What QR Code Clearance Is
QR code clearance allows travellers entering and departing Singapore via land checkpoints to present a QR code — generated on a mobile phone — instead of a physical passport during immigration processing.
The QR code is generated through the MyICA mobile app (free, available on iOS App Store and Google Play). It can be used at car, motorcycle, lorry, and bus lanes at both Woodlands Checkpoint and Tuas Second Link.
The system falls under ICA’s New Clearance Concept (NCC) — a broader initiative to reduce reliance on physical documents at checkpoints. QR code clearance is the land checkpoint implementation; biometric token-less clearance operates separately at air and sea checkpoints.
Eligibility
QR code clearance is available to:
- Singapore Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- Long-Term Pass Holders (FIN Holders)
- Foreign visitors (on return trips — not first entry)
Two categories are not eligible:
- First-time foreign visitors entering Singapore — the passport must be presented on the first entry. QR code clearance becomes available on all subsequent trips.
- Travellers re-entering on a different passport from their last visit — the new passport must be presented first before that document becomes eligible for QR clearance.
Use is optional. Travellers who prefer to present a passport may continue to do so.
How to Set Up
Requirements before generating a QR code:
- A mobile phone with the MyICA mobile app installed (App Store · Google Play)
- A valid passport, or Singpass login (for Singapore Citizens, PRs, and Long-Term Pass Holders)
Passport details can be added to the app in three ways:
- Retrieved automatically via Singpass
- Scanned using the phone’s camera
- Entered manually
Once a profile is created, a QR code is generated within the app. The code is valid for multiple trips and does not need to be regenerated before each crossing, unless the underlying passport has expired or been renewed.
Group QR Codes
The MyICA app supports group QR codes covering up to 10 persons on a single code.
Rules for group codes:
- All travellers listed in the group QR code must be travelling together in the same vehicle when that code is used.
- If not all members are travelling, a new group QR code must be generated with only the profiles of those actually crossing.
- Multiple group codes with different members can be stored in the app simultaneously.
- Members can be added or removed, and a new code regenerated, even in offline mode.
QR Code Validity and Expiry
A QR code is tied to the passport(s) in the associated profile.
- If the passport is still valid, QR code validity is automatically extended when a new code is generated via the app.
- If the passport has expired or been renewed, the profile must be updated with the new passport details before a new QR code can be generated.
- Travellers who originally created their profile via Singpass must recreate the profile through Singpass to auto-populate the new passport details.
- Travellers who created their profile by scanning the passport or entering details manually only need to edit the existing profile with the new passport details.
ICA advises checking QR code expiry dates before arriving at the checkpoint.
At the Checkpoint
Travellers present the QR code displayed on their phone screen at the immigration lane instead of a physical passport. The process applies at:
- Car lanes
- Motorcycle lanes
- Lorry lanes
- Bus lanes
- Bus passenger halls (including Special Assistance Lanes for wheelchair users)
For travellers using automated immigration lanes (AEL), biometric identifiers must have been enrolled with ICA or MOM separately. QR code alone is not sufficient for automated lane processing without prior biometric enrolment.
If the QR Code Does Not Work
QR code errors during clearance typically result from incorrect passport information entered during profile setup. ICA recommends verifying profile accuracy in the app before travel.
If a QR code fails at the checkpoint, the ICA officer will request the traveller’s passport for standard clearance.
Scale of Adoption
Since the system’s full rollout in January 2025:
- Over 50.3 million travellers cleared immigration via QR codes between March 2024 and March 2025.
- More than 30 million of those were car zone users, representing approximately 70% of vehicular traffic.
- During the March 2025 school holiday period, QR clearance processed approximately 2,000 additional travellers per hour compared to the same period in 2024 — roughly a 10% increase in throughput.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QR code clearance mandatory?
No. Travellers may continue to present their passports. QR code clearance is an optional alternative.
Does a foreign visitor need to use a passport on their first entry?
Yes. The first entry to Singapore must use a physical passport. QR code clearance is available from the second trip onwards.
Can the QR code be used at air or sea checkpoints?
No. QR code clearance applies to land checkpoints only — Woodlands and Tuas. Air and sea checkpoints operate a separate biometric clearance system under the NCC.
What if a traveller has renewed their passport?
The old QR code will no longer be valid. The profile in the MyICA app must be updated with the new passport details, and a new QR code generated before the next crossing.
Can travellers in a shared vehicle use individual QR codes?
Yes. Each traveller can present their own individual QR code, or all can be covered under a group QR code. Both methods are valid.
Does this replace the need to carry a passport?
No. A valid passport is still required for overseas travel. QR code clearance applies only to the Singapore immigration clearance process. The passport itself must remain valid.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Use of QR Code for Immigration Clearance · ICA FAQ — QR Code Clearance