How to get fast-track passport clearance at Singapore's Changi Airport
By Chris Chamberlin, October 28 2015
Australian frequent travellers can now skip any immigration queues at Singapore’s Changi Airport in favour of strolling through the automated passport control lanes ordinarily reserved for Singapore locals.
After a brief fee-free registration process, you’ll have access to the eIACS (enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System) channel for two years from the date of approval, covering an unlimited number of trips to the Lion City.
Singapore eIACS fast track: what you’ll need
Before you can register you’ll need to satisfy three basic requirements:
- Must have entered and exited Singapore (not simply transited) at least three times in the previous 12 months using the same passport
- Provide a spare passport-style photograph, such as available from Australia Post
- Your passport is valid for at least six more months with at least one completely blank passport page
If you’re covered, look for the ‘eIACS Enrolment Centre’ signage and office in Changi’s Terminal 3 on weekdays between 8am and 5pm, located to your right immediately after clearing outbound passport control…
… or if flying through another terminal in Singapore – such as Terminal 1 with Qantas, Emirates or British Airways – take the free Skytrain to Terminal 3 if you’ve allowed enough time.
Singapore eIACS fast track: registration
Once inside the office you’ll need to complete the same multi-page application form as you would for a Singapore visa, including your address history for the past five years and your primary reason for visiting Singapore, and supply thumb prints electronically (without ink).
The process normally takes around 20 minutes per person but on our visit stretched to 45, so make this your first stop at Changi before heading to the lounge.
Travellers enrolled in the scheme don’t need to complete arrival or departure cards for Singapore, and after having their passport endorsed (as below) won’t receive any further Singapore stamps at the border.
The only time you’ll complete a card and join the standard queue for foreigners is if your visit to Singapore will last between 31 and 90 days – as normally allowed to Australian travellers under the Visa Waiver Program – as entering via eIACS comes with a 30-day limit per visit.
Singapore eIACS fast track: clearing passport control
At passport control, keep your eyes peeled for ‘eIACS’ or ‘Singapore residents’: often on the left of the manned queues.
As you would with SmartGate in Australia, simply slide your passport photo page into the eIACS reader, and when prompted, place your right thumb on the fingerprint scanner – making sure to press down firmly on the ball of the thumb, rather than the tip.
If it’s a match, you’ll be straight through to baggage claim or on your way to the departure lounge.
Also read: How frequent flyers can get fast-lane access in Hong Kong
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Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller, and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 40
Seems hardly worth it having to get photos done and enrol for it. Ive never found the immigration queues at SIN to be too bad anyway.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2494
I've always said that myself, until a few trips in the past year when I've hit a BIG queue and faced a wait of 20+ minutes – which I'd previously have said was unheard of for Changi, as it has this rep of being among the fastest major airport to exit. But it does seem to be the luck of the draw, so I'm probably going to sign up for this on my next visit to Singapore just in case...
21 Feb 2015
Total posts 74
The immigration queues are one thing - it's the taxi rank queues that have me scratching my head.
If you want a chrysler or mercedes benz (for which you pay a premium) - you are spoilt for choice.But if you want a regular true blue taxi - you're out of luck.
I've been told it's because most of the regular taxi drivers are at the casino gambling. I'm not sure how true that is... but it's the rumour-du-jour making the rounds at the airport.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3033
Most of the taxi drivers in Singapore are Singaporeans. The last I heard, the govt discriminates access to the casinos for Singaporeans and PRs by imposing a charge/tax for entry - and people in the UK complain about a nanny state with a proposed Sugar Tax!
Its highly unlikely they're gambling, unless it's some underground joint.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 330
You should try Heathrow if you truly want to see a long queue. My longest wait was 1h30m at T5
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2223
Apply for it anyway. I once had to wait 20+ minutes at T2 and I was traumatised.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1446
This is for good.
Qantas
13 Jun 2015
Total posts 143
Good choice here by Singapore Airport!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 217
Just wondering if Singapore passport holders also have reciprocal access in Australian airports?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 714
Yeh they can already use our Smartgate system
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
Pity the requirement for visits, extra forms (and extra photo ID) - potentially for a card??? makes it harder.
More like HK system - even that is just a sticker on passport.
25 Sep 2015
Total posts 1
Can any one confirm if Austarlian passport holders need to complte a Form 14? The on-line advice appears to suggest only Malaysian and HKG passport holders need to do that.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
Yes you do...
Qantas
02 Sep 2015
Total posts 38
Most QF flights arrive at terminal 1 and around midnight. Taking a shuttle to terminal 3 to fill out forms is not worth it. Imergration at Singapore is so fast its not needed. I travel to Singapore 4 times a year and will not be signing up for the service.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jan 2015
Total posts 2
I went downtown today (the Kallang Rd office) to register. A word to the wise to speed things up:
have the application form already completed
have a passport photo and photo copy of your passport photo/ info page.
It took just on two hours and your passport is stamped (no additional cards) and fingerprints taken for access through the gates.
Take a book or go for a walk for a coffee.
Very easy really and when the queues are large, even whilst holding an APEC card, this will make life easier.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
Hey Ian - are you able to provide more details as to the location of the Kallang Rd office. My times going through Singapore the office will not be open at the airport so this looks like a great option
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
This news has made my day... I travel to Singapore about 2 times a month. The imigration lines can be very hit and miss. Something there is no wait, but more and more there is a goot 20+ minute wait. I guess it all depends on what time / day you arrive. Will be in Singapore next week so am going to give this a go. (also my passport is running short of pages so this will make it last a bit longer)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
of course I did mean "a GOOD 20+ minute wait"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Apr 2011
Total posts 107
Earlier this year we landed at Terminal 2 late afternoon & the Immigration arrivals hall was packed & seemed relatively hot by the airport's standards. Accordingly, as we were overnighting in Singapore & only had carry-on, we caught the Skytrain to Terminal 3 where there were only 3 people waiting to be processed. I'm not sure how much time we saved but it was far more relaxing than standing around for what looked to be 30+ minutes in over-warm conditions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jan 2015
Total posts 2
Hi Anthony, the office is at 10 Kallang Road Level 4. It's the ICA Building and its next to the Lavendar MRT station. Open 8-5 weekdays, 8-1 on Saturday
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
Fantastic - thanks Ian
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 71
I have experienced some long queues at Changi Airport, that they don't have fast track counters for Business and First class passengers came as a huge surprise to me , so in this respect they are behind a lot of international airports. Why can't they just allow Autralian passport holders to use the smart gate instead of this silly process of registering.
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 48
Apparently there is another 'requirement' ... is that one must have stayed in Singapore for a minimum of 15 days total over the past three months. I tried applying today and was told that this rule was never announced and that they will need to update their website.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2568
That wasn't the case when we went through last month? In my personal case I'd spent less than 24 hours in Singapore in the last 3 months (other visits were before then) and all was approved...
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 71
Chris
Is Aus Business traveller able to Lobby the Changi Airports Authority and possibly Singapore Airlines to have at least 1 or 2 dedicated Fast track lanes for First and Business Class arrivals into Singapore ? It is astounding that this does not exist and that they call themselves the most efficient airport in the world. I am sure all business travellers from Australia and Indeed worldwide will appreciate it
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2568
Hi Roger, it's a great idea but one that's beyond our brief as frequent travellers now have access to the fast track lanes for locals as above, whether flying first class or economy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Mar 2013
Total posts 18
After some recent horrendous experiences waiting for Singapore immigration, I signed up for eIACS at Changi T3 this afternoon. From swinging the eIACS office door open to leaving with the stamp in my passport took exactly 22 minutes - which is much less than the 1 to 1.5 hours recently experienced at Changi T2.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
I did mine last week at Immigration and Customs building at 10 Kallang Road Level 4. Was also a very simple process. Had to stand in a queue to then get a queue number. That was about 10 minutes. My number was called almost straight away... process from there took about 20 minutes and I now can use the eGates for 5 years!! I travel to Singapore almost every 2 week so this is going to be a HUGE time saver. Thank you to ABT for this article and also to Ian who provided me with the address (I could not do it at the airport as my flight leaves at 1120pm)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
also not mentioned in the article or on the websites you need to take a copy of your passport as well
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2568
Interesting, we weren't asked for a copy when applying at Changi...
29 May 2015
Total posts 4
For those finding this page by google, here is a Singapore Government site link that outlines the current situation and includes a list of places where you can register.
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