Singapore's Frequent Traveller Program eases sign-up rules
By Chris C., September 27 2018
Australian passport holders will now find it even easier to qualify for Singapore’s Frequent Traveller Program, which provides fast-track clearance at passport control via automated lanes rather than manned desks, and removes the need to complete passenger cards on arrival and departure.
Under the new rules, Australians can register after visiting Singapore at least twice in the last 24 months: an average of just one visit per year.
Previously, only travellers who’d visited Singapore at least three times in the last 12 months – that’s once every four months – were able to enrol.
Singapore counts one ‘visit’ as an entry into the country (crossing through passport control), followed by a departure: which means merely transiting Changi Airport with a connecting flight doesn’t count, unless you cross the border into Singapore and return airside to complete one visit.
After two entries and departures, you can then enrol for the Frequent Traveller scheme at the airport, by visiting the “eIACS Enrolment Centre” at Changi Terminal 3, located in the airside departures area just after passport control, on the right-hand side.
Even if your flight isn’t departing from T3, as Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by free Skytrain, you’d be able to zip over to T3 to complete the formalities and go back across to the correct terminal in time for your flight.
You can also register for the eIACS at the head office of the country’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority in downtown Singapore, next to Lavender MRT station, which is a fast and painless process.
Read more: How your Australian passport can access fast-track Singapore immigration
To complete your enrolment, the Australian passport you present needs to be valid for more than six months, and you’ll need to hand over a completed application form [PDF, 250kB], which you can print at home and complete in advance to save time.
You no longer need to provide a passport-style photograph with your application, as was the case when the program first opened to Australians.
If your application is successful, your fingerprints will be scanned electronically, enabling you to pass through the automated barriers at Singapore passport control on your next visit, and you’ll receive a stamp in your passport confirming your enrolment in the program.
Once you’re all set up, you’ll be able to come and go from Singapore just like a local, provided you’re visiting for business, professional, tourism or social purposes, as opposed to working in Singapore which requires a valid work pass.
For more information, head to the Singapore Government's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.
Also read: Skip those London passport queues with UK Registered Traveller
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
21 Feb 2014
Total posts 10
Thanks, Chris!
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 12
It lasts for the lesser of the life of your passport and five years.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
18 Apr 2018
Total posts 3
Valid for 2 years and you simply reapply! Issued on the spot.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
These days, registration is valid for five years, although it was two years when the scheme first opened to Australians.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2012
Total posts 4
Interesting that the form asks for your race & religion?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Rather common in Singapore!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Standard in Singapore and Malaysia.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 64
I've been using it for a while. I find the fingerprint scanner entering the country can be hit and miss. If it fails to register your print you have to go to the nearby Immigration desk that takes both thumb prints then you enter SIN via a side door. I now go to Immigration line if there's a small queue. Departing mostly okay but there is always someone there checking boarding pass and passport anyways.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Oct 2017
Total posts 35
I noticed the other day on exit that they were pushing people (myself included) to the automated machines rather than the desks. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Singapore, is that a new process or something they’ve done for a while? Given they take thumb scans etc in entry it would make sense to automate the exit process with the data gleaned initially.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Departing is usually automated. It's Arrivals that can be slow.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 64
Probably trying to move to fully automated departures like Sydney international airport to cut costs. Just some supervisors around if needed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 12
I've used the thumb print for some years. The secret is not to press too hard on the scanner, otherwise it will be "hit and miss".
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
21 Mar 2018
Total posts 6
Thanks Chris for the useful information. I haven’t registered on the scheme but I am not sure whether you need to if you were only just exiting Singapore after a previous manual entry. I was diverted to the automatic gate on my last 2 exit from Singapore and it let me through
17 Jan 2018
Total posts 83
Take note the eICAS office has very limited operating hours. Check first before you make a trek over to T3.
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