Over 33,000 foreigners denied entry into Singapore in 2024

Most of these individuals were turned away due to immigration or security risks, including the potential for overstaying, working illegally, or committing crimes, according to a report by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

More than 230 million travelers passed through Singapore's checkpoints in 2024, marking a nearly 20% increase from the previous year, The Straits Times reported.

The authority attributed the surge in visitors primarily to an increase in traffic at land checkpoints, which accounted for over 75% of all arrivals.

Since May 2023, all foreign travelers arriving in Singapore, regardless of nationality, have been able to use automated lanes at Changi Airport for immigration clearance. The system utilizes iris and facial biometrics, eliminating the need for passport presentation.

Singapore may be the first country in the world to allow all foreign travelers, including first-time visitors, to use automated lanes without prior registration, according to Channel News Asia.

By 2026, authorities plan to install approximately 800 such lanes across all checkpoints.

Known for its low crime rates and strict laws, Singapore ranked eighth among the world's 10 safest cities for travelers in 2025, according to North American-based travel insurance company Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.