Singapore is implementing a new immigration control system known as No-Boarding Directives (NBDs), which will empower authorities to block high-risk individuals from boarding planes and ships to the country. Beginning in 2026, this move will allow the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to instruct transport operators—specifically airlines and shipping companies—to deny boarding to travellers deemed a threat to national security, public health, or immigration integrity.

The NBDs are a cornerstone of a broader national initiative to enhance border control through advanced biometric technology, improved risk profiling, and expanded surveillance. Authorities say these changes are essential for keeping unwanted individuals out of Singapore before they reach the nation’s borders.

Phased Implementation of NBDs Begins in 2026

The new directive originates from the Immigration (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on December 31, 2024. Under the phased rollout plan:

• Airlines will be required to comply with the No-Boarding Directives starting in 2026.

• Shipping companies must enforce the same measures by 2028.

• Land checkpoints, including those connecting Singapore to Malaysia, are currently excluded but under review.

The ICA is exploring how to apply similar pre-screening at land borders, particularly for buses, taxis, and private vehicles entering from Johor.

The No-Boarding Directives will rely heavily on data analytics, biometric screening, and predictive algorithms to flag individuals for whom boarding should be denied. These tools will allow Singapore to prevent potential threats from ever reaching its border posts.

Sharp Rise in Entry Denials in 2025 Signals Tighter Screening

In the first half of 2025, the ICA barred 43% more foreign nationals from entering Singapore compared to the same period in 2024. Officials attribute this spike to the rollout of more sophisticated screening tools and early identification of high-risk travellers.

Though the ICA has not disclosed the exact number of individuals turned away, officials say those denied entry likely included:

• Individuals previously deported or banned for criminal activity

• Persons identified as security or public health risks

• Travellers with suspected affiliations to extremist groups or organized crime syndicates

Authorities emphasized that the aim is not to discourage legitimate visitors but to proactively block potential threats at the source. The increase in entry denials demonstrates the government’s commitment to securing its borders in an increasingly complex global security environment.

Surging Cross-Border Traffic Requires Smarter Security, Not More Staff

Singapore’s immigration checkpoints are under growing pressure as cross-border travel increases. In 2024, more than 230 million people passed through its land, sea, and air checkpoints—a significant rise from 197 million in 2015.

With key infrastructure projects underway, including:

• The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), set to launch in December 2026

• The Changi Airport Terminal 5, projected to open in the mid-2030s

• The Woodlands Checkpoint expansion, scheduled for completion within 10–15 years

—officials expect the volume of travellers to continue rising sharply.

Recognizing that hiring additional immigration officers alone cannot keep pace with demand, Singapore is investing heavily in digital infrastructure and automated screening systems to manage border traffic more efficiently.

Biometric Clearance Becomes the New Normal

A transformative aspect of Singapore’s border control modernization is the New Clearance Concept, initiated in 2019 and now fully operational. This system allows all travellers, regardless of nationality, to clear immigration using biometric data rather than traditional documents.

Key features include:

• Facial and iris scans replacing passport stamps at air and sea checkpoints

• QR code-based entry at land checkpoints, with full biometric clearance to follow soon

As of June 30, 2025, over 93 million people had cleared Singapore’s immigration systems without showing a passport—a strong indicator of the country’s shift toward high-tech border control.

Land Borders Remain a Challenge for Pre-Screening

Despite these technological advancements, land checkpoints remain less secure in terms of pre-arrival screening. Currently, airlines are required to provide advance passenger information, allowing for pre-departure risk analysis. However, bus, taxi, and private vehicle operators crossing from Malaysia are not yet subject to the same requirements.

This gap has created a vulnerability in Singapore’s otherwise robust system.

Authorities are actively exploring how to apply no-boarding-style checks to land travel as well. While this adaptation will take time, officials confirmed that more data-sharing and surveillance measures for cross-border road travel are under development.

Conclusion: A Future of Preemptive Border Security

With its upcoming No-Boarding Directives, Singapore is positioning itself at the forefront of preemptive border security. By stopping potential threats before they leave their countries of origin, the government aims to reduce risk, streamline entry processes, and protect its residents from external dangers.

While these changes will place more responsibility on transport operators and require greater international cooperation, Singaporean authorities believe the result will be a safer, smarter, and more efficient immigration system for years to come.