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Starting from 2026, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore will implement the No-Boarding Directive (NBD) across all forms of inbound transportation. Under the directive, if ICA identifies a traveler as “high-risk” or “undesirable”, the carrier must not allow that passenger to board the aircraft, ferry, or international bus headed to Singapore. 

This marks a significant shift: passengers may be blocked at the point of departure, rather than being assessed only upon arrival at Changi Airport or other entry checkpoints.

Why Singapore is tightening its entry rules

The ICA has expanded its technological border-control framework, including:

• Passport-less clearance systems
• Biometric identification using iris and facial recognition
• Automated immigration lanes

According to ICA’s statistics, the number of travelers denied entry increased by about 43% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. This rise reflects increasing concerns related to misrepresented travel purposes, overstaying, illegal employment, and security risks.

The No-Boarding Directive is considered a proactive filtering tool — identifying and stopping problematic passengers before they board a vehicle bound for Singapore, reducing repatriation cost and operational burden on border officers.

Who may be blocked — ICA’s criteria

ICA may issue a “Do Not Board” status for passengers assessed as:

• Security risks
• Health or medical risks
• Individuals likely to violate immigration laws

In practice, common cases include:

• Travelers with immigration violations or previous overstay records
• Individuals with medical or epidemiological concerns
• Passengers whose declared travel purpose is unclear or inconsistent

Assessments are based on data profiles, risk evaluation, and immigration history, not solely on nationality or visa exemption.

Airlines cannot bypass the directive

If a traveler receives a Do Not Board status, carriers:

• Cannot independently authorize boarding
• Cannot request passengers to sign liability waivers
• Cannot “accept risk” on behalf of ICA

All decisions must be aligned with ICA’s instructions. Aviation guidance further notes that carriers may face penalties if they attempt to bypass the directive.

Possible implications for Vietnamese travelers

Vietnamese passport holders enjoy visa-free short-term entry, but visa exemption does not guarantee admission.

Certain situations may trigger additional scrutiny:

• One-way tickets with no onward plan
• Unclear or contradictory accommodation information
• Frequent short-term entries without a legitimate reason

In such cases, ground staff may request clarification or seek ICA verification before allowing boarding.