Singapore now denies boarding to travelers who fail pre-departure immigration checks

The ICA can issue no-boarding directives to airlines before flights depart for Singapore

Singapore can now deny boarding to travelers before they depart for the country. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced the measure on November 28, 2025, and it came into effect on January 30, 2026.

Under the new system, the ICA uses advance passenger information, including flight manifests, the digital SG Arrival Card (SGAC), and other data sources, to assess travelers before departure.

If checks indicate that a passenger is inadmissible or does not meet entry requirements, the ICA issues a No-Boarding Directive (NBD) directly to the airline, which must then refuse boarding.

The system currently applies to airlines operating flights into Changi and Seletar airports.

Who may receive a no-boarding directive?

Travelers may be denied boarding in several situations, including:

• Missing a required visa
• Holding a travel document with less than six months' validity
• Failing to submit the SG Arrival Card or completing it incorrectly
• Having immigration or security records that classify them as inadmissible or undesirable

In some cases, the ICA may also instruct airlines to carry out additional checks at check-in before allowing a passenger or crew member to board.

Why Singapore introduced pre-departure checks

Previously, travelers who did not meet Singapore's entry requirements were typically stopped upon arrival at immigration counters. The new system aims to prevent potential threats from reaching Singapore by stopping their travel at the point of departure.

The shift reflects a broader trend in border controls, which increasingly rely on data analytics to manage sustained levels of international air traffic.