All travellers entering Singapore, including citizens, permanent residents, tourists, and children, must submit the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) online within three calendar days before arrival. This free digital health and immigration declaration, managed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), is not a visa. The SGAC replaced the physical paper disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card on 27 March 2020 and combines personal particulars, travel details, and a health declaration into a single electronic submission. Travellers must use the ICA e-Service or the MyICA Mobile app, as third-party commercial services are not endorsed by ICA and may charge unnecessary fees.
Who Needs to Submit the SG Arrival Card in 2026?
The SG Arrival Card must be submitted by every traveller entering Singapore, regardless of nationality or age. The table below answers the question who needs to submit the SG Arrival Card for each category and mode of entry.
| Traveller Category | Mode of Entry | Must Submit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizens | Air / Sea | Yes | Health declaration required |
| Singapore Citizens | Land (Woodlands / Tuas) | Partially | Health declaration only |
| Permanent Residents | Air / Sea | Yes | Health declaration required |
| Permanent Residents | Land (Woodlands / Tuas) | Partially | Health declaration only |
| Foreign Tourists | Air / Sea / Land | Yes | Unless airside transit |
| Transit (no clearance) | Air | No | Airside only |
| Transit (clearing immigration) | Air | Yes | Must submit |
| Long-Term Pass Holders | All | Yes | Every re-entry |
| Children & Infants | All | Yes | Parent submits |
| Diplomatic Passport Holders | Air / Sea | Yes | Not exempt |
SG Arrival Card vs e-Visa: What’s the Difference?
The SG Arrival Card is a pre-arrival declaration, not a visa. UK citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days but must still submit the SGAC before every arrival. The two are separate requirements: a visa grants entry permission, while the SGAC is a health and immigration declaration. The SGAC does not guarantee entry into Singapore.
Requirements for UK Citizens in 2026
UK passport holders need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. Despite visa-free entry for up to 90 days, the SG Arrival Card is mandatory for every entry. After clearing immigration, UK visitors receive a digital e-Pass via email (no passport endorsement stamp) specifying the last day of allowed stay. Always consult the FCDO travel advice for Singapore alongside ICA requirements.
Who Is Exempt from the SG Arrival Card?
The SG Arrival Card is not required for two narrow categories: passengers transiting through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance, and Singapore residents entering via the Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints. All other travellers, including diplomatic passport holders, must submit the SGAC before arrival.
Airside Transit Passengers
Travellers transiting or transferring through Singapore without clearing immigration are exempt from the SG Arrival Card entirely. This exemption applies only to passengers who remain in the airside transit area at Changi Airport. If you leave the transit area (for example, because your airline does not transfer baggage and you must collect it landside), you are entering Singapore and must submit the SGAC before clearing immigration.
Land Border Crossings: Woodlands and Tuas
Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders entering via the Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints are exempt from the full SGAC (arrival information). However, the health declaration component remains mandatory for all residents at both checkpoints. A false health declaration may trigger prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act, with penalties of up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment. Pedestrians crossing on foot are treated the same as vehicle occupants.
How and When to Submit the SG Arrival Card
The SG Arrival Card must be submitted for free via the ICA e-Service or the MyICA Mobile app (iOS App Store and Android Google Play, free download) within three calendar days before arrival, including the arrival day. The MyICA app includes a profile-saving function that auto-populates passport details for subsequent trips, reducing form completion time to 5 to 10 minutes. The SGAC is valid for a single entry only; a new submission is required for every trip.
Access the platform
Visit the SGAC e-Service or download the MyICA Mobile app (iOS or Android, free)
Enter your details
Provide passport details, travel dates, and accommodation address
Complete health declaration
Include any current symptoms and travel history for the past 14 days
Submit and receive DE Number
Submit the form and get an acknowledgement email with a unique DE Number
The SG Arrival Card costs nothing to submit. Third-party websites charging fees are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by ICA. Use only the two channels above.
Submission Deadline and the 3-Day Rule
The submission window is calendar-based, not a rolling 72-hour timer.
| Arrival Date | Earliest Submission | Latest Submission |
|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2026 | 18 September 2026 | 20 September 2026 |
| 1 October 2026 | 29 September 2026 | 1 October 2026 |
| 15 December 2026 | 13 December 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
Group Submission and Updates
The SG Arrival Card supports group submissions of up to 10 travellers per single session; one person acts as group leader and enters each member’s details individually. If details change after submission, use the “Update SGAC” feature on the SGAC e-Service portal to correct travel dates, health status, or passport information without a full resubmission. A mandatory resubmission applies if there is any change in health status before arrival.
What Happens If You Don’t Submit the SG Arrival Card?
Failure to submit the SG Arrival Card may result in denied entry into Singapore and penalties of up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment under the Infectious Diseases Act. Consequences include:
- Denied entry: Travellers without a valid SGAC submission may be refused entry at the immigration counter.
- Significant delays: Even where entry is ultimately granted, missing the SGAC causes extended processing times at the checkpoint.
Emergency Arrivals Without a Pre-Submitted SGAC
Travellers arriving without a pre-submitted SG Arrival Card due to flight diversions or other emergencies can complete one at Changi Airport’s on-arrival facilities (self-service kiosks or free Wi-Fi) before reaching the immigration counter. For assistance, contact the ICA 24-hour automated answering service at +65 6391 6100. During system downtime, ICA officers at the counter can assist with SGAC submission directly.
SG Arrival Card Eligibility FAQ
Does every traveller need to submit the SG Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore?
Yes, for all travellers with no nationality or age exemption. Only airside transit passengers and residents entering via Woodlands or Tuas (health declaration still due) are exempt.
Are transit passengers exempt from the SG Arrival Card?
Yes, if remaining airside at Changi without clearing immigration. If you leave the transit area to claim non-transferred baggage, you must submit the SGAC before arrival.
Do Singapore citizens need to submit the SG Arrival Card when returning home?
Yes, via air or sea. Via land checkpoints (Woodlands or Tuas), citizens are exempt from the full SGAC but must still submit the mandatory health declaration.
Are children and infants required to have their own SG Arrival Card?
Yes, every child and infant needs a separate SGAC submitted by a parent or guardian. There is no age exemption; submission is mandatory for all individuals irrespective of age.
Is there a fee to submit the SG Arrival Card?
No, ICA charges zero fees. Use only the free ICA e-Service or MyICA Mobile app; third-party sites charging fees are not affiliated with or endorsed by ICA.
What is the penalty for not submitting the SG Arrival Card?
Non-submission risks denied entry; false declarations are prosecutable under the Infectious Diseases Act (up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment).
Is the SG Arrival Card the same as a Singapore visa?
No, the SGAC is a mandatory pre-arrival declaration, not a visa, and does not guarantee entry. UK citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days but must still submit the SGAC.
Can I submit the SG Arrival Card at the airport if I forgot?
Yes, in emergencies only. Use Changi self-service kiosks or free Wi-Fi, or call ICA’s 24-hour line at +65 6391 6100.
Do diplomatic passport holders need to submit the SG Arrival Card?
Yes, diplomatic and official passport holders are not exempt and must submit the SGAC the same as any other traveller.
Can I submit the SG Arrival Card for a group of family members?
Yes, the ICA e-Service allows group submissions for up to 10 travellers per session. One person acts as group leader and enters each member’s details.
This guide was last updated on 15 September 2026. Immigration requirements may change without notice; always verify the latest SGAC rules on the ICA website (www.ica.gov.sg) at least 72 hours before departure.
