The island nation of Singapore is popular worldwide for lush manicured public spaces, dramatic skylines, and year-round summer. Tourists flock to the Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge, and the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel or venture out into the few remaining “kampong” villages in Lim Chu Kang and Pulau Ubin.
Read our guide about the Singapore arrival card to plan your holiday in this Asian tourist hotspot.
Summary
| Requirement type | Mandatory for all visitors |
| Purpose of travel | Tourism and transit
|
| Valid | 30 days maximum |
| Entry/exit | Single
|
| Processing time | 1-2 business days
|
| Cost | Free |
| Application method | Online only
|
| Payment method | Free |
What is a Singapore Arrival Card?
With Singapore Arrival Card, you can get all the benefits of a multiple entry pass to and from Singapore. Whether you’re in transit, a visitor planning for a holiday, or an under-18-year-old wishing to travel alone, this passport-sized card is your entryway to everything Singapore has to offer.
The Singapore arrival card or SG arrival card electronically links permission for travelers to enter the country. It is not the equivalent of a visa, and it allows only for short visits. If you prefer a holiday in Singapore for longer than one month, apply for a traditional visa or electronic eVisa from the Singapore High Commission in London. This is because you cannot extend or renew the Singapore arrival card.
The SG arrival card includes your identification information, travel itinerary, and a health declaration as part of monitoring the Covid-19 situation for all incoming travelers. The SG arrival card on your smartphone to easier entry when you arrive in Singapore. At this time (July 2021), travel to Singapore is on hold to nationals and permanent residents of Singapore only.
Requirements for Singapore Arrival Card
To apply for your SG arrival card, you should have:
- A valid passport with 6 months left to expiry.
- An active email address.
- Itinerary or travel plans.
- Proof of accommodation in Singapore where available.
When you arrive in Singapore, you must present the following in addition to your SG arrival card:
- Proof of onward travel, such as your transit or return tickets.
- Proof of funds to support your stay in Singapore.
It is important to emphasize that the Singapore arrival card is not a replacement for a visa. The decision to allow you into the country lies with the immigration authorities at the port of entry.
Who Needs a Singapore Arrival Card?
All foreign visitors to Singapore need the SG arrival card, including those from countries with a visa exemption status. You will need a Singapore arrival card to enter through the following entry points:
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Woodlands checkpoint
- Tuas checkpoint
- Singapore Cruise Centre
- Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Changi Point Ferry Terminal
- Changi Ferry Terminal
How Long Does a Singapore Arrival Card Last?
The Singapore arrival card is valid for 30 days. Ideally, you should apply for your SG arrival card three days before your travel date to avoid delays during immigration clearance in Singapore.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Singapore Arrival Card?
The online application for your SG arrival card takes about 5 to 7 minutes to complete as you only need to enter your details as they appear on your passport and your travel itinerary. You can make an individual application or group application for up to 10 people per submission. Your Singapore arrival card comes to your email address as a PDF document within one or two business days.
How Much Does Singapore Arrival Card Cost?
The Singapore arrival card is free of charge from the official Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) website. The ICA strongly encourages travelers to use this official government site for their Singapore arrival cards instead of proxy visa services that may expose them to phishing.
Extra Tips
- All travelers to Singapore, including citizens and residents above the age of 3, need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
- You can also present a positive Covid-19 PCR test result issued at least 22 days before arriving in Singapore. This will serve as proof that you already had and recovered from the coronavirus and are therefore immune.
- All travelers are also required to take a PCR test when they arrive. You can pay for this in before your departure through this site.
- The Covid-19 certificate for Singapore must include the date you took the test and at least two personal identifiers, such as your full name, your passport number, or your date of birth.
- Travelers with a travel ban to Singapore are those who have been in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, or Chinese Taipei within the previous 21 days.
- You may get an exemption from quarantine if you enter Singapore from Brunei, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. However, if you have visited China’s Guangdong province within the past 21 days before arriving in Singapore, you have to take a PCR test on arrival.
- All other travelers must submit to mandatory self-quarantine on arrival for 14 days. This self-quarantine is a stay-home notice (SHN), and you can have it either at a dedicated SHN facility or at home. UK travelers, in particular, may have to quarantine at a government SHN hotel at their own cost.
- If home quarantine is an option, you must wear an electronic monitoring device throughout the 14 days, use Covid-19 self-testing kits to check your health, and expect unscheduled visits, calls, and text messages from Singapore health authorities.
- The electronic monitoring device required by the Singapore authorities during quarantine must be on your wrist until the quarantine period is complete and a negative PCR test is on record.
- Visitors to Singapore should have travel insurance of at least S$30,000 (US$22,280) to cover Covid-19 treatment and hospitalization.
- Travelers who arrive in Singapore from any airport in the Middle East may undergo a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) screening test.
- Women travelers who are more than 6 months pregnant don’t require any extra permissions to travel to Singapore. However, the Singapore immigration officers will decide whether to allow entry or not based on the intended duration of stay. Anyone who plans to give birth in Singapore should apply for prior entry clearance through the Singapore High Commission in London.
- Anyone who violates Singapore’s Covid-19 control regulations is subject to a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$7,565), or up to 6 months in jail, or both.
- Once you complete your quarantine and safely travel through Singapore, download the Safe Entry and Trace Together apps, allowing you to monitor your trips to the shops, bars, restaurants, and other locations throughout the country.
- Everyone over the age of 6 must wear a face mask in public, except when eating or exercising.
Plan Your Holiday to Singapore Today
Singapore is a fascinating destination in Southeast Asia with a wide range of interests for all travelers. Singapore has something unforgettable for the whole family, whether you would like a futuristic urban experience filled with superb cuisine and shopping or an outdoor adventure through lush nature parks and reserves or even take a tour of the vibrant street art and murals. Stay updated on your Singapore travel plans here.