Electronic arrival card provides convenience to foreigners visiting Singapore

JOHOR BAHRU: The introduction of the new electronic arrival card by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has received mixed reactions from residents here.

Raja Sheril Ameera Raja Nahar Sihim, 25, who frequently travels to Singapore said the new system could help shorten the clearance process at the immigration counters.

"It can reduce paper usage and save time. We don't have to waste time to fill up the white cards.”

"It is easier when everything is made online. It should have been implemented since long ago," she said when met here.

The electronic arrival card which will replace the paper-based disembarkation/ embarkation card that foreign visitors are currently required to submit on arrival is currently being implemented on a three-month trial basis from Oct 4.

With the new system, travellers can submit their personal information and trip details through the ICA website or via a mobile application before arriving in Singapore.

Travellers will then only need to produce their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival.

For Maslinda Jaafar, 36, with the implementation of the new system, travellers no longer needed to worry about misplacing or losing the current paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card.

However, she said the Singaporean authorities should also take into account travellers who were not IT-savvy like senior citizens.

K. Jegan, 22, who works at a factory in Singapore said he was not aware of the trial implementation of the electronic card system.