The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority is setting up a
centralised hub containing biometric data such as facial images and
fingerprints of all Singaporeans, Permanent Residents as well as
foreigners staying here.
This it says is to ensure it continues to provide speedy
immigration clearance amid rising human traffic at clearing
points.
ICA said it cleared about 150 million people last year, 7
million more than the figures in 2007.
It currently makes use of about five different databases to
establish the identity of just one person.
The upcoming Biohub will provide one-stop biometrics matching
services, which ICA says will improve efficiency.
ICA will also launch a new initiative that will allow foreigners
to submit their applications to become permanent residents
online.
The first phase of the electronic Permanent Resident System or
e-PR will be launched in July this year.
A similar system will also be rolled out for people applying to
become Singapore citizens.
The electronic Singapore Citizenship application or e-SC will be
ready by the third quarter of this year.
By submitting their particulars online, applicants will be able
to reduce the number of trips they have to make to the ICA
headquarters in Kallang - saving time.
Currently, they have to make at least two trips there to
complete the paperwork.
These online capabilities will cut the number of trips to just
one.
ICA also says that it now clears inbound cargos and vehicles at
a faster rate.
It's now using the Integrated Cargo Inspection System or ICIS
that allows it to clear more than 200 vehicles per hour.
The drivers will just have to move underneath a gantry-like
structure and their vehicles will be scanned immediately.
With the previous, more manual system, it took about half an
hour to complete inspecting one vehicle.
ICIS is already being used at the Pasir Panjang and Jurong
Scanning Stations as well as the Changi Airfreight Centre.
--938Live