Indian travellers heading to Singapore will now be screened even before they reach Changi’s immigration counters. From 30 January the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has begun issuing a No-Boarding Directive (NBD) to airlines if passenger data submitted through Advance Passenger Information or the SG Arrival Card reveals visa issues, passport validity problems or security red flags. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Under the new system, airline staff must deny boarding to any passenger named in an NBD, or face penalties. Additional on-the-spot checks—such as proof that the SG Arrival Card was filed—can also be ordered. Until now, most discrepancies were caught only after landing, often resulting in lengthy secondary inspections or costly deportations.
![Singapore activates ‘No-Boarding Directive’, pushing entry checks upstream for Indian flyers]()
Why it matters: Singapore is India’s second-largest short-haul business destination after Dubai. The upstream filter could reduce queues at immigration but introduces new failure points at Indian airports. Travel managers will need to ensure that staff upload SG Arrival Cards correctly and carry passports with at least six months’ validity.
If you’re unsure about eligibility or worried about missing documentation, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers a simple pre-departure check and application service. Their team can review passport validity, file the SG Arrival Card on your behalf and flag any visa mismatches before you reach the airport—reducing the risk of being caught by an NBD.
Travellers denied boarding can appeal directly to ICA but must obtain written clearance before rebooking. Airlines warn that last-minute denials could spike during the upcoming school-holiday rush, so they are beefing up check-in desk staffing and advisory signage.
Under the new system, airline staff must deny boarding to any passenger named in an NBD, or face penalties. Additional on-the-spot checks—such as proof that the SG Arrival Card was filed—can also be ordered. Until now, most discrepancies were caught only after landing, often resulting in lengthy secondary inspections or costly deportations.
Why it matters: Singapore is India’s second-largest short-haul business destination after Dubai. The upstream filter could reduce queues at immigration but introduces new failure points at Indian airports. Travel managers will need to ensure that staff upload SG Arrival Cards correctly and carry passports with at least six months’ validity.
If you’re unsure about eligibility or worried about missing documentation, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers a simple pre-departure check and application service. Their team can review passport validity, file the SG Arrival Card on your behalf and flag any visa mismatches before you reach the airport—reducing the risk of being caught by an NBD.
Travellers denied boarding can appeal directly to ICA but must obtain written clearance before rebooking. Airlines warn that last-minute denials could spike during the upcoming school-holiday rush, so they are beefing up check-in desk staffing and advisory signage.
