The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a fully digital submission — and you do not need to print the Singapore Arrival Card in 2026. Our complete Singapore Arrival Card guide covers everything about the submission, but the key point is simple: the SGAC is processed electronically by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). At immigration, you present only your passport; the system retrieves your record by passport number. Save the QR code as a screenshot or PDF for offline access. No paper printout is needed for border clearance.
What Is the Singapore Arrival Card and Do You Need to Print It?
Printing the Singapore Arrival Card is not required. ICA stores every SGAC submission as an electronic record tied to your passport number. The paper-based embarkation and disembarkation (DE) card was discontinued on 27 March 2020 and replaced entirely by the digital submission.
The SGAC is not a visa; it does not replace visa requirements for nationalities that need one. Submission is free of charge, and all foreign visitors entering Singapore must complete the Singapore Arrival Card within 3 calendar days of arrival, including the arrival day. Required fields include your name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, intended Singapore address, and purpose of visit. Failure to submit may result in denied entry. False declarations can lead to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act. Non-Singapore passports must have at least 6 months of validity from the planned entry date.
Transit passengers who do not seek immigration clearance and Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints are exempt. For official guidelines, consult the ICA SG Arrival Card page.
What Happens at Singapore Immigration: What Do You Actually Show?
At Singapore passport control, present your passport only. The ICA system automatically retrieves your Singapore Arrival Card record without requiring a printout or phone display. Your passport number, entered during submission, serves as the unique identifier in ICA’s database.
- Scan your passport: Approach an automated immigration gate or manned counter at Changi Airport and present your physical travel document.
- System verification: ICA cross-references your passport number against the SGAC database. The officer sees your electronic record instantly.
- Receive your e-Pass: Upon clearance, an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) is emailed to your declared address. Your e-Pass records your entry date, visa conditions, and permitted length of stay, replacing the traditional physical passport stamp.
At Changi Airport, most passengers clear immigration at automated gates. The Singapore Arrival Card verification happens in the background; the entire process takes under 30 seconds.
How to Save Your Singapore Arrival Card QR Code for Offline Access
The Singapore Arrival Card acknowledgement email contains a PDF with your QR code. Save this file or screenshot the code to your phone for offline access.
- Download the PDF: Save the attached file from your confirmation email directly to your smartphone storage.
- Take a screenshot: Capture the QR code in your photo gallery. This digital pass is valid for your single entry and covers the entire duration of your stay.
- Forward the email: Send the PDF to an alternative email address or upload it to cloud storage (Google Drive or iCloud).
- Use the MyICA Mobile app: The app automatically caches your profile and flight data for offline viewing at the airport.
The Singapore Arrival Card QR code does not expire before your declared arrival date, provided you enter within the submission window.
What If You Have No Smartphone or Printer? (Alternatives & Apps)
Travelers without a printer can submit the Singapore Arrival Card online before departure or at Changi Airport using free Wi-Fi.
- Desktop submission: Complete the 5-to-7-minute form on any computer within 3 calendar days before departure.
- Airport kiosks: Use Changi Airport’s free Wi-Fi to submit upon arrival.
- Airline staff assistance: Ask check-in staff at your departure airport to help you complete the submission.
- Changi information counters: Airport staff can assist with SGAC submissions if you are unsure about the process.
- No device at immigration: If your phone dies or is lost, ICA retrieves your Singapore Arrival Card by passport number. No backup is needed at the counter.
SGAC e-Service vs. MyICA Mobile App: Submission Window and Validity
The Singapore Arrival Card can be submitted through two official channels: the browser-based SGAC e-Service or the MyICA Mobile app (iOS and Android).
| Feature | SGAC e-Service (web) | MyICA Mobile app |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any browser | iOS / Android |
| Profile saving | No | Yes, for re-entry |
| Passport scan | No | Yes, auto-imports data |
| Offline caching | No | Caches profile data |
| Group Submission | Yes | Yes |
| Interface language | English | English, Chinese, others |
Frequent travelers benefit from MyICA’s profile-saving and passport scan features. For one-time visitors, the e-Service is sufficient: submit the form and screenshot the QR code for offline access.
Submit within 3 calendar days of arrival (including arrival day), up to 72 hours before landing. Individual submission takes 5 to 7 minutes. You can submit for your entire travel party via Group Submission on one device, entering each person’s passport details separately. The form is always in English, even when the app interface displays another language.
Each Singapore Arrival Card submission is single entry; it covers the entire duration of your stay, and a new card is needed for each visit. If your health status changes after submission, you must resubmit. ICA does not authorize or endorse third-party SGAC submission services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Printing the Singapore Arrival Card in 2026
Is a printed copy of the SGAC accepted at Changi Airport?
A printed QR code is accepted as a personal backup but is never inspected at Changi Airport. Officers access your Singapore Arrival Card record by passport number through the ICA system.
What happens if my phone dies or I lose my device at Singapore immigration?
ICA retrieves your Singapore Arrival Card by passport number. No phone, QR code, or printout is needed to clear immigration at the counter.
Does the SGAC QR code expire before I arrive in Singapore?
The QR code remains valid for your declared arrival date, provided you enter within the three calendar days covered by your submission.
Can I submit the Singapore Arrival Card for my whole family on one device?
Yes. Use Group Submission via the SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app. Each family member receives an individual QR code saved on the same device.
Is the Singapore Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. The SGAC is a health and arrival declaration, not a visa. It does not replace visa requirements for nationalities that need one.
What language is the SGAC form in?
The SGAC form is always in English, even when using the Chinese-language interface of the MyICA Mobile app.
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational website, not affiliated with or endorsed by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Always verify requirements at ica.gov.sg before travel.
Last updated: . Content verified against official ICA publications.
Sources
- ICA, “SG Arrival Card”: ica.gov.sg (accessed July 2026)
- ICA, “Entering Singapore”: ica.gov.sg (accessed July 2026)
- ICA, “e-Services and Forms”: ica.gov.sg (accessed July 2026)