People walk at Changi Airport in Singapore, March 5, 2020. Photo by Reuters
Around 41,800 foreigners were turned away at Singapore’s checkpoints in the first 11 months of 2025, 26% higher than the total for the whole of 2024 and 46% higher than in 2023.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said many of those refused entry this year were detected through new clearance systems, including automated lanes with counter-forgery detection and biometric screening that can uncover impersonation or the use of multiple identities, The Straits Times reported.
From January 2026, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and AirAsia will implement a no-boarding directive initiative, barring travelers from boarding their flights if they are deemed ineligible for entry into Singapore, Malay Mail reported.
More airlines will join the initiative from March 2026, ICA said.
Known for its low crime rates and high levels of safety, Singapore has become a popular destination for foreign tourists.
The city-state has recently stepped up security measures to safeguard its reputation.
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