Visitors to Singapore must enter with fingerprints

Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that from April 20, it will take fingerprints from visitors entering and leaving the country.

Visitors to Singapore must have their fingerprints taken upon entry and exit. Photo: VNA

Fingerprinting will initially be required at land and sea ports of entry, and will later be rolled out at airports. Specifically, visitors aged 6 and above, including Singapore citizens, will be required to have their two thumbs scanned for each entry and exit at ports of entry.

According to ICA, this regulation will not greatly affect Singapore citizens, permanent residents or foreigners living, studying and working long-term in this country.

Because these subjects have always been encouraged to use the automatic immigration declaration system at the airport gate (eIACS), through automatic passport and fingerprint scanning.

ICA said the new system is aimed at improving the identification of travellers entering and leaving Singapore and enhancing border security. However, it warned that fingerprinting may result in longer processing times at immigration checkpoints.

It is understood that Singapore immigration authorities are also considering setting up self-service kiosks to take fingerprints of foreigners at Terminal 4 of Changi International Airport when it officially opens.

In response to this move, many security experts said that the application of fingerprints and other biometric measures aims to reduce the use of fake or stolen passports, in the context of the risk of global terrorism that can threaten the security of any country./.

According to VNA