Trial to capture fingerprints of all arriving persons to Singapore from April

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore will conduct a trial, from April, at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to capture the fingerprints of all arriving persons to further improve immigration clearance and border security, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Teo, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs said: "The fingerprints are used to verify the traveller’s identity before he is allowed entry to Singapore, and will facilitate automated self-clearance during his departure from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal."

"If the trial is successful, ICA will implement this system progressively at other checkpoints," he said during the Ministry of Home Affairs Committee of Supply Debate 2015 in Parliament on Friday.

Teo said this would make it easier and facilitate departure for visitors and Singaporeans and "also help us save on manpower."