Singapore is set to overhaul the way it enforces border controls, moving key immigration checks overseas as it responds to a sharp rise in travelers denied entry. Beginning in January 2026, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) will introduce a No Boarding Directive (NBD) that prevents certain passengers from boarding flights to the country if they are deemed ineligible to enter.
The policy marks a significant shift in enforcement strategy, placing greater emphasis on pre-departure screening by airlines rather than relying solely on checks conducted at immigration counters upon arrival.
Surge in Refused Entries Triggers Policy Shift
The move comes after a notable increase in refused entries at Singapore’s borders. ICA data shows that approximately 41,800 foreigners were denied entry at Singapore checkpoints during the first 11 months of 2025. That figure is nearly 26 percent higher than the total recorded for all of 2024 and 46 percent higher than in 2023.
Authorities say the increase reflects both the rebound in global travel and improved detection capabilities. As passenger volumes climbed, ICA expanded its clearance model to identify high-risk travelers earlier in the travel process, reducing reliance on last-minute assessments at arrival halls.
How the No Boarding Directive Will Work
Under the NBD framework, airlines will receive boarding instructions after passenger data is screened through ICA systems. Travelers deemed ineligible for entry will be stopped at the airline check-in counter and denied boarding before departure.
ICA Deputy Assistant Commissioner Joe Tan said NBDs will only be issued when authorities are fully certain that a traveler is prohibited from entering Singapore. Travelers assessed as higher risk are not automatically barred from entry. Instead, they may be subjected to deeper checks if they arrive in Singapore without an NBD.
Passengers issued an NBD who still intend to enter Singapore must seek ICA approval before booking a new flight, The Straits Times reported. This requirement adds a new layer of compliance for travelers and reinforces the role of airlines as frontline partners in border enforcement.
Airlines Involved in the Initial Rollout
From January 2026, selected airlines—including Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia—will begin enforcing the directive for passengers traveling to Singapore. The checks will apply to arrivals at Singapore Changi Airport.
ICA said more airlines are expected to join the program from March 2026, gradually expanding the reach of the directive across Singapore’s air network.
Technology Driving Tighter Screening
ICA attributes many of the refused entries to advanced security technologies deployed at checkpoints in recent years. These include automated immigration lanes equipped with counter-forgery detection and multi-modal biometric screening using facial and iris recognition.
The systems are designed to detect impersonation, multiple identities, and travelers barred due to criminal or security concerns. Advance passenger information and data analytics also allow ICA to flag persons of interest before they arrive in Singapore.
According to ICA, these tools reduce human error and provide more consistent outcomes compared with traditional manual passport inspections.
Lessons From the United States and Australia
Singapore’s approach mirrors border control systems already in use in other major travel markets. The United States operates the Secure Flight program, which screens passengers against real-time watchlists maintained by federal agencies. Australia uses a similar model through its Movement Alert List, administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
Both systems aim to prevent high-risk travelers from boarding aircraft rather than stopping them after arrival, reducing strain on frontline officers and airport infrastructure.
Impact on Checkpoints and Officers
While the NBD mainly applies to air and sea travel, ICA said land checkpoints remain secure. Foreign travelers entering Singapore by land must still submit arrival cards, allowing ICA to access advance information for screening.
The shift toward automation and upstream enforcement is also intended to ease pressure on frontline officers. Before advanced systems were introduced, officers often had only seconds to assess travelers while managing long queues, increasing stress and fatigue.
With passport-less clearance at automated lanes rolled out by September 2024, officers can now focus more on investigation and assessment rather than routine clearance—supporting Singapore’s goal of maintaining strong border security while managing growing travel demand.
