📢 Singapore Tightens Entry: Over 41,800 Foreigners Denied Entry to Singapore in the First 11 Months of 2025
Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that from January to November 2025, approximately 41,800 foreigners were denied entry at Singapore's checkpoints. This number increased by nearly 26% compared to the whole of 2024 and is 46% higher than in 2023.
✈️ From 2026: Implementing the "No-Boarding Directive" (NBD) system
Starting from January 2026, Singapore will roll out a new mechanism whereby certain airlines will not allow passengers to board flights right from their point of departure if they are determined to be ineligible for entry into Singapore.
The airlines participating in the initial phase include:
👉 From March 2026, many other airlines will continue to join.
🔍 Why are more and more people being denied entry?
ICA stated that Singapore has implemented a new multi-layered security control model, including:
This system helps detect:
📌 Notable point:
Singapore does not deny entry just because of "suspicion" from afar. High-risk flagged cases will be stopped at the automated lane for further interview and investigation before a final decision is made.
🌍 Singapore is not the first to do this
Countries like the US (Secure Flight Program) and Australia (Movement Alert List) have long implemented similar models, directly coordinating with airlines to prevent high-risk passengers right from the source.
🧳 Notes for tourists & business travelers
From 2026 onwards:
🇸🇬 Singapore is continuing to upgrade its border control system towards faster – tighter – proactive from afar, especially in the context of a strong increase in international visitors post-pandemic.
Cre: ST
