To apply for the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC), submit this free of charge digital immigration form via the MyICA app or ICA e-Service portal within 3 days before arrival. The process takes 5 to 7 minutes per individual. The SGAC replaced the legacy paper Disembarkation/Embarkation card as a mandatory pre-arrival health and travel declaration. During submission, you enter passport details, flight information, accommodation address, and current health status. Upon successful completion, you receive an acknowledgement email containing a reference number. Immigration officers at Changi Airport verify your SGAC status automatically when scanning your passport; no printed confirmation is needed. This walkthrough covers every step and form field for both submission channels.
Disclaimer: Singapore immigration requirements can change without advance notice. Always confirm current SGAC requirements at the ICA’s official SGAC page within 7 days of your departure date.
What Is the Singapore Arrival Card and Who Must Submit It?
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free of charge digital immigration form replacing the legacy paper DE Card. It serves as a mandatory pre-arrival health and travel declaration for all foreign nationals entering Singapore. The Singapore Arrival Card is not a visa. US passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays in 2026, but the SGAC remains a strict entry requirement.
The SGAC requires submission from all foreign nationals arriving by air, sea, or land. The following categories are exempt:
- Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration clearance.
- Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders (including Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, and Work Pass holders) entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints.
Every child and infant requires a separate Singapore Arrival Card submission. A parent or guardian must complete this digital form on their behalf.
When to Submit and What You Need Before Starting
The Singapore Arrival Card must be submitted no later than 3 days before your arrival date. If you arrive in Singapore on 15 August 2026, the SGAC requires submission no later than 12 August 2026. Travelers failing to meet this deadline risk being denied entry at the checkpoint. You cannot complete the SGAC submission after arriving at the airport.
Gather the following required items before beginning the Singapore Arrival Card submission:
- Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from your arrival date.
- Flight or vessel number.
- Arrival date and time.
- Exact accommodation address in Singapore matching your hotel booking confirmation.
- Current health status, including recent travel history and infectious disease declarations.
MyICA App vs. e-Service Portal: Which Should You Choose?
The MyICA app saves traveler profiles for future trips, while the e-Service portal requires no installation but lacks profile-saving capabilities. Both channels are free of charge and managed directly by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
| Feature | MyICA App | e-Service Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | iOS and Android | Web browser |
| Cost | Free of charge | Free of charge |
| Profile-saving | Yes (auto-populates data) | No |
| Offline capability | Can initiate form offline | Requires active internet |
| Installation | ~30 MB download | No installation required |
Frequent visitors and families benefit from the MyICA app’s profile-saving feature. One-time tourists submitting the Singapore Arrival Card should use the ICA e-Service portal.
How to Submit via the MyICA App (Step-by-Step)
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) via the MyICA app in six steps: download, register, select the form, fill in fields, review, and confirm. The submission process for an individual takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes per the ICA’s estimate.
- Download MyICA: Get the free app (iOS 13+ or Android 8+) via the MyICA Mobile Application page.
- Register or Log In: Create an account using an email or phone number.
- Select Form: Tap “Singapore Arrival Card” from the main menu.
- Fill Fields: Enter your passport, travel, accommodation, and health data field by field (see the SGAC Form Fields section below for format details).
- Review: Verify all inputs on the summary screen, particularly your passport number and flight number.
- Submit: Tap submit to generate your digital confirmation reference number. The acknowledgement email is sent to your registered address.
Submitting for a Group or Family
The “Submit for Others” feature allows one user to process the Singapore Arrival Card for an entire travel party. Each child or infant requires a distinct entry containing their specific passport data within the group submission.
Save Your Profile for Future Trips
The MyICA app automatically saves your personal profile after first submission. For subsequent visits in 2026 or later, passport and contact data auto-fills, meaning you only need to update flight and accommodation details.
How to Submit via the e-Service Portal (Step-by-Step)
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is submitted through the ICA e-Service portal in six sequential steps. This web-based method requires no installation, though travellers must enter all data manually for each trip since the portal lacks a profile-saving feature.
- Visit the portal: Access the ICA e-Service using any modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).
- Log in: Choose guest access or SingPass.
- Select form: Click “New Submission” to begin the Singapore Arrival Card entry.
- Fill fields: Enter your passport, flight, and accommodation details.
- Review: Verify all data carefully on the summary page before proceeding.
- Submit: Click submit to generate the digital confirmation reference number. The acknowledgement email is sent to the address you provided.
SGAC Form Fields Explained: What to Enter
The Singapore Arrival Card form requires personal details, passport info, travel details, accommodation address, and a health declaration, each with specific formatting rules. The SGAC mandates precise inputs; false declarations are prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act.
Required Data Categories
| Section | Key Fields | Input Format & Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Personal & Passport | Name, DOB, Nationality, Passport Number, Passport Expiry | Match passport exactly. Passport expiry must show 6+ months validity from arrival date. |
| Travel Details | Arrival Date, Flight or Vessel Number, Mode of Transport, Purpose of Visit | Include airline code and space (e.g., SQ 12). Select purpose from dropdown (Tourism, Business, Transit, Other). |
| Accommodation | Hotel Name or Address, Contact Number in Singapore | Enter the exact address matching your booking confirmation. Hotel front desk number is acceptable for contact. |
| Health Declaration | Current symptoms, Recent travel history, Declaration acknowledgment | Select Yes/No for symptoms. List countries visited in the last 14 days. Must reflect actual health status. |
What Happens After Submission: Confirmation and Corrections
After you submit the Singapore Arrival Card, the system generates a digital confirmation email containing a reference number. Immigration officers verify your SGAC status automatically via passport scan at the airport.
At Changi Airport Checkpoints
The Singapore Arrival Card is directly linked to your passport. You do not need to present a printed form or a QR code. When the immigration officer scans your passport at Changi Airport, the SGAC status appears instantly in the ICA system. The officer verifies your identity and confirms clearance in one step.
Corrections and Resubmission
If your flight, accommodation, or health status changes, log back into the MyICA app or the e-Service portal to edit and resubmit. The latest submission automatically replaces the previous one. Under the Infectious Diseases Act and the Immigration Act, deliberately providing false information may result in fines or imprisonment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During SGAC Submission
The Singapore Arrival Card requires precise data entry. The following six mistakes are the most frequently encountered during submission:
- Missing the deadline: The Singapore Arrival Card must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival date. Set a calendar reminder 1 to 2 days before your flight.
- Incorrect flight format: Enter the airline code and number with a space (e.g., “SQ 12”) matching your boarding pass exactly.
- Address mismatch: The accommodation address must exactly match your hotel booking confirmation. Copy the address directly from the confirmation email.
- Outdated health data: Travellers must resubmit the SGAC if symptoms change between submission and travel. Failure to update may have legal consequences.
- App or portal errors: Update MyICA to the latest version if you experience crashes. If problems persist, switch to the e-Service portal as an alternative.
- Paying unauthorized services: The SGAC is strictly free of charge. Use only the ICA e-Service or MyICA app. Any third-party site charging a fee is unauthorized and may compromise your personal data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Singapore Arrival Card
What exactly is the Singapore Arrival Card?
The SGAC is a free digital immigration form replacing the paper Disembarkation/Embarkation card. It combines passport data, flight details, accommodation, and a health declaration into one mandatory submission for all foreign nationals entering Singapore.
How many days before arrival do I need to submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
You must submit no later than 3 days before your arrival date in Singapore. For example, arriving on 15 August 2026 requires submission by 12 August 2026 at the latest.
Is the Singapore Arrival Card the same as a Singapore visa?
No. The SGAC is an arrival declaration form, not a visa. Visa requirements involve a separate process. US passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays but must still submit the SGAC before entering the country.
How much does it cost to apply for the Singapore Arrival Card?
Submission is completely free of charge when using the ICA e-Service portal or the MyICA mobile app. Any third-party website charging a fee for this service is unauthorized. As of 2026, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not endorse paid submission services.
Can I submit the Singapore Arrival Card for my children or infants?
Yes. Each child or infant requires their own separate SGAC submission. Parents or guardians submit on their behalf using the “Submit for Others” option in the MyICA app or web portal.
Do I need to submit an SGAC if I am only transiting through Singapore?
No, if you do not pass through immigration clearance. Transit passengers remaining in the airside area of the airport are exempt. If you clear immigration to enter Singapore, submission is mandatory.
What happens if I forget to submit my Singapore Arrival Card before travel?
You may be denied entry into Singapore. ICA strongly advises setting a reminder and submitting 1 to 2 days before your flight.
Can I edit my Singapore Arrival Card after submitting it?
Yes. Log back into the MyICA app or e-Service portal and resubmit with corrected data. The latest submission automatically replaces the previous one.
What should I do if the MyICA app keeps crashing?
Update the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play. If problems persist, use the e-Service web portal at https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard as an alternative.
Do I need to show anything at immigration when I arrive in Singapore?
No physical document, printed form, or QR code is needed. The immigration officer scans your passport, verifies your identity, and confirms your SGAC status in one step.
