Singapore Joins Canada, US, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and More in New Travel Crackdown Preventing Suspicious Passengers from Boarding

Published on December 6, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

Starting January 30, 2026, Singapore will join Canada, the US, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and others in a travel crackdown, preventing suspicious passengers from boarding by enforcing pre-boarding checks to enhance security and ensure compliance with immigration requirements. Joining a growing list of countries, including Canada, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan, Singapore’s move strengthens global border security efforts. Through the introduction of No-Boarding Directives (NBD), the Singapore government will issue notices to airlines to stop passengers who fail to meet entry requirements or are flagged as high-risk from boarding flights. This proactive measure is part of Singapore’s commitment to safeguarding its borders by addressing security concerns before travelers even arrive at immigration checkpoints. By aligning with other nations already implementing similar policies, Singapore is enhancing its travel security and ensuring safer, more efficient border control for legitimate travelers.

What is the New Travel Crackdown in Singapore?

Singapore’s No-Boarding Directive (NBD) system will identify and stop individuals who are flagged as high-risk or those who fail to meet the country’s entry requirements before they board their flights. Under the NBD, airlines will receive notices from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) detailing passengers who do not meet key entry requirements, such as possessing a valid visa or the necessary travel documents. These notices will ensure that airlines prevent passengers who are considered suspicious or inadmissible from boarding flights bound for Singapore, thereby reducing the number of problematic individuals arriving at immigration checkpoints.

This proactive approach marks a significant shift in border security management, moving the responsibility of identifying and denying boarding from immigration officers at airports to airline operators before the flight even departs. The system is designed to improve overall border security by addressing potential threats in advance, ensuring a smoother and safer entry process for legitimate travelers.

Similar Policies in Canada, US, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan

Singapore is joining a growing list of countries that have already implemented similar pre-boarding security measures. These countries use pre-screening systems to identify and prevent high-risk passengers from boarding flights, enhancing the security of their borders. Below are the details and criteria for these policies in Canada, the US, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan, which form part of this global trend.

Canada: Passenger Protect Program

Canada’s Passenger Protect Program is designed to prevent individuals identified as security risks from boarding flights to or from the country. The program maintains a No-Fly List that includes individuals flagged for being a threat to aviation or national security. The Canadian government defines the criteria for inclusion on the list, and airlines are required to screen passengers against this list before departure. If a passenger’s name matches someone on the list, they are prohibited from boarding.

The criteria for inclusion on the list are based on security assessments, including terrorism or criminal activity threats. The program also extends to those who might pose a threat to public safety during air travel, and it is enforced by both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Transport Canada.

United States: No-Fly List

The United States maintains its own No-Fly List, which prevents individuals identified as security threats from boarding flights. Managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the No-Fly List includes people who are considered to be involved in terrorism or other criminal activities. The U.S. government determines who is added to the No-Fly List, and airlines must check the names of all passengers against the No-Fly List before allowing them to board. If a person’s name matches someone on the list, they are stopped from boarding, even if they have already cleared security.

The No-Fly List is part of a larger system of border control and security measures implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Homeland Security. This list is updated regularly based on intelligence and security concerns, and it includes individuals from both domestic and international backgrounds who are deemed a threat to the safety of the aviation system.

Brazil: National Security and Border Control System

Brazil operates a National Security and Border Control System, which allows Brazilian government authorities to prevent individuals flagged as security threats or as inadmissible from boarding flights to the country. The system is coordinated by the Brazilian Federal Police in cooperation with airlines, who are required to check all passenger details against security alerts and immigration requirements before allowing passengers to board.

Brazil’s criteria for exclusion include failing to meet visa and travel document requirements, involvement in criminal activities, or being flagged by international security agencies. In addition to national security concerns, Brazilian authorities have strengthened immigration screening to manage the flow of travelers from regions with higher security risks.

Mexico: Immigration and Border Control Measures

Mexico’s border security system includes similar measures to prevent high-risk travelers from entering the country. The National Institute of Migration (INM), a Mexican government agency, works with airlines to screen passengers before departure, denying boarding to those who fail to meet entry requirements or who are flagged as suspicious.

Mexico’s criteria for exclusion include failing to meet visa and travel document requirements, being involved in criminal activities, or being flagged by international security agencies. The Mexican government has been working closely with airlines to ensure that only eligible travelers are allowed to board flights to Mexico.

Japan: Immigration Control System

Japan also uses an Immigration Control System that involves screening passengers before they board flights to the country. The Japanese government works with airlines to ensure that travelers are properly vetted before departure. Japan’s system checks for both immigration-related issues (such as visa validity and travel document completeness) and security concerns.

Passengers are screened through Advance Passenger Information (API) systems, where airlines are required to submit detailed information about each passenger prior to their departure. This data is checked against databases of flagged or inadmissible travelers. If a passenger is identified as a risk, they are denied boarding before the flight departs. This process helps Japan’s authorities control the entry of high-risk travelers and prevent security threats before they even reach the airport.

How the No-Boarding Directive Will Work in Singapore

Under Singapore’s No-Boarding Directive, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), a government body, will issue notices to airlines about passengers who fail to meet entry requirements or who have been flagged as high-risk. These notices will be sent before the flight departs, and airlines will be required to stop these passengers from boarding. The system aims to improve the overall efficiency of immigration by preventing problematic individuals from entering the country.

Airlines will be responsible for verifying passengers’ travel documents and ensuring that their information matches the ICA’s records. If a passenger fails to meet the entry requirements, such as having an invalid visa or missing documentation, airlines will deny them boarding. Additionally, passengers flagged by security or intelligence agencies will also be prevented from boarding.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

The success of this system relies heavily on cooperation between airlines and the Singapore government. Airlines that fail to comply with the No-Boarding Directive will face penalties, including fines of up to $10,000. Airline employees, including pilots, could also be fined or face imprisonment for failing to adhere to the new regulations.

Passengers who are denied boarding will have the opportunity to appeal the decision by contacting the ICA through the Feedback Channel. Once the ICA approves their entry, they can make alternative arrangements for a new flight.

Expanding the Policy to Sea Vessels in 2028

Looking forward, Singapore’s No-Boarding Directive system will expand to include sea-going vessels starting in 2028. This expansion will cover passengers traveling by sea to Singapore, ensuring that all modes of transport are subject to the same strict border security checks. By extending the NBD system to sea vessels, Singapore aims to cover all forms of international travel and prevent high-risk individuals from entering the country.

The Global Impact of Singapore’s New Travel Crackdown

Singapore’s decision to join countries like Canada, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan in the implementation of pre-boarding security measures is part of a larger trend towards global border security enhancement. By denying boarding to high-risk passengers before they even arrive at immigration, Singapore is helping to set a new standard in border control. As more countries follow suit, this system will likely become a standard practice worldwide, enhancing global travel security and efficiency.

Starting January 30, 2026, Singapore will join Canada, the US, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and others in a travel crackdown, preventing suspicious passengers from boarding flights by enforcing pre-boarding checks to strengthen security and ensure compliance with immigration requirements before travelers even arrive.

Conclusion

Singapore’s new travel crackdown is a bold and proactive step in preventing high-risk individuals from entering the country. By joining forces with countries like Canada, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan, Singapore is solidifying its role as a leader in global travel security. As this policy continues to evolve and expand, it will likely become a benchmark for other countries aiming to protect their borders and ensure safer travel experiences for all.