Number of foreigners denied entry to Singapore up 43% in H1 2025

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore's border security has been significantly tightened, with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) reporting a 43% increase in the number of foreigners denied entry to Singapore in the first half of 2025.

The number of contraband detected has also increased by 28%.

This is due to the introduction of advanced biometric systems at checkpoints.

At the border, new technology is helping authorities identify high-risk tourists before they arrive in Singapore.

This enables the collection of sophisticated tourist information ahead of their arrival.

In the first half of 2025, the number of tourists denied entry to Singapore increased by 43% compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, better detection of illegal goods has also increased the seizure of prohibited items by almost 30%

The use of technology has also increased the flow of visitors at checkpoints, with more than 93 million visitors clearing immigration without using a passport.

This is for those arriving by land, air or sea.

Minister of Home Affairs, Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam said: "I am confident that the ICA will continue to provide world-class services while being clear about the importance of security and developing a legal framework for immigration and registration."

With the use of technology, people can now collect their passports in just a few minutes.

This is also done without the need for staff, but instead only with the help of robots.

This is to address the shortage of manpower and operational demands.

Source : CNA/AI/at