The SG Arrival Card vs health declaration distinction is straightforward: the electronic health declaration is a built-in section of the SG Arrival Card, not a separate form. The SGAC replaced the paper disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card on 27 March 2020, 0900 hours SGT, developed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) with MOH consulting input. Travellers submit both arrival data and health details together, free of charge (0 SGD), within three (3) calendar days including the day of arrival before reaching Singapore. The SGAC e-Service beta trial began in August 2019; over 560,000 electronic records were cleared by February 2020. Requirements verified against ICA’s SGAC page (last updated 25 June 2026).
How the Health Declaration Fits Inside the SG Arrival Card
The SG Arrival Card combines immigration data and the electronic health declaration into one digital form. The SGAC is not a visa; it is a mandatory pre-arrival declaration required regardless of visa-free entry status. All arriving travellers, including Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders, must submit the integrated health declaration via the SG Arrival Card.
What Health Questions Does the Declaration Actually Ask?
The SG Arrival Card health section asks about symptoms: fever, cough, respiratory illness, and loss of taste or smell. Travellers must also disclose countries visited in the past 14-21 days, contact with confirmed infectious disease cases, and vaccination certificates. A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required if arriving within 6 days of passing through endemic countries. False declarations risk prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act.
How to Submit the SG Arrival Card with Health Declaration
Choose category
Select Resident or Visitor category
Enter details
Provide passport and flight details
Complete health section
Fill in the embedded health declaration
Review and submit
Submit the combined form
Group submission is available for groups travelling together. Transit or transfer passengers who do not seek immigration clearance are exempt from the SG Arrival Card requirement.
Submission Channels: Website vs Mobile App
The SGAC e-Service at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard is browser-based (Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) with no installation required. The MyICA Mobile application is a free download on iOS and Android that saves user profiles to auto-populate information for subsequent trips. Both are official ICA channels, free of charge (0 SGD).
The 3-Day Submission Window
For example, arrival on 30 June allows submission from 28 June onwards. A flight delayed past midnight into a new date does not invalidate the existing SG Arrival Card submission; the three-day window is based on the declared arrival date, and no re-submission is required for schedule changes caused by flight delays.
SG Arrival Card vs Visa vs Paid Agencies for UK Travellers
UK citizens have visa-free entry (up to 90 days) but must still submit the SG Arrival Card and hold a passport valid for at least 6 months. British passport holders must also present proof of onward travel and sufficient funds at the immigration counter.
| Feature | SG Arrival Card | Visa | Third-Party Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pre-arrival declaration (immigration + electronic health declaration) | Permission to enter Singapore | Paid assistance completing the SGAC |
| Cost | Free of charge (0 SGD) | Varies by visa type | Charges a fee |
| Mandatory for UK citizens? | Yes | No (visa-free up to 90 days) | No |
Commercial SGAC assistance entities charge fees for a service the ICA provides free; they are not supported, endorsed, or affiliated by or with ICA.
After You Submit: Confirmation and Arrival at Changi
After completing the SG Arrival Card, travellers receive an acknowledgement email with a PDF containing the SGAC number and QR code. All travellers with a valid ICAO-compliant passport are eligible for automated clearance lanes (e-gates), which capture biometrics: fingerprint, facial recognition, and iris scan. If symptoms are declared, travellers may be referred to secondary health screening at the terminal level, which can include rapid diagnostic testing; the Ministry of Health may initiate contact tracing for suspected or confirmed cases. Collected health data is also used as medical history for reference by staff at local healthcare institutions. If health status changes between submission and arrival, travellers must re-submit via the Update SGAC feature on the e-Service.
FAQ: SG Arrival Card and Integrated Health Declaration
Is the health declaration a separate form from the SG Arrival Card?
No. The electronic health declaration is a built-in section of the SG Arrival Card (SGAC), not a standalone document. One form, one submission, one process.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Singapore?
No. UK passport holders enjoy visa-free entry (up to 90 days). The SG Arrival Card is still mandatory regardless of visa status.
Is there a fee for the SG Arrival Card or health declaration?
No. Both are free of charge (0 SGD) via the official ICA channels: the SGAC e-Service website or the MyICA Mobile app (iOS and Android).
What health information do I need to declare?
Symptoms (fever, cough, respiratory illness, loss of taste/smell), recent travel history (14-21 days), contact with confirmed cases, and vaccination certificates where applicable.
What happens if I report symptoms in the health declaration?
Secondary screening at the terminal; possible rapid diagnostic testing; referral to Ministry of Health for contact tracing. Reporting symptoms does not automatically result in denied entry.
When should I submit the SG Arrival Card?
Within three (3) calendar days, including the day of arrival, before arriving in Singapore. For example, arrival on 30 June allows submission from 28 June onwards.
What happens if my flight is delayed past midnight?
Your existing SG Arrival Card submission remains valid. The three-day window is based on your declared arrival date; a delay crossing into the next day does not invalidate the form.
Can I submit the SG Arrival Card without a smartphone?
Yes. Tablets are available at immigration counters. The acknowledgement email is not required at the counter because your submission data links automatically to your passport.
