Travelling to Singapore? Visa sorted, hotels booked, and itinerary prepared, what next? The next step is the Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card). Many travellers misunderstand it as a visa or are even unaware of it, and thus end up in a difficult spot. The SG Arrival card is a mandatory digital entry declaration different from the visa. There are no complications: you can apply for it on your phone in under 10 minutes, without any fee, but missing it can cause problems at immigration and risk your holiday.
What Is the Singapore Arrival Card and Why Does It Matter?
Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card or SGAC) is a pre-arrival declaration form collected digitally by the country’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SGAC is not a visa. It is collected to understand the traveller’s travel, passport, accommodation, and health-related information for health and security screening. This will help make immigration hassle-free when you arrive at the airport. If you fail to secure the SG Arrival Card, immigration and entry processes may be delayed. Also, make sure to submit the SGAC within three days before arrival.
Who Needs to Fill the Electronic Singapore Arrival Card?
If you are entering Singapore and passing through immigration, you will most likely need to submit the Singapore Arrival Card irrespective of your nationality or visa status.
Travellers Who Need to Submit SG Arrival Card
- All foreign nationals entering Singapore.
- Travellers who are travelling visa-free still have to fill in the Singapore arrival card.
Who is Exempt from applying for a SG Arrival Card?
- Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders arriving via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints.
- Travellers transiting or transferring through Singapore without going through immigration.
Tribe Travel Tip: If you are just transiting or transferring through Singapore, you do not need SGAC, as you do not need to go through the immigration process.
What Information Do You Need to Fill in the SG Arrival Card?
Filling out the Singapore Arrival Card takes just 5-7 minutes, provided you have all the necessary information ready. This is not a complicated process to worry about.
Information Required for SG Arrival Card
- Passport details: All passport information, including the name, date of birth, nationality, and expiry date.
- Travel details: Date of arrival, flight/vessel/transport number, and port of entry (whatever applicable).
- Accommodation details: Hotel address or residence address in Singapore.
- Contact information: Email address and contact details.
- Health declaration: Recent travel history and health-related information where required.
- Travel document type: Passport or other approved travel document
Tribe Travel Tip: E-mail is absolutely necessary because the electronic Visit Pass that is provided after the immigration clearance is sent directly to the e-mail address.
How to Apply for a Singapore Arrival Card Online?
Applying for the Singapore Arrival Card is a completely free, online process. There are two ways to apply: the official ICA website or the MyICA mobile application, available on both the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. The step-by-step process is listed below:
- Visit the ICA portal or MyICA mobile app.
- Select ‘Foreign Visitor’.
- Choose ‘Individual Submission’ or ‘Group Submission’ depending on whether you are travelling alone or as a group.
- Enter personal details such as Full Name, Passport number, and Nationality, Date of Birth, and Contact information.
- Fill in the travel details, including arrival date, mode of transport, flight/transport details, and the intended departure information.
- Add the hotel address or residence address in Singapore where you will be staying.
- Answer the health and recent travel history questions asked and submit the health declaration.
- Review all the details before submitting (you will receive an acknowledgment email if your application was successfully submitted).
Final Thoughts on the Singapore Arrival Card
The SG Arrival Card is an important pre-arrival document that travellers to Singapore cannot afford to miss. It is a straightforward, free-of-cost process that will not take up much of your time. Many are unaware of this mandatory process, which can delay your immigration process.
If you are planning a Singapore holiday and want guidance or to customise your holiday using our AI travel planner, visit our website holidaytribe.ai.
