Singapore’s Changi Airport has become the world’s first to eliminate the need for passports, relying instead on advanced biometric facial and iris recognition technology to verify travellers’ identities.
Facing a monthly average of 5.4 million travellers, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) needed a cutting-edge solution to handle growing passenger volumes efficiently without compromising security. The result is a state-of-the-art biometric system designed to enhance both the speed and security of the immigration process.
For Singapore residents, including citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders, this new system offers a passport-free experience at Changi Airport’s immigration checkpoints. As ICA’s Assistant Commissioner Alan Koo explained, “The implementation of passport-less clearance is a significant milestone in our efforts to streamline immigration processes and leverage technology for greater efficiency. Travellers can now enjoy a faster and more seamless journey through our airport.”
Under this system, which has been fully rolled out across all four terminals, residents clear immigration using only their facial and iris biometrics, with clearance times dropping from an average of 25 seconds to just 10 seconds—a 60 percent improvement in efficiency.
How the Biometric System works
The passport-free system relies on a New Clearance Concept (NCC) that uses biometric data—specifically facial and iris recognition—rather than traditional passport verification.
Travellers simply approach the biometric scanner, which swiftly verifies their identity based on stored biometric data, eliminating the need for any physical travel documents.
However, ICA advises all travellers to continue carrying their passports, as some destination countries may still require them for immigration purposes.
Foreign visitors entering Singapore must present their passports on arrival, though they can enjoy the convenience of passport-free clearance on departure if their biometric data was captured upon entry. ICA retains the right to request passports if additional verification is needed.
Benefits of Biometric technology
The advantages of biometric technology in air travel are clear: faster clearance, improved security, and a streamlined traveller experience. By reducing reliance on physical documents, the biometric system minimises risks associated with identity fraud, while also reducing congestion in high-traffic areas, allowing airports to handle more passengers without compromising security standards.
ICA’s Assistant Commissioner Alan Koo notes, “With more automated gates, ICA officers are now being redeployed to take on higher-value roles, such as interviewing and profiling of passengers,” focusing on maintaining safety and addressing potential risks in real time.
Other airports following suit
The new biometric clearance system has sparked interest globally, with other major airports launching their own advanced identification systems. For example, Abu Dhabi International Airport is rolling out its ambitious Smart Travel Project, aiming for document-free travel by 2025. The Smart Travel Project introduces biometric sensors at every checkpoint—from check-in counters to boarding gates—reducing processing times to as low as seven seconds.
Airports in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New Delhi have also adopted biometric checkpoints, providing smoother passenger processing. In the US, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented facial recognition across 96 international airports to streamline arrivals and departures for millions of travellers, while Europe’s Heathrow Airport has trialled digital identity verification, allowing passengers to store travel documents in digital wallets.