The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a mandatory, free digital health and travel declaration required for all foreign visitors entering Singapore. As of 2026, you must submit this form online within three days before your arrival to avoid being denied entry at the border. This guide answers the 30 most common questions US travelers ask about SGAC submission, cost, timing, errors, and entry requirements. Missing the SGAC or submitting incorrect details can result in denied entry at any Singapore checkpoint.
Last updated: August 2026. Information sourced from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For the most current requirements, visit the ICA SG Arrival Card page.
What Is the Singapore Arrival Card?
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free digital arrival declaration replacing the paper Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) card; it is not a visa.
The SGAC replaced the paper DE card on 27 March 2020. It integrates a mandatory Electronic Health Declaration into one digital form managed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The Singapore Arrival Card collects personal details, trip itinerary, and health declarations for border control and disease control purposes.
The SGAC does not grant entry by itself. Visa-required travelers must obtain a separate visa before submitting the Singapore Arrival Card. All foreign visitors entering by air, land, or sea must complete this digital declaration before arrival.
Who Needs to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
All foreign visitors entering Singapore must submit the Singapore Arrival Card, except those holding specific resident statuses at land checkpoints. You can read the full breakdown in our guide to who is exempt from the SGAC.
Exempt categories:
- Singapore citizens and permanent residents entering via land checkpoints (Woodlands or Tuas)
- Long-term pass holders entering via land checkpoints only. This includes holders of a Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), or Work Pass
- Transit passengers who remain airside without clearing immigration
Every traveler, including infants and children, needs an individual SGAC submission with no age exemptions. A parent or guardian fills out the form on behalf of minors. The Group Submission feature on the e-Service portal streamlines submission for multiple travelers on the same trip, but each person receives a separate declaration.
When Should I Submit My Singapore Arrival Card?
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card within three days before your arrival date, including the day of arrival itself. For a detailed breakdown of the 72-hour submission window and deadlines, see our timing guide.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) strictly enforces this window. Do not apply “at least three days before” the portal rejects submissions made outside the valid range. The Singapore Arrival Card remains valid for a single entry only.
| Arrival Date | Earliest Submission Date |
|---|---|
| 15 January 2026 | 13 January 2026 |
| 1 January 2026 | 29 December 2025 |
| 5 August 2026 | 3 August 2026 |
| 28 February 2026 | 26 February 2026 |
How to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card Online
Submit the Singapore Arrival Card via the SGAC e-Service website or the MyICA Mobile app (iOS/Android). Both channels are accessible from any country worldwide. For a complete walkthrough of each channel, see our step-by-step guide on how to use the ICA e-Service portal.
| Feature | MyICA Mobile App | SGAC e-Service Website |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Required (App Store/Google Play) | None (browser-based) |
| Profile Saving | Yes (saves passport data) | No |
| Push Notifications | Yes | No |
| Offline Data Entry | Yes | No |
| Best For | Families and frequent visitors | One-time travelers |
The SGAC e-Service requires no installation and works on any browser. The MyICA Mobile app lets travelers save profiles for faster future submissions, making it the preferred option for frequent visitors and families.
What Information and Documents Are Required for the Singapore Arrival Card?
A valid passport, confirmed flight details, a Singapore accommodation address, and an active email are needed to complete the Singapore Arrival Card form. Refer to our full documents checklist for a detailed list of everything you need before starting.
Required documents before starting:
- Passport with at least 6 months validity from arrival date
- Confirmed flight number and arrival date
- Singapore accommodation address (hotel or residential)
- Active email address for the acknowledgement confirmation
Singapore Arrival Card form sections:
- Passport details number, nationality, expiry date, date of birth (must match the physical passport exactly)
- Personal information full name (as on passport), gender, contact number, email
- Travel information flight number, arrival date, port of entry
- Accommodation hotel name and address or residential address in Singapore
- Health declaration general infectious disease screening (COVID-19-specific questions were removed in 2023; general disease screening remains)
- Criminal record declaration disclosure of prior deportation or criminal history
If your health status changes after submitting the SGAC, ICA requires you to resubmit a new declaration with updated information.
How Much Does the Singapore Arrival Card Cost?
The Singapore Arrival Card is completely free when submitted through the ICA e-Service portal or MyICA Mobile app. For a full breakdown of government fees and pricing, see our guide on Singapore Arrival Card cost in 2026.
Third-party commercial websites may charge $25 USD or more for submission assistance. These services are not affiliated with ICA. If you encounter a website charging a fee, learn how to identify SGAC scams and protect your money. According to ICA: “SGAC submission is free of charge. ICA does not support or endorse services offered by commercial entities assisting to submit the SG Arrival Card at a fee.”
Submitting via the SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app ensures immediate, cost-free compliance with Singapore entry requirements.
Singapore Arrival Card Confirmation, Status & Troubleshooting
ICA sends an acknowledgement email after Singapore Arrival Card submission. No separate approval process exists; the SGAC is a declaration, not an application. No printout is needed at immigration.
Officers access your digital entry directly via your passport in the ICA system. If you do not receive the confirmation email, consult our troubleshooting guide for common submission errors. Otherwise:
- Check spam or junk folders for messages from @ica.gov.sg.
- Verify the email address entered during submission.
- Ensure your network firewall does not block government emails.
- Resubmit a new Singapore Arrival Card if nothing arrives within 30 minutes.
- Contact the ICA automated 24-hour helpline at +65 6391 6100 for persistent issues.
No online status-check portal exists. The SGAC does not feature an approval workflow like a visa or ESTA.
Singapore Arrival Card: Errors, Missing Submissions & Consequences
Correcting Mistakes After Submission
The Singapore Arrival Card system has no edit function. To fix errors such as a wrong passport number or incorrect flight date, submit a completely new SGAC. The latest submission automatically supersedes any previous entry linked to that passport.
What Happens If You Forget to Submit
Failure to submit the Singapore Arrival Card results in being denied entry at the border checkpoint. There is no on-arrival submission option.
Penalties for False Declarations
Submitting false health information is a criminal offense prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act. First-time offenders face fines up to S$10,000 or up to 6 months imprisonment. Repeat offenders risk fines up to S$20,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment. Read more about SGAC penalties and legal consequences.
Singapore Arrival Card Requirements for US and UK Citizens
US and UK passport holders do not need a visa for short stays but must still submit the free Singapore Arrival Card before arrival. For nationality-specific guidance, see our detailed entry guides for US citizens and UK citizens.
Think of the SGAC like a US ESTA: mandatory digital pre-registration, but free. US citizens can stay up to 90 days under the Visa-Free Facility. UK citizens also enter visa-free for short stays. Both nationalities must:
- Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date
- Submit the SGAC within the 3-day submission window
- Clear biometric immigration (fingerprints, facial scan, iris) at the checkpoint; no prior enrollment is required
- Show sufficient funds and proof of onward travel
Travelers entering on a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) cannot work or conduct business in Singapore. After clearing immigration, your entry is recorded as a digital e-Pass. Check your e-Pass validity at the ICA e-Pass Enquiry Portal.
Singapore Arrival Card for Transit, Layovers & Post-Arrival
Transit passengers who stay airside without clearing Singapore immigration do not need the Singapore Arrival Card. For more details, read our guide on whether transit passengers need the SGAC.
| Transit Scenario | Immigration Clearance? | SGAC Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Staying airside, baggage transferred automatically | No | No |
| Budget airline, no baggage transfer (e.g., Scoot, AirAsia) | Yes | Yes |
| Terminal change requiring exit | Yes | Yes |
| Overnight layover or extended stay | Yes | Yes |
At the checkpoint, present the same physical passport used for SGAC submission. Separate customs declarations via the Customs@SG app are required if importing goods exceeding the GST relief threshold. A CBNI declaration is mandatory when carrying physical currency or negotiable instruments exceeding S$20,000 (or foreign equivalent). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you visited high-risk countries within 6 days of arrival, including airport transit over 12 hours.
Additional Singapore Arrival Card Questions
Below are answers to additional questions travelers frequently ask about the Singapore Arrival Card.
Do children and infants need a separate Singapore Arrival Card?
Yes. Every traveler, regardless of age, needs an individual SGAC submission. A parent or guardian fills out the form on behalf of children and infants. Use the Group Submission feature, but each child receives a separate entry declaration.
Can I use the Singapore Arrival Card for multiple trips?
No. The SGAC is a single-use declaration valid for one entry only. Submit a new Singapore Arrival Card for every trip. Frequent visitors can save passport data in the MyICA Mobile app to speed up future submissions.
What happens if my passport details change after submitting?
You cannot edit a submitted SGAC. If you receive a new passport or notice an error, submit a new Singapore Arrival Card with correct details. The system links the declaration to your passport number; the latest submission replaces the previous one.
Do I need to submit the Singapore Arrival Card when leaving Singapore?
No. The SGAC is strictly an arrival declaration. You do not need to submit this form when departing Singapore.
What is the 60-90 day rule in Singapore?
This refers to the maximum stay under the Visa-Free Facility or Short-Term Visit Pass. Most nationalities receive 30 days; US citizens can stay up to 89 days without a visa. Working or conducting business is not permitted.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination certificate?
Yes, if you visited countries with yellow fever transmission risk within 6 days before arrival. This applies even for airport transit exceeding 12 hours in a high-risk country.
What documents do I need at immigration after submitting the SGAC?
Present the same physical passport used for the SGAC submission. No printout of the confirmation email is needed; your submission is linked to your passport in the ICA system.
Can I submit one Singapore Arrival Card for my whole group?
No. Group Submission creates individual SGACs for each member. You still provide separate passport, personal, and health details per person.
What specific health questions does the declaration ask?
The health declaration screens for general infectious disease symptoms, recent travel to affected areas, and contact with infected persons. COVID-19-specific questions were removed from the Singapore Arrival Card form in 2023.
Can I check my Singapore Arrival Card status online?
No online status-check portal exists. The SGAC has no approval workflow. The acknowledgement email confirms successful submission and is sufficient proof.
What if I change my flight details after submitting the SGAC?
Submit a new Singapore Arrival Card with the correct flight information. The latest submission replaces the previous one. There is no penalty for resubmitting.
Do permanent residents need to submit a Singapore Arrival Card?
Singapore permanent residents entering through land checkpoints (Woodlands or Tuas) are exempt. Permanent residents arriving by air must submit the SGAC.
What is the e-Pass in Singapore?
The e-Pass is a digital visit pass replacing the physical entry stamp. After immigration clearance, your Singapore Arrival Card and entry details are recorded electronically. Check validity at the ICA e-Pass Enquiry Portal.
Can I work in Singapore on a Short-Term Visit Pass?
No. The Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) does not permit paid employment, business activity, or professional work. Violating these conditions is a serious immigration offense.
How long does Singapore Arrival Card processing take?
Processing is instantaneous. The acknowledgement email is sent within minutes of submitting via the e-Service or MyICA Mobile app.
Do I need a separate customs declaration for Singapore?
If carrying goods exceeding the GST import relief or duty-free allowance, submit a customs declaration via the CustomsThe request was rejected because it was considered high risk
