Singapore Arrival Card Requirements

The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free mandatory electronic declaration administered by ICA — almost every traveler entering Singapore must submit it within 3 days before arrival.

What Does the SGAC Actually Do?

The SGAC is Singapore’s digital replacement for the paper disembarkation/embarkation card that travelers previously filled in on the plane.

It serves two functions simultaneously: it records your arrival information for immigration processing, and it captures a mandatory electronic health declaration.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) administers the SGAC exclusively. Singapore Customs is a separate authority — it handles goods declarations, not the SGAC.

The SGAC does three things ICA cannot do with a passport scan alone:

• Captures your accommodation address in Singapore before you land.
• Records your 14-day travel history for health screening purposes.
• Generates a QR code that links your declaration to your immigration record at the checkpoint.

Submission is always free — SGD 0, USD 0. ICA has issued 5+ public advisories on this.

SGAC vs Singapore Visa — Two Separate Requirements

The SGAC and a Singapore visa are independent requirements. A visa grants permission to enter Singapore.

The SGAC is a pre-arrival declaration that all travelers must submit regardless of visa status.

Visa-free travelers — including UK, US, Australian, and EU citizens — still must submit the SGAC.

Holding a valid visa does not exempt you from the SGAC requirement.

What Does SGAC Stand For?

SGAC stands for SG Arrival Card. The “SG” prefix refers to Singapore’s country code.

ICA uses both “SG Arrival Card” and “SGAC” interchangeably in official communications.

Who Must Submit the SGAC — Full Eligibility Table

Basically, all travelers entering Singapore through any checkpoint must submit the SGAC.

The requirement applies regardless of nationality, pass type, or purpose of visit.

ICA confirmed the requirement remains in force in a Public Advisory issued on 17 March 2026.

Transit Through Singapore — Exact Rules

Transit passengers who remain in the airside transit area without clearing immigration are exempt from the SGAC. This applies to:

• Those connecting to another international flight without leaving the transit zone.
• Visitors using Changi’s transit facilities (lounges, shops) without passing through immigration.

Transit passengers who do clear immigration — for example, to stay overnight in Singapore between flights — must submit the SGAC before entering.

Singapore does not require a transit visa for most nationalities for airside transit.

SGAC for Children — Submission Rules

Each child requires a separate SGAC submission. There is no combined family form.

Parents or guardians submit on behalf of minors using the same ICA account. The child’s own passport details must be entered — not the parent’s.

SGAC for Groups and Tour Parties

Each traveler in a group requires an individual SGAC submission. Tour operators cannot submit a single group SGAC.

Each person’s passport details, travel information, and health declaration must be submitted separately.

What You Must Declare in the SGAC

The SGAC collects 3 categories of information. Have all documents ready before starting — submission takes 5–7 minutes when prepared.

Category 1: Personal Identity Details

Category 2: Travel and Arrival Information

• Mode of arrival: air, land (Woodlands or Tuas checkpoint), or sea (ferry terminal)
• Flight number or vessel name: exact as on your ticket
• Arrival date in Singapore: the date you land or cross the border
• Countries visited in the last 14 days: all countries, including stopovers
• Purpose of visit: tourism, business, transit, family visit, medical, education
• Intended duration of stay: number of days
• Accommodation address: hotel name + full address, or residential address in Singapore

If you are staying at multiple addresses, enter your first night’s accommodation.

Category 3: Electronic Health Declaration

The health declaration is a mandatory component of the SGAC — it cannot be skipped. You must answer questions about:

• Current symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste
• Vaccination status
• Recent illness in the past 14 days
• Contact with confirmed infectious disease cases in the past 14 days

False declarations carry legal consequences. Answer all questions accurately. ICA may cross-reference health declarations with medical records at the checkpoint.

Nationalities Requiring a Singapore Visa

Nationals of approximately 40 countries require a visa to enter Singapore. They must:

1. Obtain a Singapore visa from the Singapore Embassy or ICA before travel.
2. Submit the SGAC separately within 3 days before arrival.

South African passport holders require a Singapore visa AND must submit the SGAC.

The visa is obtained from the Singapore Embassy or the ICA’s e-Visa portal. The SGAC is submitted separately.

How to Submit the SGAC — Two Official Channels

Submit your SGAC via the ICA SGAC e-Service at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or the MyICA Mobile App (free on iOS and Android).

Both channels are free and produce the same QR code confirmation.

Channel 1: SGAC e-Service (Web Browser)

1. Open eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard in any browser.
2. Select your traveler type: Foreign Visitor or Resident.
3. Enter passport details — name, nationality, passport number, expiry date, date of birth.
4. Provide travel details — mode of arrival, flight/vessel number, arrival date.
5. Share accommodation address in Singapore.
6. Complete the electronic health declaration.
7. Review all entries for accuracy.
8. Submit — receive QR code confirmation instantly.
9. Download the PDF confirmation — save to device or email to yourself.

Channel 2: MyICA Mobile App

1. Download MyICA from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) — free.
2. Tap “SG Arrival Card” on the home screen.
3. Enter passport details → travel details → accommodation → health declaration.
4. Submit and save the confirmation — accessible offline within the app.

Submission Timing — The 3-Day Rule

Day 1 counts as your arrival day. You cannot submit more than 3 days in advance.

Completing the card on the day of arrival is permitted but not recommended — it adds time to the immigration queue.

Best practice: Submit 24–48 hours before departure from your home country.

After Submission: QR Code, e-Pass, and Visit Pass

After submitting your SGAC, you receive a confirmation with a QR code.

After clearing immigration, ICA issues an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) — this replaces the physical passport stamp.

Your SGAC Confirmation QR Code

The QR code appears immediately after submission. It links your declaration to your immigration record. Present it at the immigration counter — a digital display on your phone is sufficient. Printing is not required.

To retrieve your confirmation later:

1. Go to eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard.
2. Select “Submitted Declarations”.
3. Find your trip by D/E number or arrival date.
4. Download the PDF.

Does the SGAC Require Approval?

The SGAC does not require approval or review. Submission is instant — your declaration is recorded the moment you submit.

There is no waiting period, no approval email, and no status to check beyond confirming your submission was received.

How to Retrieve Your e-Pass After Arrival

After clearing immigration at any Singapore checkpoint, ICA issues an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) to foreign visitors.

This is your official record of permitted stay — it replaces the ink stamp in your passport.

To retrieve your e-Pass:

1. Visit the ICA e-Pass Enquiry Portal: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/epass.
2. Or open the MyICA app → tap the “e-Pass” tab.
3. Enter your passport number and date of birth.
4. Your Visit Pass details appear — including your permitted duration of stay.

ICA updated the e-Pass Inquiry Portal on 21 October 2025. If your e-Pass does not appear within 24 hours of arrival, contact ICA at ask.gov.sg/ica.

How Long Can You Stay in Singapore?

Your permitted duration of stay is shown on your e-Pass — not in your passport. The duration depends on your nationality and visa status:

• Visa-free visitors: typically 30 days (some nationalities 90 days)
• Visa holders: as specified on the visa
• Singapore Citizens and PRs: no stay limit

Do not rely on the SGAC confirmation to determine your permitted stay. Check your e-Pass after clearing immigration.

Common SGAC Problems and Solutions

Problem: Made an Error in My Submission

You cannot edit a submitted SGAC. The solution is to resubmit:

1. Go to eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard.
2. Submit a new SGAC with the correct information.
3. ICA uses the most recent submission — the old one is superseded.
4. No penalty applies for resubmitting.

Common errors requiring resubmission: wrong arrival date, incorrect flight number, wrong accommodation address, typo in passport number.

Problem: SGAC Website Not Loading

Troubleshoot in this order:

1. Clear browser cache and cookies — browser settings → clear browsing data.
2. Switch to Google Chrome — ICA recommends Chrome for the e-Service.
3. Try the MyICA Mobile App — uses a different connection path.
4. Check ICA system status at ica.gov.sg — planned maintenance is announced in advance.
5. Wait 30 minutes — temporary server issues usually resolve quickly.

If the problem persists after all steps, contact ICA at ica.gov.sg/contact-us.

Problem: Forgot to Submit Before Departure

You can submit the SGAC at Changi Airport using the free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. However:

• Immigration officers may direct you to a separate counter.
• You may face delays in the immigration queue.
• In serious cases, ICA may deny entry.

Submit at least 24 hours before departure to avoid this situation. The 3-day window gives ample time to submit from home.

Problem: SGAC Submitted But No Confirmation Email

Check your spam/junk folder first. If no email arrived:

1. Go to eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard.
2. Select “Submitted Declarations”.
3. Find your submission by arrival date.
4. Download the PDF confirmation directly from the portal.

The confirmation is always retrievable from the website — the email is a convenience copy only.

FAQ — Singapore Arrival Card

Does everyone need to do a Singapore Arrival Card?

Almost all travelers entering Singapore must submit the SGAC. There are some exceptions, such as transit passengers who do not clear immigration.

What does SGAC do?

The SGAC records your arrival information (passport details, flight, accommodation) and captures a mandatory electronic health declaration. ICA uses it to process your entry and link your declaration to your immigration record at the checkpoint.

Is a Singapore Arrival Card still required in 2026?

ICA confirmed the requirement in a Public Advisory on 17 March 2026. Almost all travelers must submit the SGAC before arriving in Singapore.

When to complete the SG Arrival Card?

Within 3 days before arrival, where Day 1 counts as your arrival day. You cannot submit more than 3 days in advance. Example: arriving Monday → submit from Saturday.

What documents are needed for a Singapore Arrival Card?

You need: a valid passport (number, expiry date, nationality), flight or vessel details, accommodation address in Singapore, and answers to health declaration questions about current symptoms and recent travel history.

Does transit in Singapore need an SG Arrival Card?

Transit passengers who remain airside (do not clear immigration) are exempt. If you connect to another flight without entering Singapore, you do not need to submit an SGAC.

Does Singapore require a transit visa for connecting flights?

Most nationalities do not require a transit visa for airside transit at Changi Airport. Check ICA’s transit visa requirements at ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/transiting-singapore for your specific nationality.

What are the rules for transiting through Singapore’s airport?

Airside transit passengers can use Changi’s transit facilities (shops, lounges, transit hotels) without clearing immigration. No SGAC required. If you exit the transit zone and enter Singapore, you must clear immigration and submit the SGAC.