Travellers between Singapore and Malaysia face the prospect of heavy congestion and extended waits at the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints from 4th–14th September, coinciding with the September school holidays.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issued a travel advisory on Monday, 31st August, urging the public to plan their journeys carefully. Travellers were encouraged to set off during non-peak hours, such as early mornings and late evenings, and to check the latest traffic conditions at the land checkpoints before departing.
Motorists and passengers can use the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring website to check traffic conditions, including live camera views of the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.
Longer waiting times are expected during peak periods. ICA has maintained tighter security checks at all checkpoints since 28th February in response to the “heightened global security environment, particularly recent developments in the Middle East”.
To speed up processing, ICA strongly encouraged travellers to use QR codes generated through the MyICA mobile app, which allow faster and more seamless immigration clearance. The authority said measures including QR code clearance and facial recognition for motorcyclists and pillion riders had increased clearance throughput by more than 35% during peak departure periods. This equates to an additional 7,600 travellers per hour compared with pre-Covid-19 levels in 2019.
ICA also announced earlier in August that some car lanes at Tuas Checkpoint would close from September as work begins on a new automated border clearance system.
“While driving on roads leading to and within the land checkpoints, motorists are to cooperate with ICA officers, observe lane discipline, and comply with traffic rules,” said ICA. “Queue cutting disrupts traffic flow and delays other travellers. Those caught queue cutting will be directed to make a U-turn and rejoin the queue from the back.”
The authority said it would take firm action against anyone who fails to follow officers’ instructions or commits traffic offences at the checkpoints.
Recent experience underlines the scale of demand. During the National Day weekend from 7th–10th August, more than 2.1 million travellers crossed the two checkpoints, with daily volumes peaking at over 593,000 on 7th August. Car travellers leaving Singapore during peak hours faced waits of up to three hours for immigration clearance because of traffic tailbacks from Malaysia.
During the same period, 13 motorists were caught for traffic-related offences and dangerous road behaviour at Woodlands Checkpoint. Enforcement action included directing 11 vehicles to make a U-turn and rejoin the queue from the rear.
Two drivers of foreign-registered vehicles were issued entry bans into Singapore, while 10 motorists were referred to the Traffic Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Singapore’s land borders with Malaysia are among the busiest in the world, with high volumes typical during school holiday periods as families travel for short breaks and day trips. The combination of heightened security measures and seasonal demand means delays remain likely despite technological improvements to clearance processes.
The advisory covers the full school holiday period from 4th–14th September. ICA continues to monitor traveller volumes closely and will update the public through its usual channels if conditions change significantly.
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