Singapore fingerprinting visitors (status updates?)
Mar 13, 2016, 7:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 9
Singapore fingerprinting visitors (status updates?)
Hi,
At the end of January, press reports said Singapore would start fingerprinting all visitors "from June":
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...nd-air-and-sea
The source for all of the press reports was the same speech in Parliament by a government minister.
I'm planning to go to Singapore in April and don't want to be fingerprinted, so I'm concerned about whether the program might start early (or might be rolled out sooner at Changi than at the sea and land checkpoints). Can people who travel to Singapore frequently or will be going there in the interim give me an update?
At the end of January, press reports said Singapore would start fingerprinting all visitors "from June":
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...nd-air-and-sea
The source for all of the press reports was the same speech in Parliament by a government minister.
I'm planning to go to Singapore in April and don't want to be fingerprinted, so I'm concerned about whether the program might start early (or might be rolled out sooner at Changi than at the sea and land checkpoints). Can people who travel to Singapore frequently or will be going there in the interim give me an update?
Mar 16, 2016, 2:41 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SGN/SIN
Posts: 44
I fly in and out of SIN about every 2 weeks. So far, no fingerprinting. I go through the automated turnstiles so am already required to give a quick fingerprint scan. I am going tomorrow and will have a look but if SIN says June, then it will probably be June.
Mar 19, 2016, 8:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Sounds like a way to detect multiple citizens (which is against the law in Singapore) who have been clandestinely visiting Singapore on their foreign passports.
Mar 22, 2016, 4:46 am
#7
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Hi,
At the end of January, press reports said Singapore would start fingerprinting all visitors "from June":
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...nd-air-and-sea
The source for all of the press reports was the same speech in Parliament by a government minister.
I'm planning to go to Singapore in April and don't want to be fingerprinted, so I'm concerned about whether the program might start early (or might be rolled out sooner at Changi than at the sea and land checkpoints). Can people who travel to Singapore frequently or will be going there in the interim give me an update?
At the end of January, press reports said Singapore would start fingerprinting all visitors "from June":
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...nd-air-and-sea
The source for all of the press reports was the same speech in Parliament by a government minister.
I'm planning to go to Singapore in April and don't want to be fingerprinted, so I'm concerned about whether the program might start early (or might be rolled out sooner at Changi than at the sea and land checkpoints). Can people who travel to Singapore frequently or will be going there in the interim give me an update?
What do you mean by "You don't want to be fingerprinted"? This is Singapore. If you refuse to get fingerprinted... basically, you don't get to enter the country. Period.
Mar 23, 2016, 10:06 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 9
I've made travel plans on the basis of whether particular countries required fingerprints before, and I expect I'll do it again in the future. So my question is really about whether I ought to change my imminent plans.
Apr 3, 2016, 10:22 pm
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2014
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Had 3 recent arrivals to Changi. No fingerprinting - yet.
Not sure why this is different than what is already done on arrival in NRT - digital finger printing and iris scans. Even after a dozen entries, one would think they would keep a database with corresponding entries to passports......or maybe not
Not sure why this is different than what is already done on arrival in NRT - digital finger printing and iris scans. Even after a dozen entries, one would think they would keep a database with corresponding entries to passports......or maybe not
Apr 4, 2016, 3:46 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 35
As for your second sentence, well - if you change your passport it wouldn't match anymore, so rather than going through the hassle, just do it every time. Disgusting but logical.
Apr 4, 2016, 4:10 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
It has been stated in this thread several times that the fingerprinting will start in June.
It isn't different.
Japan keeps a database and Singapore will be keeping a database.
If you are removed from Singapore and you think you can enter again by getting a new country's passport... think again. If you commit a crime and your fingerprints are found at the scene, be prepared to be kept in the country.
Not sure why this is different than what is already done on arrival in NRT - digital finger printing and iris scans.
Even after a dozen entries, one would think they would keep a database with corresponding entries to passports......or maybe not
If you are removed from Singapore and you think you can enter again by getting a new country's passport... think again. If you commit a crime and your fingerprints are found at the scene, be prepared to be kept in the country.
Apr 17, 2016, 8:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ TPP, UA 1K MM
Posts: 518
Fingerprinting for visitors to Singapore begins on 20th April at all land/sea/air immigration entry points. The first phase is to take place at Woodlands and Tuas; date for implementation at Changi has not been specified by ICA.
Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...tml?cid=TWTCNA
Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...tml?cid=TWTCNA
Last edited by crazycrab955; Apr 17, 2016 at 8:30 pm Reason: Clarity/typo
Apr 18, 2016, 8:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Another article stating same. Changi not ready yet it seems.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thumbprint...032437912.html
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thumbprint...032437912.html
May 2, 2016, 11:14 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 1
My own experience being,
Arrival Changi Terminal 1 - 26 April 2016 - no fingerprints taken
Departure cruise centre harbour front - 28 April - fingerprints taken
Arrival cruise centre harbour front - 28 April - fingerprints taken
Departure Changi Terminal 1 - 2 May - no fingerprints taken
Seems that they're starting at the seaport before the airport first, I had a chat with one of the immigration officers who said they're rolling it out in terminal 2 before the other terminals.
Arrival Changi Terminal 1 - 26 April 2016 - no fingerprints taken
Departure cruise centre harbour front - 28 April - fingerprints taken
Arrival cruise centre harbour front - 28 April - fingerprints taken
Departure Changi Terminal 1 - 2 May - no fingerprints taken
Seems that they're starting at the seaport before the airport first, I had a chat with one of the immigration officers who said they're rolling it out in terminal 2 before the other terminals.