The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) advised travelers to plan their journeys in advance, travel during off-peak hours such as early mornings or late evenings, and check live traffic conditions before heading to either checkpoint, The Straits Times reported.
The warning comes after more than 18 million travelers crossed the two land checkpoints during the Hari Raya Haji and Vesak Day long weekends as well as the June school holidays between May 26 and June 28.
On June 19 alone, more than 598,000 travelers cleared immigration through the checkpoints, setting a new daily record and surpassing the previous high of 589,000 recorded on Dec. 19, 2025.
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Tourists pose for photographs at Merlion Park in Singapore, Jan. 27, 2023. Photo by Reuters |
ICA said motorists traveling during peak periods previously faced waiting times of up to three hours due to traffic congestion extending from the Malaysian side of the border, Channel News Asia reported.
To speed up immigration clearance, ICA encouraged travelers to use QR codes generated through the MyICA mobile app.
Motorcycle riders and passengers can also use facial recognition under ICA’s New Clearance Concept, which has increased departure clearance capacity by more than 35%, or about 7,600 additional travelers per hour, compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
ICA also reminded motorists to follow traffic rules, cooperate with officers and avoid cutting queues, warning that offenders will be required to make a U-turn and rejoin the line from the back.