Visitors to be fingerprinted

Singapore may soon join a small number of countries worldwide that ask visitors to have their fingerprints taken when they arrive.

The immigration authorities are considering setting up self-service kiosks to capture the fingerprints of foreigners arriving at Changi Airport's new Terminal 4 when it opens in 2017.

The move will speed up immigration clearance and strengthen border security, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) new operational plan, which The Straits Times obtained last week. The ICA has confirmed the move.

At least three countries scan the fingerprints of visitors: The United States started doing so in 2004 after the Sept 11 terror attacks of 2001. Japan introduced it in 2007 and South Korea in 2012.

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