Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints over Deepavali long weekend, as VEP rule on unpaid fines kicks in

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects heavy traffic and longer waiting times at the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints over the Deepavali long weekend, from Friday 6 November to Monday 9 November 2026. ICA issued the travel advisory on Sunday, 1 November, The Straits Times and CNA reported. Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November this year, with Monday 9 November a public holiday.

ICA urged travellers to plan their journeys ahead, check the traffic situation at both checkpoints before setting off, and consider travelling during non-peak hours. It said waits may be longer during peak periods because security checks at all checkpoints have been stepped up since 28 February in view of the heightened global security environment.

Travellers are strongly encouraged to clear immigration using QR codes generated in the MyICA mobile app. According to CNA, ICA said QR code clearance and facial recognition for motorcyclists and pillion riders have raised clearance throughput by more than 35 per cent during departure peaks, equivalent to about 7,600 more travellers an hour than in 2019. Drivers of foreign-registered cars entering Singapore must have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) before they submit their SG Arrival Card, and will not be able to complete the submission without one.

ICA also reminded motorists to cooperate with its officers, keep to their lanes and obey traffic rules on roads leading to and inside the checkpoints. Drivers caught queue cutting will be made to U-turn and rejoin the queue from the back, and ICA said it will take firm action against those who ignore officers’ instructions or commit traffic offences.

The advisory follows record crossings during the September school holidays. From 4 to 14 September, more than 6.1 million travellers used the two land checkpoints, peaking at more than 599,000 on 4 September, a new single-day high that beat the previous record of over 598,000 on 19 June 2026. Car travellers leaving at peak times waited up to three hours for immigration clearance because of tailbacks from Malaysia, and 27 motorists were caught for traffic offences and dangerous behaviour over that period.

The long weekend also coincides with a tighter VEP rule that starts today. The Singapore Police Force announced on 8 October that from 2 November 2026, foreign-registered vehicles with outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offences committed in Singapore cannot apply for or renew a VEP with the Land Transport Authority. All foreign-registered vehicles need a valid VEP to enter Singapore, so the rule applies to commercial vehicles as well as cars.

For fleet operators, the advisory is a cue to plan cross-border deliveries, coach trips and driver rosters around the 6 to 9 November peak, and for companies running Malaysian-registered vehicles into Singapore to check for unpaid summonses at www.axs.com.sg before permits fall due.

Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority travel advisory, 1 November 2026, via The Straits Times and CNA; Singapore Police Force news release, 8 October 2026 — Read the original