The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free, mandatory electronic form every foreign visitor must submit within 3 days before arriving in Singapore. Completing it takes 5 to 10 minutes via the ICA e-Service portal (eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/) or the MyICA Mobile app. After submission, you receive a confirmation email containing your DE Number and a PDF attachment with a QR code, required for immigration clearance.
Visit the portal or app
Access eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or use the MyICA Mobile app.
Enter passport details
Provide your personal and passport information.
Add travel information
Enter flight information and Singapore accommodation address.
Complete health declaration
Fill out the electronic health declaration.
Review, submit & save
Review entries, click Submit, and save the confirmation email with your DE Number.
This guide explains how to fill out the Singapore Arrival Card online in 2026, covering each form section, required documents, common mistakes, and troubleshooting steps. British Citizens, who are visa-exempt for stays up to 30 days, need only complete the SGAC before travel.
What Is the SG Arrival Card & When to Submit
The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free electronic form replacing the paper Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) card, discontinued on 27 March 2020. Administered by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the SGAC requires every foreign visitor entering Singapore by air, sea, or land to submit personal, travel, and health data before arrival. The SGAC is not a visa and is free of charge.
SGAC must be submitted within 3 days before arrival, including arrival day (e.g., arrival 18 September 2026 → submit from 15 September 2026 onwards). Earlier submissions are rejected by the system. Submit via the ICA e-Service portal at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or the MyICA Mobile application. The SGAC is valid for one entry only; a new form must be submitted for each subsequent arrival.
Who Must Submit the SG Arrival Card (and Who Doesn’t)
All foreign visitors entering Singapore must submit the SGAC, regardless of transport mode. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders (Work Pass, Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass) are exempt only at land checkpoints (Woodlands and Tuas); if arriving by air or sea, they must still submit the electronic health declaration. Transit passengers not seeking immigration clearance are exempt.
| Traveller Type | Transport Mode | SGAC Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign visitor | Air, sea, or land | Yes – full SGAC |
| Singapore Citizen / PR / Long-Term Pass holder | Land (Woodlands, Tuas) | No – exempt |
| Singapore Citizen / PR / Long-Term Pass holder | Air or sea | Electronic health declaration only |
| Transit passenger (no immigration clearance) | Any | No – exempt |
Documents and Information You Need Before You Start
The SGAC online form requires valid passport details, confirmed flight or ferry arrival information, and the full address of your accommodation in Singapore. The web form does not save progress mid-way, so gather everything before starting.
- Passport: full name exactly as printed, passport number, date of birth, nationality; non-Singapore passport holders need minimum 6 months validity from date of entry.
- Flight or ferry details: flight number in IATA format (2 letters + 4 digits, e.g. BA0007), arrival date, port of embarkation.
- Singapore accommodation address: hotel name + street + postal code, or full address of your host.
- Email address: mandatory – the SGAC confirmation PDF and DE Number are sent here.
- Phone number: active contact for arrival.
- Health declaration prep: current symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, rash, loss of taste/smell), countries visited in past 21 days, and vaccination status.
How to Fill Out the SG Arrival Card – Step by Step
Step 1 – Access the SGAC Portal
Access via eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or the free MyICA Mobile app (App Store, Google Play). Select Foreign Visitors and accept the terms. Supported browsers: Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari. Never use fee-charging third-party sites.
Step 2 – Enter Your Personal Details
Enter full name, nationality (select “British Citizen” for UK passports), passport number (9 digits, no spaces), date of birth, and sex exactly as printed in your passport. Special characters (hyphens, apostrophes) are accepted.
Step 3 – Add Your Travel Information
Select transport mode (air, sea, or land). For flights, enter flight number in IATA format (2 letters + 4 digits, e.g. BA0007, no spaces), arrival date, and port of embarkation.
Step 4 – Complete the Health Declaration
Report symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, rash, loss of taste or smell. Provide 21-day travel history and declare contact with infected persons. A false declaration is an offence under Singapore’s Infectious Diseases Act. Fill out the electronic health declaration accurately and completely.
Step 5 – Review, Submit & Save Your Confirmation
Review all entries, click Submit, and the system generates a DE Number delivered via email with a PDF containing a QR code. Save the PDF on your phone. If the email does not arrive within 15 minutes, check your spam folder.
MyICA Mobile App vs Web Browser & Group Submission
| Feature | Web Browser | MyICA Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Not required | Required (email + phone + OTP verification) |
| Download | None | Free from App Store and Google Play |
| Group submission | Not available (one form per person) | Supported (add family members or friends under one account) |
| Profile saving | Not available | Saves profiles for auto-population on future trips |
| Device access | Any device with a supported browser | iOS or Android device required |
Every traveller, including infants and children of any age, requires a separate SGAC. On the web browser, submit each individually. On the MyICA Mobile app, the group submission feature lets you add family member profiles with individual passport details. For children without a personal email address, use the parent or guardian’s email and phone number.
After You Submit – Confirmation and What Happens at Immigration
After SGAC submission, ICA sends a confirmation email with a DE Number and PDF attachment, typically within minutes. At immigration, present your passport to the ICA officer; your SGAC data is cross-referenced electronically. Automated clearance lanes are available at Changi Airport for eligible travellers with ICAO-compliant passports.
Since 11 March 2022, all foreign visitors receive an e-Pass digitally via email stating the last day of allowed stay, with no physical stamp in the passport. Check your Visit Pass validity through the e-Pass Enquiry Portal on the ICA website.
After Submission, Troubleshooting & Error Recovery
Use Update SGAC on the ICA portal to correct passport, travel, or health fields without re-filing; the updated version replaces the original submission.
For OTP failures on the MyICA Mobile app: check your spam folder, disable any VPN, and retry. If the SGAC system is down, retry after 15 to 30 minutes. For lost confirmation emails, use Update SGAC to re-generate the PDF, or contact the ICA automated answering service at +65 6391 6100 (available 24 hours) with your passport number and arrival date.
Non-submission carries the risk of possible denial of entry. At the airport, ICA staff may assist with on-site completion, though this may cause significant delays. Submit the SGAC 1 to 2 days before travel to avoid last-minute issues.
Fees, Scams & Guidance for UK Travellers
SGAC is free. Legitimate channels: only eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard and the MyICA Mobile app. Any site charging a fee is a scam; websites mimicking ICA URLs or requesting payment should be treated as fraudulent.
British Citizens holding UK passports are visa-exempt for stays up to 30 days; the SGAC is the only pre-arrival registration required. UK passports use a 9-digit passport number – enter without spaces. Every traveller, including infants and children of any age, requires a separate SGAC submission; use the parent or guardian’s email for children who do not have their own.
| Feature | SGAC (Singapore) | UK ETA | US ESTA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Electronic arrival card | Electronic travel authority | Electronic travel authorization |
| Cost | Free | Fee applies | Fee applies |
| Submission window | Within 3 days before arrival | Pre-travel authorisation | Pre-travel authorisation |
| Destination | Singapore | United Kingdom | United States |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How far in advance can I submit the Singapore Arrival Card?
SGAC must be submitted within 3 days before arrival, including arrival day. For example, if your flight arrives on 18 September 2026, submit from 15 September 2026 onwards. Earlier submissions are rejected by the system. Submitting 1 to 2 days before departure is recommended.
Do I need to print the Singapore Arrival Card confirmation?
Printing is not required but recommended as backup. The DE Number confirmation is delivered as a PDF via email – save it on your phone. At immigration, your passport is cross-referenced electronically with your SGAC data. Both printed and digital copies are accepted at checkpoints.
What if I made a mistake on my Singapore Arrival Card?
Use Update SGAC on the ICA e-Service portal to correct errors without re-filing. You can amend personal details, passport number, flight information, accommodation address, and health declaration. If portal access is unavailable, contact ICA at +65 6391 6100 (24 hours).
Is the Singapore Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. The SGAC is an electronic arrival card comprising an immigration and health declaration, not a visa. British Citizens do not need a visa for Singapore stays up to 30 days. The SGAC is an additional registration requirement, independent of visa status, and is free of charge.
How many SG Arrival Cards do I need for my family?
Every person, including infants and children of any age, requires a separate SGAC. There is no joint family form on the web browser. The MyICA Mobile app supports group submission: add family member profiles under one account, entering each person’s individual passport data.
What information do I need to complete the Singapore Arrival Card?
You need: passport number and expiry date, nationality, flight number in IATA format (e.g. BA0007, no spaces), arrival date, full Singapore accommodation address (hotel name + street + postal code), email address, and health declaration answers (symptoms, 21-day travel history). Gather all data before starting – the web form does not save progress mid-way.
Can I update my Singapore Arrival Card after submitting it?
Yes. Use Update SGAC on the ICA portal to modify personal information, passport number, travel details, accommodation address, and health declaration. The updated version replaces the original submission; no need to file a new card.
What happens if I forgot to submit my SG Arrival Card before arriving at the airport?
Non-submission carries the risk of possible denial of entry. At the airport, ICA staff may assist with on-site completion, though this is rare and may cause significant delays. Contact ICA at +65 6391 6100 (24 hours) for guidance. Submit 1 to 2 days before travel to avoid this situation.
Sources & References
This guide was last verified against the ICA e-Service portal on 15 September 2026. Primary sources: ICA SGAC page (last updated 25 June 2026), eservices.ica.gov.sg, Singapore Infectious Diseases Act, ICA press releases.
Editorial Policy & Transparency
This article is independently researched and written. We are not affiliated with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. We do not accept payment for positive coverage. Our content is reviewed for accuracy before publication. Last fact-checked: September 2026.
Published: September 2026 | Last updated: September 2026 | Next scheduled review: March 2027. Written by the editorial team at our travel information portal, with 8+ years of experience covering Southeast Asian immigration policies.
