ICA to tap AI and digital tools to streamline processes, in-car border clearance at Tuas from 2027

SINGAPORE – Application processes for immigration documents like passports will be streamlined with the introduction of a new AI tool, and in-car border clearance will be automated from 2027 on arrival at the Tuas checkpoint for drivers and passengers.

The immigration clearance will be done using QR codes and facial biometrics, removing the need for officers to be deployed at the counters.

These were among changes announced on May 8 at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Workplan Seminar, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

Speaking at the launch of the seminar, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said a multi-modal AI tool named Matrix will be introduced as part of ICA’s Integrated Processing System.

This will be rolled out in the near future.

The agency will use the tool to automatically classify and extract key data from passports and other documents, removing the need for labour-intensive manual checks.

Mr Shanmugam said this will result in faster verification, fewer errors and a better experience for everyone.

The tool will be used by ICA as part of its Integrated Processing System, which was launched in June 2024 as a one-stop online portal for citizenship, permanent residence and long-term visit pass services.

It will be expanded to cover applications for NRIC, re-entry permit, APEC Business Travel Card, passport and short-term visit pass.

Mr Shanmugam said the nation’s border security will look to harness the strengths of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to continue streamlining its processes.

He noted that the agency has already digitalised application processes and used advanced biometrics systems to detect identity fraud.

ICA’s transformation will continue with new initiatives, including the use of algorithms and machine learning models to detect complex patterns and conduct risk profiling for each person seeking entry into Singapore.

“These targeting measures are going to be expanded. High-risk vehicles will be covered from July this year, and high risk cargo will be covered from June next year,” added Mr Shanmugam.

Automated clearance

ICA said its new clearance concept (NCC), which has seen nearly 127 million travellers in 2025 clearing immigration in Singapore without being required to produce their passports, will be extended to all vehicles at land checkpoints.

The highest volume of travellers in and out of Singapore is usually via the land checkpoints.

The agency will expand automated clearance on arrival at the land checkpoints to vehicles and cargo, with a system that allows for 24/7 automated clearance lanes for drivers and passengers.

“What do drivers need to do? They need to drive into the lane, they need to scan the QR code and present their facial biometrics for clearance. There is no contact at all and no need to step out and present passports. There is no need for an immigration officer to be at the counter.

“This will be rolled out in early next year at Tuas (Checkpoint),” said Mr Shanmugam.

Expanding on the initiative, ICA said drivers and passengers travelling by cars, motorcycles and cargo vehicles will be able to perform automated self-immigration clearance without disembarking from their vehicles.

“This will increase clearance throughput, while providing a more seamless clearance experience,” the agency added.

Live trials will be conducted at the Automated Passenger Clearance System (APCS) lanes at Tuas Checkpoint to collect user feedback in the coming months.

It added: “By transitioning from manual face-to-face checks to biometric verification at the APCS lanes, border security will be enhanced while reducing reliance on officer-manned counters.

“With less need for manual intervention, a single officer can oversee multiple lanes remotely via a dashboard, which provides access to live camera feeds of the APCS lanes.

“Travellers are also able to communicate directly with officers through an intercom at each lane.

“These enhancements allow the APCS lanes to operate continuously, enabling ICA to scale up clearance capacity more efficiently and provide a more seamless experience for travellers.”

ICA said APCS lanes for cars will be progressively implemented at Tuas Checkpoint from early 2027, before subsequent rollout to the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint.

The lanes may also be configured to clear up to two motorcycles at any one time, depending on traffic conditions and operational needs.

Mr Shanmugam said Singapore is the first country in the world to have automated lanes at passenger checkpoints that allow for clearance by groups.

“That serves families. It serves parents with young children. It also serves travellers with mobility needs,” he added.

The capability was showcased at an exhibition held at the seminar.

Drivers and passengers, who presented QR codes or passports, were scanned and had their biometric facial details verified without having to step out of the car.

ICA said: “These enhancements allow the APCS lanes to operate continuously, enabling ICA to scale up clearance capacity more efficiently and provide a more seamless experience for travellers.”

Tapping AI

ICA will also begin self-service trials in the second half of 2026 with a system that uses an AI-driven quality checker for fingerprints to register biometrics for new citizens, PRs and long-term immigration pass holders.

“The technology needs to be trialled to make sure it works well. And if it does work well, then the public may no longer need to wait to be served by an ICA officer to enrol their biometrics,” said Mr Shanmugam.

ICA is partnering with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) to develop the multimodal AI-driven tool for its Integrated Processing System.

Matrix will utilise a visual language model to analyse and understand documents, regardless of their format or layout.

Going one step further, ICA will also introduce an AI anomaly detection initiative to check submitted documents for irregularities, which will help its officers spot documents that have been potentially altered.

These documents could include education or marriage certificates.

Mr Shanmugam said ICA will continue to encourage ideas and experimentation to improve its work. 

“The aim is for officers to focus on tasks that require critical judgment (like) conducting assessments, handling complex case work and managing automated systems, and hopefully they get freed more and more from manual and repetitive tasks.”