ICA to roll out no-boarding directives to ban ineligible individuals from Singapore-bound flights from 30 Jan 2026

The notices will be issued to airlines to stop identified prohibited or undesirable travellers, as well as travellers who do not meet entry requirements, from boarding flights to Singapore.

To enhance Singapore's border security, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be issuing No-Boarding Directive (NBD) notices to airline operators at Changi and Seletar Airports with effect from 30 January 2026.

The NBDs will apply to the following groups of ineligible individuals:

• Undesirable or prohibited immigrants
• Travellers who do not meet Singapore’s entry requirements, such as possessing a valid visa or a travel document with at least six months’ validity. 

Airlines that receive an NBD notice must not allow these travellers to board the flight bound for Singapore.

According to ICA, this initiative aims to strengthen Singapore's border security "by keeping potential threats from reaching our shores in the first place."

Operationalisation of NBD

Airline operators have been briefed, and ICA said it will continue working closely with them to ensure the NBD regime is implemented seamlessly. Using advance passenger information provided by the airlines, ICA will screen travellers ahead of their flights to Singapore.

Travellers found to be prohibited, undesirable, or otherwise ineligible for entry will be issued an NBD. When these individuals attempt to check in, airlines that have received the notice must refuse boarding.

In certain situations, airlines may be required to carry out extra checks – such as verifying visas or confirming SG Arrival Card submissions – before clearing passengers or crew to board.

Travellers who are denied boarding but still intend to visit Singapore must first seek approval from ICA through the ICA Feedback Channel, and only arrange for a new flight after receiving clearance.

Enforcement

In the event that airline operators that fail to comply with an NBD notice, they will be guilty of a strict liability offence, under the Immigration Act 1959, and will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $10,000.

If a pilot of the aircraft or an employee of the airline operator enables a person subjected to an NBD to board an aircraft (whether by act or omission), he or she will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or both.

READ MORE: ICA Singapore to block high-risk travellers from boarding in-bound flights/ships bound from 2026