Last updated: August 2026.
When comparing the Singapore Arrival Card vs disembarkation card, the core change is this: Singapore’s paper “white card” was discontinued on 27 March 2020. In 2026, the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC), a free electronic form submitted online within three days before arrival, is the mandatory replacement managed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). You can learn more about the SGAC in our complete guide to the Singapore Arrival Card.
Singapore Arrival Card vs Disembarkation Card: Key Differences at a Glance
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free electronic form that replaced Singapore’s paper disembarkation card (“white card”) on 27 March 2020. The SGAC is not a visa. It is a mandatory digital arrival declaration managed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on the Singapore Arrival Card vs visa.
| Feature | Paper DE Card (Before March 2020) | SG Arrival Card (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Common Name | White card | SGAC |
| Format | Physical paper | Digital declaration |
| When Filled | During flight | Within 3 days before arrival |
| What Info Required | Passport, name, nationality, flight number, purpose of visit | Same + contact details, Singapore address, health declaration (eHDC) |
| Submission Method | Handed to immigration officer | ICA e-Service or MyICA app |
| Confirmation | None | DE number + acknowledgment email |
| Cost | Free | Free of charge |
| Processing | Manual review by officer | Instant; automated clearance at Changi |
The SGAC integrates an electronic health declaration (eHDC) that the paper card never included. Learn more about this mandatory step in our guide on the Singapore Arrival Card health declaration. Automated clearance at Changi Airport is available to all SGAC holders, including first-time visitors, with no prior enrollment needed.
History and Discontinuation of the Paper Disembarkation Card
For decades, travelers arriving in Singapore received a paper-based disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card on the plane or at the checkpoint. This “white card” required passengers to handwrite their passport number, full name, nationality, flight number, and visit purpose, then submit it to an immigration officer upon landing.
On 27 March 2020, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) discontinued the paper DE card. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward contactless border processing. The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) eliminated shared paper forms and pen exchanges between passengers and officers.
The SGAC integrated an electronic health declaration (eHDC) directly into the arrival process, allowing ICA to screen travelers’ health status before they reached the checkpoint. ICA’s dual goal was public health protection and faster immigration clearance through digital data integration.
As of 2026, the eHDC no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination proof or pre-departure testing, requirements that were in place during 2021 to 2023. The current eHDC collects basic health screening information. Verify the latest requirements on the ICA website before departure.
How the SGAC Changed the Entry Process for Travelers
Travelers now submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) online within three days before arrival, completing it in approximately 5 to 10 minutes instead of handwriting a paper card during the flight. If you are planning your trip, review our guide to the 72-hour submission window to avoid any issues.
Old process (before March 2020):
- Board the plane and receive a physical white card
- Fill it out by hand during the flight
- Hand the completed card to an immigration officer upon arrival
New process (2026):
- Open the SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app (available on Apple App Store and Google Play)
- Submit details online within the 3-day window
- Receive a DE number and acknowledgment email
- Proceed through automated clearance gates at Changi Airport
If arriving on Monday, you can submit the SGAC starting Saturday. The MyICA Mobile app includes a profile-saving function that auto-populates your information for subsequent trips. Group submission is available for families and groups, though each traveler’s passport details must be entered individually. For a complete walkthrough, see our step-by-step application guide.
Who Needs to Submit the SG Arrival Card
All travelers entering Singapore must submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC). The information required depends on your residency status. Our requirements page details who must submit and the mandatory fields.
- Foreign visitors: Submit arrival information and a health declaration
- Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents: Submit health declaration only
- Long-Term Pass holders: Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, and Work Pass holders submit full arrival information and health declaration
- Crew members: Submit arrival information and health declaration
Exemptions: Travelers transiting without clearing immigration do not need to submit the SGAC. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders entering by land at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints are also exempt. More details are on our exemptions page.
Failure to submit the SGAC before arrival may result in extended manual processing, on-the-spot submission required by ICA officers, or potential entry refusal under the Immigration Act 1959 (Cap. 133, Section 8).
What Information Do You Need to Fill In the SGAC
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) electronic form on the ICA e-Service requires the following fields:
- Full name (as per passport)
- Passport or travel document number
- Nationality / country of citizenship
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Date of arrival
- Flight number or mode of transport
- Singapore address (hotel or residential, including postal code)
- Contact number
- Email address
- Electronic health declaration (eHDC)
Name must match your passport exactly. Have your hotel details and six-digit postal code ready, the system rejects submissions without a valid Singapore address.
The SGAC is completely free of charge. Several third-party websites mimic the ICA portal and charge USD $15 to $40 for the same free submission. Learn how to identify and avoid these scams in our article on the Singapore Arrival Card scam. Only use the official ICA e-Service or the official MyICA Mobile app. Verify any website by confirming its URL ends in .gov.sg.
Singapore Arrival Card vs Disembarkation Card: Common Misconceptions
The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is frequently misunderstood. Four common misconceptions:
The SGAC Is a Visa
The SGAC is not a visa. It is a mandatory electronic arrival declaration and health form. If your nationality requires a Singapore visa, apply separately.
You Must Print the Confirmation
No printing required. Your details and DE number are stored electronically in the ICA system. Immigration officers access your digital arrival record when scanning your passport.
The SGAC Covers Departure Too
The Singapore Arrival Card is an arrival-only requirement. Singapore abolished departure cards entirely, there is no embarkation form to fill out.
A Smartphone Is Mandatory
The SGAC e-Service works on any standard web browser via eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard. The MyICA Mobile app is optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Failure to submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) before arrival can result in extended manual processing or entry refusal. False health declarations may lead to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act.
What happens if I don’t submit the Singapore Arrival Card before arrival?
Extended manual processing at immigration. ICA officers may require on-the-spot SGAC submission on your personal device. Under the Immigration Act 1959 (Cap. 133, Section 8), non-compliance could result in entry refusal.
When exactly can I submit the SGAC, and how long does it take?
Within a three-day window before arrival, including the day of arrival. If arriving Monday, submit starting Saturday. The electronic submission takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Do I need to print my Singapore Arrival Card after submitting online?
No. Your details and DE number are stored electronically in the ICA system. You receive an acknowledgment email, but immigration officers access your digital arrival record automatically when scanning your passport.
Is the Singapore Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. The SGAC is an electronic arrival declaration, not a visa. If your nationality requires a Singapore visa, apply separately before completing the SGAC.
What is the “white card” people mention when talking about Singapore immigration?
The common name for the old paper-based disembarkation card that travelers filled out by hand on the plane. It was discontinued in March 2020 and fully replaced by the digital Singapore Arrival Card.
Can I edit my SGAC after I have already submitted it?
Direct edits are generally not permitted after final submission. For major errors (passport number, flight number), submit a new SGAC. If your health status changes, resubmit the electronic health declaration.
Do children need a separate Singapore Arrival Card?
Yes. Each child requires their own SGAC. Use the group submission feature in the MyICA app or e-Service to submit for the whole family in one session.
Is the SGAC required if I am only transiting through Singapore?
Not if you remain in the transit area without clearing immigration. If your layover requires passing through passport control to recheck baggage, you must submit the SGAC.
What penalties apply for false declarations on the SGAC?
Under the Infectious Diseases Act 1977 (Cap. 137, Section 46), false health declarations can result in fines up to SGD 10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
Does the Singapore Arrival Card apply at land border crossings too?
Yes, for foreign visitors. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders are exempt at Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints.
