If you are a foreign national visiting Singapore, the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is one of the first things you need to arrange before your trip. This guide explains everything tourists and foreign visitors need to know about the SGAC — from who needs it to how to submit it and what happens at immigration.
Do foreigners need the SG Arrival Card?
Yes. Every foreign visitor entering Singapore must submit the SGAC before arrival. This applies regardless of:
- Your nationality
- Whether you need a visa or are visa-exempt
- The length of your stay
- Your purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit, etc.)
The only exception is transit passengers who remain in the airport’s transit area and do not clear Singapore immigration. If you leave the transit area — even to catch a connecting flight in a different terminal — you need the SGAC.
SGAC is not a visa
A common misconception is that the SGAC replaces a visa. It does not. The two documents serve different purposes:
- SG Arrival Card — A mandatory declaration form for all travellers. It records your travel details and health status. It is free.
- Visa — An entry permit required by certain nationalities. It must be obtained before travel through a Singapore embassy or the ICA e-Visa system.
If your passport requires a visa for Singapore, you must get the visa first. Then submit the SGAC separately. Having a visa does not exempt you from the SGAC, and having an SGAC does not replace a visa.
Which nationalities need a visa for Singapore?
Many countries have visa-free access to Singapore for stays of 30 to 90 days. Some common examples:
Visa-free for 90 days:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- South Korea
- Germany
- France
- New Zealand
Visa-free for 30 days:
- Hong Kong SAR
- Macao SAR
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Philippines (select cases)
Visa required:
- India
- China (PRC)
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Check the ICA website for the most current visa requirements for your nationality.
How to submit the SGAC as a foreign visitor
The process is the same for all foreign visitors:
- Go to eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or download the MyICA app
- Select “Foreign Visitor — SGAC”
- Enter your passport details exactly as they appear on your passport
- Add your travel information (flight number, arrival date, accommodation)
- Complete the health declaration
- Submit
The whole process takes 5 to 7 minutes. You receive a confirmation email with your electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) shortly after submission.
When to submit as a tourist
Submit your SGAC within 3 days before your arrival date. For most tourists, this means submitting 1 to 2 days before your flight.
Do not submit more than 3 days in advance — the system will reject it. Do not wait until you are at the airport — while technically possible, it causes unnecessary stress and delays.
A good practice is to submit the SGAC the evening before your flight.
What happens at Singapore immigration
When you arrive at Changi Airport or any Singapore checkpoint:
- Join the immigration queue for foreign visitors
- Present your passport to the ICA officer
- The officer retrieves your SGAC and e-Pass electronically using your passport number
- Your fingerprints may be scanned
- The officer stamps your passport with your allowed stay duration (usually 30 days for visa-free nationals)
- You collect your luggage and proceed through customs
You do not need to show a printed SGAC confirmation. Everything is electronic. However, keeping the confirmation email on your phone is a sensible backup.
The electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass)
After clearing immigration, foreign visitors receive an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) instead of a physical stamp in some cases. The e-Pass records:
- Your allowed stay duration
- The date you must leave Singapore
- Your entry conditions
You can check your e-Pass details at any time through the MyICA app or the ICA e-Service.
Accommodation requirements for tourists
You must provide a Singapore address on your SGAC. For tourists, this is usually:
- Your hotel name and address
- A hostel or guesthouse address
- A serviced apartment address
- A friend or family member’s residential address
If you have not booked accommodation yet, you can enter a placeholder address and update it later. However, having a confirmed booking makes the process smoother.
Health declaration for foreign visitors
The SGAC includes a health declaration section. As a foreign visitor, you must answer:
- Whether you have visited Africa or Latin America in the past 6 days
- Whether you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath
If you answer yes to either question, you may be directed to a health screening station upon arrival. This is a routine check and does not necessarily mean you will be denied entry.
What if your SGAC is rejected
SGAC rejections are rare but can happen for several reasons:
- Passport details do not match (typo in passport number or name)
- Submission made outside the 3-day window
- Invalid flight number
- Missing accommodation address
If your submission is rejected, correct the error and resubmit. There is no limit on the number of submissions.
Multiple entries and repeat visits
Each SGAC is valid for a single entry. If you leave Singapore and return, you need to submit a new SGAC for each entry. For example:
- Day 1: Arrive in Singapore (submit SGAC #1)
- Day 3: Day trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Day 3: Return to Singapore in the evening (submit SGAC #2 before returning)
The MyICA app makes repeat submissions faster because you can save your passport details.
Penalties for foreign visitors
Foreign visitors face the same penalties as everyone else for SGAC violations:
- Failure to submit: Fine up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months
- False information: Same penalties apply
In addition, immigration officers can deny entry to any foreign visitor, even with a valid SGAC and visa. The SGAC does not guarantee entry to Singapore.
Tips for first-time visitors
- Submit your SGAC the evening before your flight
- Double-check your passport number — a single digit wrong causes delays
- Keep the confirmation email accessible on your phone
- Have your hotel booking confirmation handy for the address field
- If travelling with family, submit everyone’s SGAC together using the group feature
- Download the MyICA app before your trip for easy access
