December 22, 2025 | 01:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has reported that 41,800 foreign nationals were denied entry into the city-state between January and November 2025. This figure represents a sharp escalation in rejections, coinciding with the nationwide rollout of sophisticated security technologies at all border crossings.
According to reports from The Star on Sunday, December 21, 2025, the number of rejections is nearly 26 percent higher than the total for all of 2024. It is also 46 percent higher than the records from 2023. The rise stems from a jump in international travel and better detection through automated systems.
Authorities rejected these travelers at various checkpoints after careful screening. Those barred from entry included individuals on watchlists and people with criminal records. Officers conducted extra interviews and checks to judge their true intentions and right to enter.
The new security setup uses automated lanes with tools to find fake documents. It also uses multimodal biometric scans, which check faces and irises. This technology makes it faster and easier to catch people trying to use dual identities or pretend to be someone else.
Screening Before Boarding
To manage the rise in rejections and clear entry points, the ICA will launch a "No-Boarding Directive" (NBD) in January 2026. This policy will start with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia. More airlines will join the program in March 2026.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Joe Tan stated that the ICA uses passenger data and analysis to find these travelers before they land. These individuals are flagged for strict checks before they can enter Singapore. "We do not deny travellers entry simply because they are identified to be high-risk upstream. These travellers are stopped at our automated lanes upon arrival for further checks," Tan said.
In the past, airlines relied on manual visual checks, which often led to human error. The NBD makes the process more digital and secure. Immigration officers also see benefits, as processing time has dropped since the start of passport-less lanes in September 2024.
The increase in rejections shows Singapore's goal to keep its borders safe and orderly. However, travelers who follow the rules can still enter the country easily. The NBD policy aims to stop issues at the final stage of a journey and improve the overall travel experience.
PUTRI AZ ZAHRA SUHERMAN
Read: Singapore Declares Former PM Lee Kuan Yew's Home as National Monument
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