40% more foreign visitors denied entry into Singapore in 2025 amid tightened security checks
Robots patrol alongside police officers at Changi Airport in Singapore. Photo courtesy of Singapore Police Force
Some 45,700 foreign travelers were denied entry into Singapore in 2025, a 38.3% increase from the previous year, following tighter border security measures, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said Monday.
They were turned away for posing immigration risks, such as “the possibility of overstaying or working illegally, or security concerns, including potential criminal activity,” the authority said as quoted by Channel News Asia.
Last year Singaporean authorities strengthened border control to better identify higher-risk travelers, vehicles and cargo for enhanced checks at checkpoints.
The introduction of passport-free clearance at major checkpoints also reduced reliance on manual counter processing, allowing immigration officers to be reassigned to other duties such as traveler profiling and investigative interviewing, The Straits Times reported.
As a result, more foreign visitors were subjected to additional screening in 2025, the ICA said.
Widely recognized for its low crime levels and strong public safety standards, Singapore remains a popular destination for international travelers.
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