SmartGate trial run will give any Singaporean e-passport holder aged 16 and above a self-processing option.
Singapore becomes the first Asian country to be offered the SmartGate option, currently available to Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom citizens on a permanent basis and to United States and Swiss e-passport holders under trial arrangements.
Singaporeans made the bulk of Southeast Asian travellers to Australia last year.
Over the next year, Australia’s Customs and Border Protection plans to include other countries in the trial, giving priority to those with the most regular visitors to Australia.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Photo: Australia Customs and Border Protection Service Facebook page
