Starting in 2026, Singapore will block high-risk travellers before they even set foot in the country. New No-Boarding Directives (NBDs) will empower immigration authorities to stop people deemed a health, security, or immigration risk by instructing airlines and shipping companies not to let them board.

And if any airline ignores the No-Boarding Directives (NBDs)? They could face a fine of up to SGD 10,000. Let’s break down what’s changing and why it matters for travellers.

No-Boarding Rules Coming Soon

The No-Boarding Directives (NBDs) are a direct result of the Immigration (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on December 31, 2024. Under the updated rules:

• Airlines will be required to comply with no-boarding directives starting in 2026.
• Shipping operators must follow suit by 2028.
• Land checkpoints, like those used by buses and private vehicles crossing from Malaysia, aren’t included yet, but ICA is exploring how to expand pre-screening to those routes too.

This is about stopping trouble before it reaches the airport gate. Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is aiming to screen out unwanted travellers using predictive security checks, better data collection, and biometric profiling.

Entry Rejections on the Rise

In the first half of 2025, ICA denied entry to 43% more foreigners than during the same period in 2024. That spike isn’t random. It reflects upgraded tools and protocols aimed at identifying high-risk individuals before they get to Singapore’s border.

So who’s being stopped? The ICA hasn’t named names, but examples likely include:

• People previously deported or banned due to criminal records
• Individuals flagged as security or public health threats
• Travellers with links to extremist networks or organised crime

This isn’t about tightening the doors on everyone; it’s about filtering more accurately and earlier.

Big Volume, Limited Manpower: Enter Biometrics

Singapore’s traveller numbers are surging. In 2024, 230 million people passed through its checkpoints, up from 197 million in 2015. With three major infrastructure projects in the works, those numbers are expected to climb even higher:

• Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS): Set to launch by December 2026
• Changi Airport Terminal 5: Expected in the mid-2030s
• Woodlands Checkpoint expansion: Targeted within 10–15 years

But here’s the challenge: ICA’s staff can’t keep growing at the same rate. So instead of more boots on the ground, they’re investing in smarter tech.

Welcome to Passport-Free Travel

One of the biggest changes you’ll notice as a traveller: passport-less immigration clearance.

Thanks to ICA’s New Clearance Concept, rolled out in 2019 and now fully implemented, all travellers, regardless of nationality, can clear immigration using biometrics:

• Air and sea checkpoints: Facial or iris recognition replaces passport stamping.
• Land checkpoints: QR-code-based clearance is used, but full biometric rollout is on the horizon.

As of June 30, 2025, 93 million travellers have passed through Singapore immigration without showing a passport. That number is only going up.

Why It Matters for Cross-Border Travellers

Many regional travellers still fly into Malaysia and then drive into Singapore by car, taxi, or bus. That route has historically seen less pre-screening because land checkpoints don’t require the same level of advance data sharing from transport providers.

But Singapore’s authorities are aware, and they’re working to close that gap.

ICA wants to extend similar no-boarding-style oversight to land routes. While implementation may take time, expect increased data collection and surveillance along cross-border ground travel routes in the coming years.

Final Thoughts

Singapore isn’t building a fortress. It’s building a more intelligent, adaptive border system, one that focuses on early intervention, tech-driven screening, and seamless travel for those who play by the rules.

If you’re a legitimate traveller, expect faster lines and fewer forms. But if you’re flagged as a risk, you may not even make it onto the plane.

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