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Travel is always popular. What has changed is how easy it is to travel internationally now. Travelers can organize last-minute trips just as simply as they would to any place within their own country. Among the places that remain highly desired by Indian travelers is Singapore, known as the ‘City in a Garden’. However, going to Singapore now involves an extra step before flying, which adds more security. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has started No-Boarding Directives (NBDs) from January 30, 2026. This rule is directed at airlines at Changi and Seletar Airports, stopping some travelers from getting on flights to Singapore even before they depart. The idea is straightforward: travelers who are not allowed to enter Singapore or who do not meet the basic entry criteria will be identified before they board, instead of after they land. This may lead to reduced crowds at immigration.
ICA currently depends a lot on advance information about travelers to evaluate risks ahead of arrival. This includes information provided through the SG Arrival Card (SGAC), flight lists from airlines, and more data sources. Until now, passengers flagged as high-risk were singled out for extra checks only after landing. Now, these checks will happen earlier. With advance information, ICA can order airlines to prevent boarding for certain travelers. "Starting in January 2026, ICA will send NBD notifications to airlines against travelers deemed prohibited or undesirable. Airlines that get an NBD notice cannot let these travelers board flights to Singapore. ICA might also issue NBDs against those who do not meet Singapore’s entry standards, like having a valid visa or a travel document that is at least six months valid," stated an announcement from ICA in November 2025. The objective of the NBD system is to boost Singapore’s border safety by stopping possible threats from arriving in the first place.
If an NBD has been issued, travelers will be denied boarding at the check-in desk. ICA has been collaborating closely with airlines to ensure everything goes smoothly. After airlines offer advance passenger data, ICA will assess travelers who plan to fly to Singapore. Sometimes, airlines may need to do further checks, such as verifying visa approvals or confirming SGAC submissions, before letting a passenger or crew member get on board. Travelers who are not allowed to enter but still want to go to Singapore will not be left uninformed. They must contact ICA (through the ICA Feedback Channel) to request entry approval before booking a new flight to Singapore.
Not following the rules can lead to major problems. Airline companies that do not follow an NBD will be guilty of a serious offense under the Immigration Act 1959 and could be hit with fines as high as $10,000. Pilots or airline employees who let a passenger with an NBD board, whether they know it or not, might face fines, prison sentences of up to six months, or both. However, Singapore continues to be a popular destination for Indian travelers. The statistics show this clearly. “Indian tourists are still one of the key markets for the island, and they play a big role in boosting luxury spending in Singapore,” said Mark Shaw, Chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), according to PTI.
In the first ten months of this year, 1.03 million Indian visitors arrived in Singapore, marking a 2.6 percent increase from last year, according to data from the Singapore Tourism Board. Overall, Singapore welcomed 14.25 million visitors from January to October 2025, reflecting a growth of 2.5 percent.
