Singapore to roll out the scanning of iris and facial feature as the primary biometric identifiers to clear immigration.
Photo by Anna Shvets
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(May 17) During a closed-door dialogue at the Changi Aviation Summit, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean, announced that they are working on a initiative where departing travellers at Changi will not be required to present any physical identity or travel documents as they will only need to present their biometrics for verification at various departure touchpoints.
He then continued to explain that this initiative will enhance user experience and contribute to the new precautions needed for safe and healthy flying post-pandemic.
The initiative will be introduced progressively this year.
The immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has previously mentioned that in the future, Singapore residents leaving or arriving at Changi Airport will be able to clear immigration with only scanning their iris and facial biometrics as they walk through the clearance gates, without presenting their passports.
Recently, ICA also mentioned that starting from the second half of 2022, foreign travellers who have registered their iris and facial biometrics on their first visit to Singapore will be able to get automated immigration clearance on their next trips to Singapore.
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References: The Straits Times (website)