Electronic channels, installed two years ago at the main checkpoints, have so far been reserved for Singapore citizens and long-term immigration pass holders with special access cards.

These two groups take 12 seconds to have their passports scanned and their thumbprints matched. Clearing immigration the manual way takes 50 seconds.

A month-long trial to allow PRs to use these channels started last Monday at the Singapore Cruise Centre checkpoint.

It will be extended to other checkpoints in phases. PRs will be given access to these e-channels after the kinks are ironed out.

The over 200,000 foreign professionals or students who will be issued a special green long-term pass from next year will also get to use these e-channels, an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) spokesman said.

Ahead of the Formula One race and the integrated resorts, which will both bring an extra flood of visitors, ICA will build 47 more electronic clearance lanes in the next year at six checkpoints. The Singapore Cruise Centre and Woodlands Checkpoint will get the lion's share.

Improvements to e-channels for motorcyclists are planned. Only single bikers use the e-channels now. Those with pillions have to queue for manual clearance.

About 143 million travellers pass through the borders yearly, of which over 50 million are Singapore citizens and PRs.

Malaysian citizen Lim Hon Hai, 36, holds a long-term immigration pass, so he could breeze through the e-channels now.

But the sheer number of people creates a long tail-back of vehicles to be cleared, and can add 45min to the electrician's daily bike trips in and out of here.

He said: 'If there are more lanes, or if more people can use the electronic lanes, it will be better for all of us who are queuing.'

serl@sph.com.sg