ICA expects heavy traffic at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints over the Deepavali long weekend, from Friday, 6 November to Monday, 9 November 2026. Its advisory, dated 1 November, follows a record September, when car travellers leaving at peak hours waited up to three hours for immigration clearance.
Those waits came from traffic tailbacks on the Malaysian side.
September set a new single-day record
More than 6.1 million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas during the September school holidays, from 4 to 14 September. The busiest day was 4 September, with more than 599,000 travellers clearing the land checkpoints. That beat the previous peak of more than 598,000 crossings on 19 June 2026.
Security checks at all checkpoints have also been stepped up since 28 February 2026, in view of the global security situation and particularly developments in the Middle East. ICA has warned travellers to expect longer waits at peak periods.
When to go and which lanes help
ICA wants travellers to go at non-peak hours, such as early mornings and late evenings, and to look up the traffic before setting out. Updates run on LTA’s OneMotoring, the EMAS signs along the BKE and AYE, ICA’s Facebook and X accounts, and SPH and Mediacorp radio.
QR codes from the MyICA app are strongly encouraged. QR clearance and facial recognition for motorcyclists and pillion riders have raised throughput by more than 35 per cent at departure peaks, or 7,600 more travellers an hour than in 2019.
Bus passengers in wheelchairs, and family groups of up to four with children below six, can use QR codes at the Special Assistance Lanes.
Motorists should expect roadworks on the approaches. The works near Woodlands Checkpoint are part of its redevelopment, while those at the Tuas departure car zone support the Automated Passenger Clearance System.
Documents to sort before the trip
- Passports need at least six months of validity left.
- Short-term visitors, including holders of in-principle approval for a long-term pass, must submit the SG Arrival Card through the MyICA app within three days before arrival. The enhanced card has run since 30 September, and the app must be updated to its latest version first.
- Travellers entering by foreign-registered car need a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) before the SG Arrival Card can be completed.
- Drivers without a valid Autopass card, VEP approval email from LTA or valid insurance are turned back.
- From 2 November 2026, foreign-registered vehicles with outstanding traffic, parking or vehicular emissions fines from Singapore cannot apply for or renew a VEP, and are denied entry.
- Permanent residents with a renewed passport should update the new details in their Re-Entry Permit through the MyICA app.
Entry rules sit on ICA’s SG Arrival Card guide.
Queue cutters sent to the back
Motorists caught cutting queues on the roads into the checkpoints are made to U-turn and rejoin from the back. During the September holidays, 27 motorists were caught for traffic offences and dangerous driving. Action against them included referral to the Traffic Police for investigation and prosecution, U-turns to the back of the queue and bans from entering Singapore.
