Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands & Tuas checkpoints during Deepavali long weekend

ICA expects heavy traffic at land checkpoints for Deepavali weekend

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects heavy traffic at both land checkpoints during the upcoming Deepavali long weekend.

In an advisory on Sunday (1 Nov), ICA urged travellers to plan for any journeys between 6 and 9 Nov.

Travellers should expect continuous delays at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.

ICA reports that during the September school holidays, more than 6.1 million people crossed the land checkpoints.

This volume peaked at over 599,000 travellers clearing immigration on 4 Sept, setting a new record from the 598,000 on 19 June.

Departing motorists faced waiting times of up to three hours during this period, due to tailbacks from Malaysia.

Heightened security checks across all checkpoints “in view of the heightened global security environment” will also add to waiting times during peak periods.

Travellers encouraged to use QR codes for faster clearance

ICA strongly encourages all travellers to generate QR codes via the MyICA mobile app for passport-less clearance.

New initiatives like QR code clearance and facial recognition for motorcyclists and pillion riders have raised departure clearance by over 35%.

This allows officers to clear an extra 7,600 travellers every hour compared with pre-Covid-19 levels in 2019.

Bus passengers with wheelchairs or young children can clear immigration faster at the Special Assistance Lanes using QR codes.

Enhanced SG Arrival Card requirements for short-term visitors

ICA also reminded travellers about the enhanced SG Arrival Card (SGAC) scheme rolled out on 30 Sept.

All short-term visitors using the MyICA Mobile app must update it to the latest version before submitting their SGAC.

Visitors entering Singapore in foreign-registered cars must also hold a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) before making their SGAC submission.

The system will reject SGAC submissions if the foreign vehicle lacks a valid VEP.

Motorists must observe lane discipline & hold valid permits

ICA warns motorists to cooperate with officers, observe lane discipline and comply with traffic rules.

“Those caught queue cutting will be directed to make a U-turn and re-join the queue from the back,” the advisory says.

During the September holidays, officers caught 27 motorists for traffic offences and reckless driving, who were referred to the Traffic Police, turned back, or banned from Singapore.

From 2 Nov, foreign vehicles with unpaid fines for traffic or emission offences cannot enter Singapore.

ICA advised travellers to check traffic conditions in advance and confirm their passports have a remaining validity of at least six months.

Also read: ICA announces opening of automated immigration clearance lanes for motorcyclists and pillions

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Featured image adapted from Boogeesoo at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.