Last verified: 15 September 2026. ICA regulations are subject to change. We review this article quarterly for accuracy.
Transit passengers at Changi Airport who remain in the airside transit area and do not clear immigration are exempt from submitting the SG Arrival Card. Only travellers who pass through immigration must submit the SGAC within three (3) days including the day of arrival before arriving in Singapore. UK passport holders do not need a visa for airside transit at Changi.
Transit passengers staying airside are exempt; those leaving the transit area must clear immigration and submit the SGAC. The system distinguishes between transit and entry passengers based on one factor: whether the traveller clears immigration.
Submission is free only through ICA channels: the SGAC e-Service or the MyICA Mobile app. Commercial submission services are not endorsed by ICA. Verify with your airline whether your baggage is through-checked to confirm your transit status.
Do Transit Passengers Need the SG Arrival Card?
Transit passengers at Changi Airport who remain in the airside transit area and do not clear immigration are exempt from submitting the SG Arrival Card. Only travellers who pass through immigration to collect baggage or leave the airport must submit the SGAC within three (3) days including the day of arrival. UK passport holders do not need a visa for airside transit at Changi.
What Counts as Transit at Changi Airport?
A transit traveller, per ICA transit guidelines (accessed September 2026, section: Transit vs Entry), is someone transiting or transferring without seeking immigration clearance. The SG Arrival Card applies only to those who clear immigration. If you remain in the transit area without seeking immigration clearance, no submission is required.
| Scenario | Clear Immigration? | Submit SGAC? | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transit, through-checked baggage | ✗ No | ✗ No | Airside; no immigration clearance needed |
| Transit with airline baggage transfer service | ✗ No | ✗ No | Bags transferred automatically; stay airside |
| Transit without baggage transfer (LCC: Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Must collect bags and re-check; clears immigration |
| Separate tickets requiring re-check-in | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Must clear immigration to check in for next flight |
| Free Singapore Tour or Jewel Changi visit | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Must leave transit area; immigration clearance required |
| Overnight layover staying airside | ✗ No | ✗ No | Remain in transit area; no clearance needed |
When You Must Clear Immigration and Submit the SG Arrival Card
Three conditions force transit passengers to clear arrival immigration at Changi Airport, triggering the SG Arrival Card requirement.
- No baggage transfer service: if your airline does not automatically transfer checked luggage to your connecting flight, you must clear immigration to collect bags and re-check them.
- Separate tickets: travellers holding two independent bookings must clear immigration to collect onward boarding passes in the Departure Check-In Hall.
- Low Cost Carriers (LCC): carriers such as Scoot, AirAsia, and Jetstar typically require passengers to clear immigration for ticket collection. Verify with your airline before travel.
Low-Cost Carriers and Self-Connecting Flights
If your airline does not provide a baggage transfer service, you must clear Arrival Immigration and claim baggage before re-checking. Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) such as Scoot, AirAsia, and Jetstar typically require passengers to clear immigration to collect onward connecting tickets in the Departure Check-In Hall. Always verify your baggage transfer status directly with your airline before travel.
Leaving the Transit Area: Jewel Changi and Free Singapore Tour
Jewel Changi Airport is located landside, past immigration. Visiting it requires clearing immigration and submitting the SG Arrival Card within three (3) days including the day of arrival. The Free Singapore Tour additionally requires printed proof of SGAC submission. Both attractions are unavailable to passengers who remain airside. Consult the ICA transiting Singapore page (accessed September 2026) for current regulations. ICA has historically adjusted transit rules during health emergencies; monitor the ICA website before travel if connecting from a country with active health advisories.
How to Submit the SG Arrival Card: Process, App, and Key Requirements
The SG Arrival Card is free of charge and must be submitted within three (3) days including the day of arrival before arriving in Singapore via the ICA SGAC e-Service or the MyICA Mobile app. The electronic health declaration is a mandatory component of every submission, requiring travellers to declare their health and travel history. After clearing immigration, eligible travellers receive a Visit Pass (e-Pass) determining the length of stay, which is different from the visa validity period. Automated clearance at Changi uses biometrics (iris, fingerprints, face scan); entry may be denied if biometrics are not provided. The Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF) allows eligible visa-required travellers to transit for up to 96 hours; VFTF users who clear immigration must still submit the SGAC. Use only the ICA channels listed below; commercial submission services are not endorsed by or affiliated with ICA and charge fees for a process that is free through the ICA portal.
Using the MyICA Mobile App: Step by Step
Download the MyICA Mobile app
From Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iOS). Free, with a profile-saving function that auto-populates subsequent trips.
Register or log in
Enter your personal details, including your passport number and full name.
Fill in arrival information and the electronic health declaration
Covering flight itinerary, connecting flight number, port of embarkation, and final destination country.
Submit and save the QR code
Received in the acknowledgement email sent to your declared email address. Present your travel document to the ICA officer at the immigration counter.
Update SGAC if your departure date changes; submit before your flight to avoid entry denial. If you are a transit passenger with a criminal record or a previous overstay in Singapore, the airside exemption may not apply. Contact ICA directly for case-specific advice. Verify current rules on the ICA transit page: ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/transiting-singapore and the UK travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/entry-requirements.
FAQ: Singapore Arrival Card Transit Requirements
Do I need to submit the SG Arrival Card if I am only transiting through Changi Airport?
No. Transit passengers who remain in the airside transit area and do not clear Singapore immigration are exempt from submitting the SGAC. You only need the SG Arrival Card if you intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore.
What happens if I forget to submit the SG Arrival Card before my flight?
If you clear immigration without a submitted SGAC, entry into Singapore may be denied. Submit within three days including the day of arrival before arriving. Always complete your submission prior to your flight.
Is the SG Arrival Card free of charge?
Yes. Official submission via ICA’s SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app costs nothing. Third-party commercial services charge fees but are not endorsed by or affiliated with ICA.
Do UK passport holders need a visa for transit at Changi?
No. UK citizens can transit without a visa and enjoy visa-free entry for short stays of typically 30 to 90 days. The exact length of stay is determined at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Can I visit Jewel Changi Airport during a transit layover?
Yes, but Jewel Changi is located landside, past immigration. You must clear immigration and submit the SG Arrival Card before visiting. The Free Singapore Tour also requires passing through immigration and printed proof of SGAC submission.
What documents do I need for transit at Changi Airport?
A valid passport (minimum 6 months validity for non-Singapore passport holders), a boarding pass for your connecting flight, and the SG Arrival Card only if you clear immigration. All travellers require an individually-issued travel document.
Can I transfer between terminals at Changi without clearing immigration?
Yes. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside. Terminal 4 requires an airside shuttle bus but does not require immigration clearance. You can transfer between terminals without submitting the SG Arrival Card as long as you remain in the transit area.
Is there a third-party service to submit the SG Arrival Card for me?
Paid services exist but are not endorsed or affiliated with ICA. Use only the ICA SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app. Both are free of charge.
