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SINGAPORE – A new mode of immigration clearance, using iris patterns and facial features, will replace the fingerprint method as the primary identification system at all land, sea and air checkpoints in Singapore.
In a press release on Wednesday (October 28), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that all of its automated and manual immigration lanes and counters in passenger aisles have already been outfitted with iris scanners and facials since July.
“Iris patterns and facial features will replace fingerprints as the primary biometric identifiers for immigration clearance,” ICA said in the press release.
“Fingerprints will be used as a secondary biometric identifier for travelers who are unsuccessful in their iris and facial scans.”
Travelers approaching the automated immigration lanes will be asked to use their iris and facial biometric data to obtain immigration clearance. If such authentication is unsuccessful, they will be asked to clear immigration using their fingerprints.
People using iris and face scanners for immigration clearance are advised not to wear sunglasses, hats, or other headgear that obstruct iris and facial images when going through immigration.
They are also advised not to wear colored or patterned contact lenses. Masks must be removed during immigration clearance.
How to be eligible for this authorization mode
ICA has started registering iris images of Singapore citizens and permanent residents since 2017, and these travelers are now eligible for this new mode of authorization.
Citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and international travelers in the Frequent Flyer Program (FTP) who wish to enroll their iris and face biometrics can seek the assistance of ICA officials. They can do it at checkpoints when traveling or when visiting the ICA Building for immigration facilities such as passport renewal or identity card re-registration.
Children under the age of six will not be eligible to use face and iris scanners for approval, as their physical characteristics are still developing and may not provide a reliable means of authentication. They will enroll at a later age.
Foreign visitors visiting Singapore for the first time will need to register their iris, face and fingerprint biometrics upon arrival at the immigration manual counters. They will be able to use automatic dispatch when they leave Singapore.
For their subsequent trips to Singapore, they can approve immigration using their iris and face biometrics at the manual counters, if they are using the same passport as when their biometrics were entered.
Why the shift from fingerprints to iris and facial biometrics
ICA said in the press release that by using iris patterns instead of fingerprints for identification, problems with fingerprint verification such as deterioration of fingerprints due to aging, scarring or dryness are avoided.
Second, iris patterns have a higher degree of variation and uniqueness than fingerprints and are therefore more reliable for identification purposes.
“An iris scan provides nearly 250 feature points to match, compared to about 100 feature points for a fingerprint. Furthermore, specialized equipment is required to perform the iris scan, making it less susceptible to misuse, ”said ICA.
Facial and iris scans are performed at the same time to strengthen the identification process, as facial recognition provides a second verification of a person’s identity.
For travelers, the new immigration system offers a more hygienic, more convenient and efficient immigration clearance.
ICA said it seeks to transform Singapore’s immigration clearance by 2022, when Singapore residents can approve immigration without the need to present a passport.
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