eGov Programmes

Objectives Increase the efficiency of citizens clearing immigration.

Fast facts
	Launch date	1997		Clearance time	8 seconds

Introduction:

Eight seconds – that is the average time taken for immigration clearance at the borders using the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority's Enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS). eIACS enables more than 3 million Singapore Citizens to clear immigration at the checkpoints via automated gates using machine-readable passports.

Background:

In 1997, Singapore first introduced the Immigration Automated Clearance System (IACS) using smart tokens and automated gates. The new system, which significantly increases the number of travellers who can be cleared by automated means, leverages on the same tokens and automatically enrolls users who are already registered with IACS.

Programme Details:

By channelling a large number of registered travellers to the automated lanes, immigration officers at the manual counters can focus their immigration checks on "high-risk" travellers. At the same time, the use of document forgery detection devices and fingerprint matching engines ensure that eIACS provides a secure automated immigration clearance.