Last updated: August 2026
Thai passport holders must submit the Singapore Electronic Arrival Card (SGAC) before entering Singapore. The SGAC is mandatory for all travellers, including Thai citizens who enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days. Submit it online at ica.gov.sg or via the MyICA Mobile app within three days before arrival. The process is free.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or official immigration advice. Verify the latest requirements on the official ICA website (ica.gov.sg) before travel.
Do Thai Citizens Need a Visa or Singapore Arrival Card in 2026?
Thai citizens enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days under the Visit Pass but must submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) before arrival. The Singapore Arrival Card is a mandatory digital declaration covering travel details and an Electronic Health Declaration; it is not a visa. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
| Direction | Visa-Free Duration | Arrival Card Required |
|---|---|---|
| Thai citizen to Singapore | Up to 30 days | SGAC required |
| Singaporean to Thailand | Up to 60 days (TVES) | TDAC for non-Thai nationals |
Singaporeans visiting Thailand stay up to 60 days under the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (TVES). Thai citizens returning home are exempt from the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which applies only to non-Thai nationals. Holders of an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter must submit the Singapore Arrival Card as foreign visitors.
How to Submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)
Thai passport holders submit the Singapore Arrival Card for free via the SGAC e-Service at ica.gov.sg or the MyICA Mobile app (iOS and Android) within three days (including the day of arrival) before reaching Singapore.
- Access the platform: Open the MyICA app or visit the SGAC e-Service.
- Enter passport details: Input name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth exactly as they appear on the passport.
- Provide travel information: Submit flight number, arrival date, and Singapore accommodation (hotel name and full address, not just city).
- Complete the Electronic Health Declaration: Declare recent travel history and current health status under the Infectious Diseases Act.
- Receive confirmation: The system sends an acknowledgement email upon successful submission. Screenshot the confirmation page as a backup.
Group Submission: One traveller can submit the Singapore Arrival Card for an entire family or travel group through both the SGAC e-Service and the MyICA Mobile app in a single session.
Warning: The SGAC is free via ICA channels. Third-party websites charging around US$25 are not endorsed by ICA and provide no additional value.
Common Mistakes, Penalties and How to Avoid SGAC Rejection
The Singapore Arrival Card requires precise data. Common errors that block Thai citizens at checkpoints:
- Misspelled names compared to the passport
- Incorrect passport number format
- Omitting the mandatory Electronic Health Declaration
- Submitting outside the 3-day window
- Entering insufficient accommodation details (city only, no hotel name or address)
Under the Singapore Immigration Act (Cap. 133) and Infectious Diseases Act, penalties for non-submission or false information in the Singapore Arrival Card are actively enforced:
| Offence | First Offence | Subsequent Offence |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to submit SGAC | Up to S$10,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment | Up to S$20,000 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment |
| False information in SGAC | Up to S$10,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment | Up to S$20,000 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment |
Before submitting, verify: passport name spelling, passport number, arrival date, health declaration completed, and accommodation details filled.
SGAC vs TDAC: What Thai Passport Holders Need for Each Direction
Thai citizens must submit the Singapore Arrival Card for every Singapore entry but are exempt from the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). The TDAC, launched 1 May 2025, applies exclusively to non-Thai nationals entering Thailand.
| Feature | SGAC (Singapore) | TDAC (Thailand) |
|---|---|---|
| Who must submit | All travellers, including Thai citizens | All non-Thai nationals |
| Deadline | Within 3 days before arrival | Within 3 days before arrival |
| Cost | Free (ICA channels) | Free |
| Where to submit | ica.gov.sg / MyICA Mobile app | tdac.immigration.go.th |
| Confirmation | Acknowledgement email | Acknowledgement email |
Trip sequence for a Bangkok to Singapore round trip:
- Depart Thailand: No TDAC needed (you are Thai)
- Arrive in Singapore: SGAC mandatory (submit before arrival)
- Depart Singapore: No exit card needed
- Arrive back in Thailand: No TDAC needed (you are Thai)
Travel Routes and Singapore Immigration Process
Direct flights from Bangkok (BKK/DMK) to Singapore (SIN) take approximately two hours and twenty minutes. The Singapore Arrival Card is required regardless of transport mode. Land border entries via Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints from Malaysia require the same SGAC submission. Residents (Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders) at these land checkpoints are exempt.
At Singapore immigration, officers verify SGAC data electronically. Carry your passport and a phone with the acknowledgement email as backup. The electronic Singapore Arrival Card replaced the paper Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) card on 27 March 2020; no paper option exists. Transit passengers who do not clear Singapore immigration are exempt from the SGAC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Singapore Arrival Card free to submit?
Yes. The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is free via ica.gov.sg or the MyICA Mobile app. Third-party services charging around US$25 are not endorsed by ICA.
What if I do not receive a confirmation email after submitting the SGAC?
Check your spam folder and verify the email address entered. Allow up to 24 hours, then safely re-submit; duplicate submissions do not cause issues.
Do I need a new SGAC every time I enter Singapore?
Yes. Each entry into Singapore requires a separate SGAC submission. Frequent Thai travellers must submit a new card before every trip.
Can my family submit the SGAC together?
Yes. The ICA system offers a Group Submission feature through both the SGAC e-Service and the MyICA Mobile app for families and travel groups.
What happens if I provide false information on the SGAC?
False information is punishable under the Immigration Act and Infectious Diseases Act, with fines up to S$10,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months for a first offence, doubling for subsequent offences.
Is the SGAC the same as the old paper arrival card?
No. The SGAC replaced the paper Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) card on 27 March 2020. There is no paper option; all submissions must be digital before arrival.
Do Thai citizens need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
No. The TDAC (launched 1 May 2025) applies exclusively to non-Thai nationals. Thai citizens are exempt; only the outbound SGAC is needed.
What documents should I have ready before filling in the SGAC?
Prepare a valid Thai passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity, your flight number and arrival date, Singapore accommodation details, and an active email address for the Singapore Arrival Card acknowledgement.
Sources
- ICA SG Arrival Card page: ica.gov.sg
- For a complete overview, see our Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC): Complete Guide for 2026.
- To check deadlines and the 72-hour window, read about when to submit your Singapore Arrival Card.
- The SGAC process, mandatory fields, and conditions are detailed in our Singapore Arrival Card requirements guide.
- Learn more about the Singapore Arrival Card health declaration process.
- For a full document checklist, consult our Singapore Arrival Card documents guide.
