Woodlands and Tuas brace for heavy traffic on 6 to 9 November

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects heavy traffic at Woodlands and Tuas from 6 to 9 November. The warning covers the Deepavali long weekend.

ICA issued the advisory on Sunday 1 November. Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November, and Monday 9 November is a public holiday in Singapore.

Here is what ICA says, what happened last time and how to plan your trip. There is also a rule for foreign cars.

What ICA expects

First, the dates. ICA warns of longer waits during peak periods from Friday 6 November to Monday 9 November.

However, it did not give peak hours or a forecast number of travellers in the material we saw.

Woodlands and Tuas link Johor and Singapore by land. Woodlands Checkpoint alone usually sees over 300,000 people a day, an earlier report said.

Next, the last big holiday gives a guide. Between 4 and 14 September, more than 6.1 million people crossed at both checkpoints.

On 4 September alone, more than 599,000 travellers cleared. That was a record, above the previous peak of more than 598,000 on 19 June.

The record came on the first day of that holiday period.

Car drivers waited up to three hours for immigration clearance, because of tailbacks from Malaysia.

Still, ICA has not said whether this weekend will match those numbers.

How to plan your trip

First, timing. ICA advises travelling early in the morning or late in the evening.

Next, check live conditions. Look at the LTA OneMotoring website and ICA’s social media before you leave.

Also, use the QR code from the MyICA app for faster clearance. Arrivals also need the Singapore Arrival Card.

Motorcyclists now clear with QR codes and facial recognition. ICA says this raised peak-hour capacity by more than 35%, or about 7,600 more travellers an hour than in 2019.

Then the road rules. Drivers who cut the queue will be sent to the back.

In September, 27 motorists were caught for traffic offences at Woodlands. Sixteen were referred to the Traffic Police.

The offences included crossing double white lines, illegal right turns, stopping in dangerous spots and cutting the queue.

ICA also asks drivers to follow traffic laws and officers’ instructions. It says it will take firm action against violators.

Rules for foreign-registered cars

First, the permit. Foreign-registered cars need a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) before the driver can submit the Singapore Arrival Card.

Also, from 2 November, vehicles with outstanding fines cannot apply for or renew a VEP. So check for unpaid fines before you plan the trip.

The permit rule applies before the arrival card, so sort it out early.

Meanwhile, ICA says security checks have been stepped up at all checkpoints since 28 February.

Also, ICA did not say how many officers or lanes will be added for the weekend.

Johor Bahru is also backing e-ART and more buses to ease road traffic. The RTS Link is due to open in February 2027.

For those heading home, the Deepavali school holiday falls on 9 and 10 November.

In short, Woodlands and Tuas will be busy from 6 to 9 November. Plan ahead, travel off-peak and check your VEP

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