The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued an advisory warning of very heavy traffic at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during the upcoming National Day long weekend. From August 7 to August 10, 2026, travellers crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border should prepare for significant delays and plan their journeys well in advance. The authority suggests that motorists consider travelling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings, to avoid the most intense congestion periods.
This warning follows a period of record-breaking travel volume at Singapore’s land borders. Between May 26 and June 28, 2026, over 18 million travellers passed through the two checkpoints. On June 19 alone, more than 598,000 people cleared immigration in a single day, setting a new record that surpassed the previous high of 589,000 recorded in December 2025. During these peak times, car travellers have faced waiting times of up to three hours, largely due to traffic tailbacks extending from the Malaysian side of the border.
In addition to high holiday volume, the ICA noted that security checks have been stepped up at all checkpoints since February 28, 2026. This measure is a response to the heightened global security environment and recent developments in the Middle East. While these checks are necessary for safety, they contribute to longer processing times for those entering or leaving the country.
To help manage the flow, the ICA is encouraging travellers to utilize digital clearance options, such as QR codes generated via the MyICA mobile app. The agency has also implemented a New Clearance Concept, which includes facial recognition technology for motorcyclists and pillion riders. According to the ICA, these initiatives have increased clearance throughput by more than 35 percent during departure peak periods, allowing thousands more travellers to pass through each hour compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Motorists are reminded to observe lane discipline and comply with all traffic rules. The ICA has stated it will take firm action against those who do not follow instructions or engage in dangerous road behaviour, such as queue cutting. During the recent holiday period, 52 motorists were caught for such offences and faced consequences ranging from being directed to re-queue at the back of the line to being referred to the Traffic Police for further investigation.