Smart Gate in Singapore for Australians

[burnt]

I read some earlier posts about this being available to Aussies now and thought an update would be appropriate as I have just done the registration in Singapore yesterday.

The original info provided stated that 3 arrivals into Singapore were required in the last 12 months to be able to register, this is incorrect as I first tried to register with 3 arrivals (after my third arrival) but after going to the office in the city, was told that 3 arrivals and 3 departures were required, I dont know why they just did not say you need four arrivals?

The validity is now for 5 years or up until 6 months prior to the expiry of your passport, whole process took about 30 minutes with thumb printing etc and form to fill in. Easy spot to get to in city as the building is right outside the Lavendar MRT, go to 4th floor.

I obtained my additional entry/exit with a quick run over the causeway to JB (Malaysia)

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I read some earlier posts about this being available to Aussies now and thought an update would be appropriate as I have just done the registration in Singapore yesterday.

The original info provided stated that 3 arrivals into Singapore were required in the last 12 months to be able to register, this is incorrect as I first tried to register with 3 arrivals (after my third arrival) but after going to the office in the city, was told that 3 arrivals and 3 departures were required, I dont know why they just did not say you need four arrivals?

The validity is now for 5 years or up until 6 months prior to the expiry of your passport, whole process took about 30 minutes with thumb printing etc and form to fill in. Easy spot to get to in city as the building is right outside the Lavendar MRT, go to 4th floor.

I obtained my additional entry/exit with a quick run over the causeway to JB (Malaysia)

Thanks for the update burnt. I've been tossing up whether to sign up to it.

Have never seen a serious queue in SIN (but I know they happen) and kind of enjoy getting a stamp every time, just for my own memory. So don't have a huge incentive. HKG on the other hand is more tempting since they already don't stamp your passport, and I have actually seen decent queues there. Last time I was there I totally missed the registration point on arrival! Not this time...

I just wish they'd make Australians automatically eligible, in the same way Singaporeans, Americans and Brits can use our smart gates without prior registration.

(Side note: I really should just give up on stamp collecting – it's clearly dying anyway)

 

[moa999]

At least five year validity makes the somewhere time consuming process more palatable

 

[Fiches Mouser]

At least five year validity makes the somewhere time consuming process more palatable

Definitely. I'm seriously considering it as I do find myself in SIN quite a few times each year.

 

[burnt]

At least five year validity makes the somewhere time consuming process more palatable

Sitting in the SIN lounge waiting for the 2350 to Syd, I understand that HK has some system to allow premium frequent flyers to register for their smart gate system, but have not followed it up yet, see what I can find and report back later.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Occasionally, queues in SIN can get to about 20 mins.

For HKG, basically, you just turn up to their office right after arrivals immigration, and they can do it up on the spot. They haven't listed out which airline is accepted, but I believe it'll work for all major airlines.

 

[moa999]

Occasionally, queues in SIN can get to about 20 mins.

For HKG, basically, you just turn up to their office right after arrivals immigration, and they can do it up on the spot. They haven't listed out which airline is accepted, but I believe it'll work for all major airlines.

Took me a few times to get it at HKG due to 10+ queues of people, mostly mainlanders, who seemed to be taking 5-10min each

 

[auriga]

I just wish they'd make Australians automatically eligible, in the same way Singaporeans, Americans and Brits can use our smart gates without prior registration.

Totally agree!

 

[Coathanger]

At least five year validity makes the somewhere time consuming process more palatable

Indeed. I registered in October shortly after it became available to Australians and thought the 2 year validity was a bit short.

I just wish they'd make Australians automatically eligible, in the same way Singaporeans, Americans and Brits can use our smart gates without prior registration.

The Smart Gate system in Singapore uses fingerprints for authentication. Unless that data is already stored in your ePassport it would be difficult to automatically register people, and I don't recall providing my fingerprints as part of the Australian passport application.

 

[Cynicor]

The process is simple, can be done airside departure immigration T3 at SIN. The gates are quick and simple, so even if there is no queue it's slightly faster still.

I convinced them to sign me up with only 10 months left on the passport because I'll be in and out at some awkward hours soon. No complaints

 

[Fiches Mouser]

The process is simple, can be done airside departure immigration T3 at SIN. The gates are quick and simple, so even if there is no queue it's slightly faster still.

I convinced them to sign me up with only 10 months left on the passport because I'll be in and out at some awkward hours soon. No complaints

That's good to know. I've slept on it, and decided I'm going to do it on Monday morning. The only issue is will only have three entries and two departures on this passport, but multiple entries on the previous passport. Hoping that's okay. If not I have to wait yet again until next time I'm here.

The Smart Gate system in Singapore uses fingerprints for authentication. Unless that data is already stored in your ePassport it would be difficult to automatically register people, and I don't recall providing my fingerprints as part of the Australian passport application.

I see! That makes sense. So fingerprints are used instead of facial recognition in SIN?

 

[PineappleSkip]

HKG scheme also uses fingerprints, taken when you apply. No set number of entries, just a QF SG card or better, and a lot of other airlines' cards. Details here
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/echannel_visitors.html

Cheers skip

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Enrolled yesterday morning at T3. Really easy. Took about 30 minutes, so lucky there was no one else around. Happy I have it – I'll probably keep stamp collecting, but if there's a huge queue at least I have the option now.

Next: HKG.

 

[Awesom Andy]

The process is simple, can be done airside departure immigration T3 at SIN. The gates are quick and simple, so even if there is no queue it's slightly faster still.

I convinced them to sign me up with only 10 months left on the passport because I'll be in and out at some awkward hours soon. No complaints

Be aware that they system can lag and/or crash during peak times. Not sure what kind of awkward hours you are looking at, but if it's not a popular hour for arrivals, there probably won't be an immigration queue.