The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a mandatory free digital pre-arrival declaration required by Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) from virtually all travelers entering Singapore.
Submit it within 3 days before arrival via the official ICA e-Service or MyICA app — failure to do so can result in fines up to S$10,000 or being denied boarding by your airline.
What Is the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)?
The Singapore Arrival Card is a free mandatory digital form administered by Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that all travelers must submit before entering Singapore.
It collects your personal details, travel itinerary, Singapore accommodation address, and a short electronic health declaration — replacing the paper-based system that was discontinued in March 2020.
The SGAC is submitted entirely online, either through the ICA e-Service at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or via the MyICA Mobile app (available free on iOS and Android).
Submission is always free of charge through official channels. Once submitted successfully, you receive an acknowledgement email to the address you declared in the form.
Three facts every traveler should know before arriving in Singapore:
- The SGAC is valid for a single trip only — you need a new one for every entry into Singapore
- The SGAC is not a visa — if your nationality requires a visa to enter Singapore, you must apply for that separately through ICA
- The SGAC is permanent — Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed in February 2023 that the SGAC would remain a permanent feature to support disease surveillance and reduce the risk of importing infectious diseases
SGAC vs. Singapore Visa: Key Difference
The Singapore Arrival Card and a Singapore visa are two entirely separate requirements.
The SGAC is a pre-arrival declaration form required from virtually all travelers — regardless of nationality.
A Singapore visa, by contrast, is only required for travelers from visa-required countries and must be applied for separately through ICA before travel.
Submitting the SGAC does not guarantee entry into Singapore.
On arrival, your eligibility for entry is assessed independently by the ICA officer at the immigration counter.
If your nationality requires a visa and you have not obtained one, submitting the SGAC will not allow you to enter. To check whether your nationality requires a Singapore visa, visit the official ICA website at ica.gov.sg.
History: How the SGAC Replaced the Paper White Card
Before 2020, foreign visitors arriving in Singapore were handed a paper disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card — commonly known as the “white card” — on their flight or vessel. Travelers filled it in by hand and submitted it to the ICA officer on arrival.
The digital SGAC was first introduced in August 2019 for travelers using selected transport operators.
From 27 March 2020, ICA discontinued the paper DE card entirely and made the SGAC mandatory for all travelers.
The transition was accelerated by Singapore’s pandemic-related border controls, which required digital health declarations. In 2023, the system was confirmed as a permanent fixture of Singapore’s border management.
Who Needs to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
Almost all travelers must submit the Singapore Arrival Card before entering Singapore.
The rule applies regardless of nationality, purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit with clearance, or returning resident), or mode of arrival (air, sea, or land).
There are two narrow exceptions:
- Travelers transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance — if you remain airside and do not pass through immigration, you do not need to submit the SGAC.
- Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents (PRs), and Long-Term Pass holders entering via land checkpoints (Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint) — these residents are exempt when entering by land only.
All other travelers — including Singapore citizens and residents arriving by air or sea — must submit the SGAC before arrival.
Exemptions: Who Does NOT Need to Submit
| Traveler Type | Exemption Condition |
|---|---|
| Transit/transfer passengers | Must NOT seek immigration clearance (remain airside) |
| Singapore citizens | Exempt ONLY when entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints |
| Singapore Permanent Residents | Exempt ONLY when entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints |
| Long-Term Pass holders | Exempt ONLY when entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints |
| All foreign visitors | No exemption — must submit SGAC regardless of nationality |
| Singapore citizens arriving by air/sea | No exemption — must submit SGAC |
Long-Term Pass holders include holders of:
- Student’s Pass
- Dependant’s Pass
- Long-Term Visit Pass
- Work Pass
If you are unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, the safest approach is to submit the SGAC. Submission is free and takes only a few minutes.
When to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card within 3 days before your arrival, including the day of arrival itself.
This is the official ICA requirement — submitting earlier than 3 days before arrival is not permitted.
Example: If you are arriving in Singapore on 30 April 2026, you can submit your SGAC from 28 April 2026 onwards.
ICA strongly recommends submitting the SGAC as early as possible within the 3-day window to avoid unnecessary delays during immigration clearance.
Last-minute submissions at the airport or port are technically possible but increase the risk of delays at the immigration counter.
After submitting, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming your submission. Keep this email accessible — you may be asked to show it at check-in or at the immigration counter.
The No-Boarding Rule: What Airlines Check in 2026
One of the most important — and least-known — aspects of the SGAC is the no-boarding rule.
Airlines operating flights to Singapore are required to verify that passengers have submitted their SGAC before allowing them to board.
If you have not submitted your Singapore Arrival Card before check-in, the airline may deny you boarding. This applies even if you have a valid ticket, a valid visa (if required), and all other travel documents in order.
The no-boarding rule means that forgetting to submit the SGAC is not a problem you can fix at the Singapore immigration counter — it is a problem that will prevent you from boarding your flight in the first place.
Submit the SGAC within the 3-day window, and keep your acknowledgement email accessible at check-in.
How to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card: Step-by-Step
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card for free via the ICA e-Service website or the MyICA Mobile app in minutes.
Both channels are official, free, and produce the same result — an acknowledgement email confirming your submission.
Option 1 — ICA e-Service (Website)
The ICA e-Service is the primary submission channel, accessible from any device with an internet connection.
URL: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard
Step 1: Select your traveler type.
The e-Service presents two options:
- Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents & Long-Term Pass holders — submit health declaration only
- Foreign visitors & IPA letter holders — submit arrival information + health declaration
Select the option that applies to you.
Step 2: Fill in your personal details.
Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport’s Machine Readable Zone (MRZ):
- Full name (last name, first name, middle name/patronymic — omit hyphens if not shown in MRZ)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number and expiry date
- Country of birth and country of residence
Step 3: Enter your travel information.
- Date of arrival in Singapore
- Mode of travel (air, sea, or land)
- Last country of embarkation
- Next country of disembarkation
- Date of departure from Singapore
Step 4: Provide your Singapore accommodation address.
Enter the full address where you will be staying in Singapore:
- Postal code
- Block/house number
- Street name
- Type of accommodation (hotel, private residence, etc.)
Step 5: Complete the Electronic Health Declaration.
Answer the health screening questions (see the Electronic Health Declaration section below for details).
Step 6: Submit and save your acknowledgement email.
After submission, ICA sends an acknowledgement email to the address you declared. Save this email — you may need to show it at airline check-in and at the immigration counter.
Important: If you need to update your health status after submission (for example, if you develop symptoms), use the “Update SGAC” feature on the same e-Service page. Do not submit a new SGAC — update the existing one.
Option 2 — MyICA Mobile App
The MyICA Mobile app is ICA’s official mobile application, available free of charge:
- iOS: App Store
- Android: Google Play
The app offers the same SGAC submission functionality as the website, with one significant advantage for frequent travelers to Singapore: the profile-saving feature.
Once you create a profile in the MyICA app, your personal details are saved and auto-populated for subsequent SGAC submissions — saving time on repeat trips.
Download the app before your trip to avoid relying on airport Wi-Fi for submission.
Group Submission
If you are traveling to Singapore as part of a group, the SGAC e-Service supports Group Submission — a single submission process for multiple travelers making the same trip together.
How group submission works:
- One person completes the submission process for the entire group
- Use the same email address for all applicants in the group
- Each traveler’s details must be entered individually
- All group members receive confirmation via the shared email address
Group submission is intended for travelers making one trip together — it is not a standing arrangement for future trips.
What Information Is Required for the SGAC?
The Singapore Arrival Card requires four categories of information: passport details, travel information, Singapore accommodation address, and an electronic health declaration.
Have your passport and accommodation booking ready before starting the form.
| Category | Details Required |
|---|---|
| Passport details | Full name (as in MRZ), date of birth, nationality, passport number, expiry date, country of birth, country of residence |
| Travel information | Arrival date, mode of travel, last country of embarkation, next destination, departure date from Singapore |
| Accommodation | Postal code, block/house number, street name, accommodation type |
| Health declaration | Symptom check, recent travel to yellow fever risk countries |
All information must be accurate and truthful. Providing false or incorrect information is a criminal offence under Singapore law (see the Penalties section below).
Electronic Health Declaration
The Electronic Health Declaration is a mandatory component of the Singapore Arrival Card, required from all travelers — including Singapore citizens and residents arriving by air or sea.
The health declaration asks you to confirm:
- Whether you currently have symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, or vomiting
- Whether you have visited Africa or Latin America in the past 6 days prior to arrival in Singapore (relevant to yellow fever risk)
The health declaration is in place under Singapore’s Infectious Diseases Act for purposes of disease control — specifically to guard against importing diseases of concern and to protect the health of Singapore residents.
If your health status changes after submission: Use the “Update SGAC” feature on the ICA e-Service to update your declaration.
Do not ignore a change in health status — submitting a false declaration is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act.
If you have traveled to a country with risk of yellow fever transmission in the past 6 days before arriving in Singapore (including spending more than 12 hours in airport transit in such countries), you must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to the ICA officer on arrival.
Singapore Arrival Card Penalties: Fines and Legal Consequences
Failing to submit the Singapore Arrival Card or providing false information carries fines up to S$10,000 and possible imprisonment.
These are not theoretical penalties — Singapore enforces its immigration requirements strictly.
| Offence | First Offence | Subsequent Offence |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to submit SGAC | Fine ≤ S$10,000 and/or ≤ 6 months imprisonment | Fine ≤ S$20,000 and/or ≤ 12 months imprisonment |
| Providing false information | Fine ≤ S$10,000 and/or ≤ 6 months imprisonment | Fine ≤ S$20,000 and/or ≤ 12 months imprisonment |
Beyond the financial penalties, travelers who fail to submit the SGAC may face:
- Denied boarding by the airline (no-boarding rule)
- Delays at the immigration counter upon arrival
- Detention if false information is discovered at the border
The penalties apply equally to the health declaration component. Submitting a false health declaration — for example, concealing symptoms or recent travel to yellow fever risk countries — is prosecuted und
er the Infectious Diseases Act, not just immigration law.
Official Submission Channels
The Singapore Arrival Card is always free when submitted through official ICA channels. There is no fee, no processing charge, and no premium option.
Official submission channels:
- Website: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard
- App: MyICA Mobile (search “MyICA” on App Store or Google Play)
What Happens at Singapore Immigration After Submitting the SGAC?
After submitting the Singapore Arrival Card, you still need to complete immigration clearance on arrival in Singapore.
The SGAC submission is a pre-arrival step — it does not replace the immigration process at the checkpoint.
At the immigration counter:
- Present your travel document (passport) to the ICA officer.
- Provide biometrics — fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scan are required from all travelers during immigration clearance. Travelers who refuse to provide biometrics may be denied entry into Singapore.
- Show proof of onward travel (for short-term visitors) — have your return or onward ticket accessible.
- Present a yellow fever vaccination certificate if applicable (if you traveled to a yellow fever risk country in the past 6 days).
Short-term visitors should also ensure they have sufficient funds for their stay and do not plan to engage in any business, professional, or paid employment activities — these are not permitted on a Short-Term Visit Pass.
Your Visit Pass (e-Pass) After Arrival
When you clear immigration in Singapore, you are granted a Visit Pass (also called an e-Pass) — the official authorization to remain in Singapore for a specified period.
Since 2023, Singapore issues Visit Passes electronically rather than as physical stamps in your passport.
After arrival:
- Retrieve your e-Pass via the e-Pass Enquiry Portal on the ICA website
- Check your Visit Pass validity using the Visit Pass validity tool on the ICA website
- Do not overstay — overstaying your Visit Pass is a punishable offence in Singapore
If you need to extend your stay, apply for a Visit Pass extension online via the ICA e-Service before your current pass expires. Extensions are subject to approval and are not guaranteed.
Note: Your Visit Pass validity is different from your visa validity (if applicable). A visa allows you to enter Singapore; the Visit Pass determines how long you may remain.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Singapore Arrival Card
Is a Singapore Arrival Card still required in 2026?
Yes, the Singapore Arrival Card remains mandatory in 2026 for virtually all travelers. Singapore confirmed in 2023 that the SGAC is a permanent border requirement with no planned changes.
How do I get the Singapore Arrival Card?
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card for free at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or via the MyICA Mobile app. The form takes about 5–10 minutes, and you receive an acknowledgment email on completion.
How far in advance can I apply for the Singapore Arrival Card?
You can submit the Singapore Arrival Card up to 3 days before arrival, including the day of arrival itself — no earlier submissions are accepted.
Is the Singapore no-boarding rule real in 2026?
Yes. Airlines check that passengers have submitted their Singapore Arrival Card before boarding — if you haven’t submitted it, you can be denied boarding even with a valid ticket.
Is the Singapore Arrival Card a visa?
No. The Singapore Arrival Card is a pre-arrival declaration, not a visa. Travelers from visa-required countries must apply for a Singapore visa separately through ICA.
Who is exempt from the Singapore Arrival Card?
Only two groups are exempt: travelers transiting without immigration clearance (airside only), and Singapore citizens, PRs, and Long-Term Pass holders entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints.
What happens if I forget to submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
Your airline may deny you boarding under the no-boarding rule. If you reach immigration without it, you risk fines up to S$10,000 and possible denial of entry.
Can I submit the Singapore Arrival Card for my family?
Yes, use the Group Submission feature on the ICA e-Service. One person submits for the whole group traveling together, using the same email address for all applicants.
What if my health status changes after I submit the SGAC?
Use the “Update SGAC” feature on the ICA e-Service to update your health declaration — submitting a false declaration is a criminal offense under the Infectious Diseases Act.
Do I need a new Singapore Arrival Card for every trip?
Yes, the Singapore Arrival Card is valid for a single entry only. Submit a new one for every trip to Singapore.
What documents do I need to fill in the Singapore Arrival Card?
You need your passport and your Singapore accommodation address. Travel details (arrival date, mode of travel, departure date) are also required.
Can I submit the Singapore Arrival Card on my phone?
Yes — download the free MyICA Mobile app (iOS or Android). It saves your profile for faster submissions on future trips.
What is the Electronic Health Declaration in the SGAC?
It is a mandatory symptom check and travel history form embedded in the Singapore Arrival Card, required under the Infectious Diseases Act for disease control at the border.
Do Singapore citizens need to submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
Yes, Singapore citizens must submit the SGAC when arriving by air or sea. The land checkpoint exemption (Woodlands/Tuas) applies to citizens, PRs, and Long-Term Pass holders only.
What is the penalty for providing false information on the Singapore Arrival Card?
A first offense carries a fine up to S$10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment; subsequent offences up to S$20,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Singapore?
Yes, if you traveled to a yellow fever risk country in the past 6 days before arrival (including 12+ hours in airport transit there) — present the certificate to the ICA officer on arrival.
Last updated: April 2026. Information based on official ICA guidelines at ica.gov.sg. Always verify current requirements with ICA before travel, as entry requirements may change.