Singapore Arrival Card — Complete Guide 2026

Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a mandatory electronic declaration that every traveller must submit before entering Singapore. Introduced by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in March 2020, the SGAC replaced the old paper disembarkation and embarkation card. It combines immigration clearance details with an electronic health declaration, all handled online.

The SGAC is not a visa. Even passport holders from visa-free countries still need to complete the form before arrival. Submitting the card does not guarantee entry — an ICA officer makes the final decision at the checkpoint.

This guide covers who needs the SG Arrival Card, how to submit it, what documents you need, deadlines, fees, and the most common mistakes travellers make.

Who needs to submit the SG Arrival Card

Almost every person entering Singapore must submit the SGAC. This includes:

• Foreign tourists on short visits
• Business travellers
• Transit passengers who clear immigration
• Long-term pass holders arriving by air or sea
• Work permit holders, student pass holders, and dependant pass holders entering by air or sea

The only exceptions are:

• Transit passengers who remain in the transit area and do not clear immigration
• Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents entering through land checkpoints (Woodlands or Tuas)
• Long-term pass holders entering through land checkpoints

If you are arriving at Changi Airport or by cruise, you must submit the SGAC regardless of your nationality.

How to submit the SG Arrival Card online

There are two official ways to submit the SGAC:

Option 1: ICA e-Service website

1. Visit the official ICA SG Arrival Card e-Service at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard
2. Select your traveller type — Foreign Visitor or Singapore Resident
3. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport
4. Provide your travel information: arrival date, flight number, mode of transport
5. Enter your accommodation address in Singapore
6. Complete the health declaration section
7. Review all information and submit

The entire process takes about 5 to 7 minutes for an individual submission.

Option 2: MyICA Mobile App

1. Download the MyICA app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an account or log in
3. Select “Submit SG Arrival Card”
4. Fill in the same details as the website version
5. Submit and save your confirmation

The mobile app lets you store passport details for repeat visits, making future submissions faster.

After submission, you receive a confirmation email. For foreign visitors, this includes an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) that replaces the old passport stamp.

When to submit the SG Arrival Card

You can submit the SGAC within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date, including the day of arrival itself. For example, if you arrive on Friday, you can submit from Wednesday onwards.

There is no benefit to submitting earlier — the system will not accept submissions more than 3 days in advance. However, do not wait until the last minute. Submit at least 24 hours before your flight to allow time for any issues.

If your travel plans change after submission, you can update your SGAC through the same e-Service or app.

What documents you need

To complete the SG Arrival Card, you need:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity from your arrival date
• Your flight number or vessel details
• Your accommodation address in Singapore (hotel name and address, or residential address)
• Contact information (email address and phone number)
• Travel details: arrival date, departure date, countries visited before Singapore

You do not need to upload any documents for the standard SGAC submission. The system verifies your information against airline and immigration records.

SG Arrival Card fees

The official SG Arrival Card submitted through ICA is completely free. There is no charge for using the ICA e-Service website or the MyICA mobile app.

Be cautious of third-party websites that charge fees for SGAC submission. These are not affiliated with ICA and often charge 25 USD or more for a service that is free through official channels. Always use eservices.ica.gov.sg or the official MyICA app.

Penalties for not submitting

Failing to submit the SG Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore carries serious penalties:

• First offence: Fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months
• Subsequent offences: Fine of up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months

Providing false information on the SGAC carries the same penalties. ICA officers verify your declaration at the checkpoint, and inconsistencies can lead to denial of entry, fines, or prosecution.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many travellers make simple errors that cause delays or rejections:

• Wrong passport details — Your name and passport number must match your passport exactly, including middle names
• Incorrect arrival date — The system checks against your flight booking
• Missing accommodation details — You must provide a valid Singapore address, even for short transit stays
• Submitting too early — The system rejects submissions made more than 3 days before arrival
• Using third-party sites — Only use the official ICA website or MyICA app to avoid unnecessary charges

SG Arrival Card vs visa

The SGAC and a visa are separate requirements. The arrival card is a declaration form that every traveller needs, while a visa is an entry permit required only by certain nationalities.

If your passport requires a visa for Singapore, you must obtain the visa first and then submit the SGAC separately. Holding a valid visa does not exempt you from the SGAC requirement.

Check the ICA website to see if your nationality requires a visa for Singapore.

Health declaration included in the SGAC

Since 2020, the SGAC includes an electronic health declaration. You must answer questions about:

• Whether you have visited Africa or Latin America in the past 6 days
• Whether you currently have fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, or vomiting

If you answer yes to any health questions, you may be subject to additional screening upon arrival. The health declaration is integrated into the SGAC form, so you complete everything in one submission.

Arriving by land from Malaysia

Travellers entering Singapore through the land checkpoints at Woodlands or Tuas have different rules:

• Singapore Citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders do not need to submit the SGAC for land entry
• Foreign visitors entering by land must still submit the SGAC within 3 days before arrival

If you are driving or taking a bus from Johor Bahru, make sure you have submitted your SGAC before reaching the checkpoint.

Group and family submissions

The ICA e-Service allows group submissions. You can add multiple travellers under one submission session, which is useful for families or tour groups. Each person still needs their own SGAC, but you can enter all details together and submit in one go.

For the MyICA mobile app, you can save profiles for family members to speed up future submissions.

After submission — what happens next

Once you submit the SGAC:

1. You receive a confirmation email with your submission reference
2. The system processes your declaration automatically
3. At the immigration checkpoint, the officer retrieves your e-Pass electronically
4. Your passport is stamped with the visit duration (usually 30 days for visa-free nationals)

You do not need to print anything. The e-Pass is linked to your passport number. However, keeping a copy of the confirmation email on your phone is recommended in case of technical issues.

Frequently asked questions

Related articles

• How to Submit the SG Arrival Card Online — Step by Step
• Singapore Arrival Card Requirements — Documents and Eligibility
• SG Arrival Card for Foreigners — What Tourists Need to Know
• Singapore Arrival Card FAQ — Answers to Common Questions