Singapore Arrival Card Made Easy: Avoid Mistakes & Travel With Ease

Purpose

Declares travel details & health information.

Grants eligible travelers authorization to enter Singapore.

Who needs it?

Most foreign visitors, including visa exempt travelers.

Travelers whose nationality requires a visa.

Cost

Free through official ICA channels.

Official visa processing fee applies.

When to submit

Within 3 days before arrival, including the arrival date.

Before travel, according to visa requirements.

Format

Digital Declaration.

Depends on the visa application & issuance process.

Guarantees entry?

No.

No, final entry approval rests with Singapore's immigration authorities.

US citizens visiting Singapore

Yes

Visa free eligibility for short visits does not exempt you from submitting the SGAC.

Other foreign visitors

Yes

Applies when entering Singapore through air, sea, or land checkpoints.

Singapore citizens & permanent residents

Depends

Exempt when entering through land checkpoints, but required for air & sea arrivals.

Long-term pass holders

Depends

Exempt at land checkpoints, but required for air & sea arrivals.

Transit passengers staying airside

No

If you remain in Changi Airport’s transit area without clearing immigration, you do not need an SGAC.

Transit passengers entering Singapore

Yes

If you must collect & recheck luggage, or leave the transit area & clear immigration, submit the SGAC before entering Singapore.

Monday

Saturday

Arriving Monday? Submit from Saturday.

Wednesday

Monday

Arriving Wednesday? Submit from Monday.

Saturday

Thursday

Arriving Saturday? Submit from Thursday.

Sunday

Friday

Arriving Sunday? Submit from Friday.

Head to Immigration

Follow the signs to the arrival immigration hall. Keep your passport in your hand luggage, not your checked baggage.

Keep your passport accessible. Foreign visitors must present it on arrival. Even if they can use automated lanes.

Complete Immigration Clearance

Eligible foreign visitors can use automated lanes without prior biometric enrollment. 

You must meet Singapore’s entry requirements & have submitted your SGAC. Children under six cannot use the automated lanes. Follow the instructions at the lane.

Complete Biometric Checks

Scan your passport as instructed & look at the camera for facial or iris recognition. 

Remove sunglasses, masks, headwear that obstruct your face or eyes. If the automated system cannot verify you, follow staff instructions for further checks. Provide fingerprints if prompted.

Answer any Immigration Questions

Be ready to explain your visit, accommodation, onward travel plans if asked.

Automated clearance does not guarantee entry. Immigration officers may conduct additional checks.

Collect your baggage

Check the airport screens for your flight’s assigned carousel.

Keep your baggage claim tag handy in case you need to report missing luggage.

Clear customs

Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare, or the Red Channel if you carry goods that require declaration.

Controlled, prohibited, or dutiable goods may require declaration or additional checks.

Check your electronic Visit Pass

After successful entry, check the email address you provided in your SGAC submission for your electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass). 

Singapore no longer issues the traditional arrival stamp to short term visitors. Check your spam or junk folder if it doesn’t arrive. Make sure you can access that email account while traveling.

Passport validity

US passport holders

Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you arrive.

Visa eligibility

US passport holders

A visa is not required for short tourist visits. Different rules may apply depending on passport & travel purpose.

Return or onward ticket

Visitors entering Singapore

Keep proof of onward travel available, as immigration authorities may request it.

Proof of funds

Visitors entering Singapore

Be prepared to show that you can cover your expenses during your stay if asked.

Permitted length of stay

Short term visitors

Your actual permitted stay is determined at entry & recorded on your electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass).

Yellow fever vaccination

Travelers arriving from designated risk countries or qualifying transit routes.

A valid vaccination certificate is required if you visited a yellow fever risk country within six days before arrival, or spent more than 12 hours in airport transit in one. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.

Work Restrictions

Short term visitors

A Short Term Visit Pass does not permit employment. Certain business or professional activities may require separate authorization.

E-cigarettes, vapes

Vapes, e-cigarettes, related vaporizer products are prohibited. Possession, import can lead to penalties.

Leave them at home. Do not pack vaping devices or related products.

Chewing gum

Importing ordinary chewing gum is prohibited. Approved dental or medicinal gum is treated differently.

Avoid packing ordinary chewing gum. Check the rules for approved dental or medicinal products.

Smokeless tobacco & shisha

These products are prohibited from import.

Do not bring smokeless tobacco or shisha products into Singapore.

Cigarettes & other tobacco products

There is no duty free allowance for cigarettes. Imported tobacco products must be declared & applicable taxes paid.

Use the Red Channel & declare tobacco products. Do not assume cigarettes bought duty-free elsewhere are exempt.

Alcohol

Duty free relief is available only if you meet the eligibility rules & limits. Conditions apply.

Check the current Singapore Customs alcohol allowance before packing alcohol.

Overseas purchases & taxable goods

Goods may be subject to Goods & Services Tax (GST) or customs duty, depending on the item & applicable relief.

Check the relevant allowances & declare goods when required. You can use the Customs @SG service to declare & pay for eligible goods in advance.

Controlled or restricted goods

Some medicines & other regulated items require permits or approval.

Check the rules for each item before travelling, carry prescriptions or permits when required.

Cash & negotiable instruments

You must declare the combined value if it exceeds S$20,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency.

Submit the required electronic declaration. This is separate from your SGAC submission.

Green Channel

For travelers with nothing to declare.

Use it only if you are not carrying goods that require declaration.

Red Channel

For goods that must be declared, including applicable taxable or controlled items.

Declare the goods & follow the instructions from customs officers.

Check your e-Pass

Look for your electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) in your email after clearing immigration.

Check your spam or junk folder if it’s missing. The e-Pass records your permitted stay.

Confirm your stay duration

Check the last day you’re allowed to remain in Singapore.

Don’t assume you can stay for the full visa-free period. Your actual permitted stay is determined at entry.

Save your travel documents

Keep your passport, hotel booking, return ticket, SGAC acknowledgement accessible.

Digital copies can help you find important details quickly while travelling.

Arrange airport transport

Choose an airport taxi, a ride-hailing service, or the MRT train.

Follow airport signs to the official taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup points, or train station.

Set up mobile connectivity

Activate your e-SIM or buy a local SIM card if needed.

Having mobile data makes it easier to access maps, hotel details, transport apps.

Check extension rules if needed

If you need to stay longer, review the official ICA process before your permitted stay expires.

Extensions are not guaranteed, so apply in advance rather than waiting until the last day.

Using a third party website 

Some websites charge fees for a declaration that is free through official channels.

Submit through the official ICA portal or the myICA Mobile app.

Submitting too early

The form can only be submitted within the permitted three day window, including your arrival date.

Check your Singapore arrival date & submit within the official window.

Entering the wrong arrival date

Overnight flights can make it easy to confuse your departure date with your arrival date.

Check the local arrival date shown on your itinerary & use Singapore time when confirming your plans.

Making a passport typo

Incorrect passport details can cause problems matching your declaration to your travel document.

Compare your name, passport number, expiry date against your passport before submitting.

Entering incomplete accommodation details

Missing or incorrect stay information can lead to questions or additional checks.

Keep your first accommodation's name & full address handy, including the postal code where requested.

Forgetting the health declaration

The SGAC includes a required health declaration, not just travel details.

Answer all health related questions truthfully before submitting.

Assuming submission guarantees entry

The SGAC is not a visa or an entry permit.

Check your passport & entry requirements separately, follow immigration officers' instructions on arrival.

Not checking your confirmation

You may have difficulty confirming that your submission was successful.

Look for the acknowledgement email after submission & keep it accessible on your phone.

Gardens by the Bay

Explore the Supertree Grove, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest’s indoor waterfall.

Nature, Architecture

Marina Bay Sands

Take in the skyline from the waterfront or SkyPark Observation Deck.

First time visitors & city views

Maxwell Food Centre

Try Singapore favorites such as Hainanese chicken rice.

Food lovers

Chinatown & Little India

Explore temples, markets, local shops, cultural landmarks.

Culture & history lovers

Kampong Gelam & Haji Lane

Discover colorful murals, independent boutiques, cafés.

Shopping & photography

Sentosa Island

Enjoy beaches, attractions, & Universal Studios Singapore.

Families & entertainment

Luxury

Marina Bay or the Civic District

Skyline views & access to major attractions.

Mid-range

Orchard Road or Bugis

Shopping, dining, & public transportation.

Budget

Chinatown or areas near MRT stations

Convenient transport & affordable food nearby.