Singapore To Introduce No-Boarding Directives From 2026 To Stop High-Risk Travellers Before Arrival [NEWS]

• Singapore is introducing No-Boarding Directives (NBDs) to enhance immigration control.
• NBDs aim to prevent high-risk travelers from entering Singapore before they board their transportation.
• The measure targets individuals deemed a potential threat to public safety or security.

Singapore is set to implement a new immigration measure known as No-Boarding Directives (NBDs), designed to prevent high-risk travelers from entering the country before they even board a plane or ship.

How the No-Boarding Directives Work

Beginning in 2026, the directives will allow immigration authorities to instruct airlines and shipping operators to refuse boarding to passengers flagged as potential security, public health, or immigration threats. Airlines will be the first to enforce the rule in 2026, while shipping companies will follow by 2028.

Currently, the measures do not cover land checkpoints used by buses and private vehicles entering from Malaysia, though the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is exploring ways to extend screening to these routes.

The initiative stems from the Immigration (Amendment) Act, which took effect on December 31, 2024, and is part of Singapore’s broader national security strategy that combines biometric screening, enhanced data analysis, and strict border protocols.

ICA Reports Surge in Denials at Entry Points

In the first half of 2025, Singapore denied entry to 43% more foreigners compared to the same period in 2024, thanks to more advanced screening tools and tighter checks.

The travelers turned away generally include:

• Individuals with prior deportations or criminal records
• Persons flagged as public health or security risks
• Travelers suspected of links to extremist groups or organized crime networks

Officials emphasized that the policy targets potential threats, not legitimate visitors, and aims to safeguard public health and national security.

Growing Traffic at Singapore Borders

With 230 million travelers passing through checkpoints in 2024, up from 197 million in 2015, Singapore’s borders are busier than ever. Numbers are expected to climb further with major projects such as:

• Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS (launching December 2026)
• Changi Airport Terminal 5 (mid-2030s)
• Woodlands Checkpoint expansion (within 10–15 years)

To cope with rising traffic without significantly expanding manpower, ICA is investing heavily in technology and automation.

Passport-Free Immigration and Future Land Checks

Under the New Clearance Concept, introduced in 2019 and now fully operational, travelers can clear immigration using facial and iris scans instead of passport stamps.

• Air and sea checkpoints: Biometric clearance is already the standard.
• Land checkpoints: Currently rely on QR codes but will adopt full biometric verification soon.

As of June 30, 2025, 93 million travelers have cleared immigration without presenting a passport.

Land crossings, however, remain less scrutinized because bus and car operators do not yet submit passenger data in advance. Authorities plan to expand no-boarding-style screening to these routes, meaning travelers entering by road can expect increased data collection and monitoring in the future.

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