You are all excited for your Singapore holiday. Your tickets are booked, your Singapore visa has arrived, your itinerary is ready, and your bags are packed. But what if we say that that’s not enough you to enter and explore this Southeast Asian city-state? Yes, you read it right. All visitors of Singapore need to get a Singapore Arrival Card or SGAC to gain entry into the country. This is a mandatory document; without this card you will be denied entry in Singapore. Here is a comprehensive guide that will give you all the information you need to know about Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC).
What is the Singapore Arrival Card?
Singapore Arrival Card is an electronic or digital arrival card. It replaced the older paper disembarkation card that Singapore visitors needed to have when visiting the country earlier. But since 2020, this approval card has been digitalized. This is a pre-arrival declaration card needed by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The ICA needs it to gather important information about the visitors before they enter the country. Possessing the SGAC smoothens the immigration clearance process. It also helps in enhancing public health measures, as the card also requires a health declaration from the visitors. But most of all, the SGAC is a pre-screening process that aims to improve border security.
Who Should Submit the SGAC?
All foreign nationals are expected to get SGAC before traveling to Singapore. This includes people traveling to Singapore for tourism, business meetings, family visits, etc. Even those nationals who do not require Singapore visa to visit the country should submit the SGAC. There are exceptions to this rule. People who do not require SGAC are as follows:
- Singapore citizens or passport holders traveling through Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints
- Singapore’s permanent residents traveling through Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints.
- Long-term pass holders like work visa, student’s visa, long-term visit visa, dependent’s visa, etc.
- Transit passengers who are transiting through Singapore’s airport without the need for immigration clearance
Important Features of SGAC
- Paperless Process: The SGAC is completely digital, as it replaces the old paper disembarkation card. The entire process happens online, either through the ICA website or the MyICA mobile app.
- Free of Cost: Unlike a Singapore visa from Dubai or anywhere else in the world, the SGAC is free. You do not have to pay any fee while submitting the form for the same.
- Health Declaration: The SGAC also includes an electronic health declaration. It is important to provide the status of your health, vaccination status, recent travel history, recent illnesses, symptoms of illnesses, etc. Health declaration must be done by everyone, including those excluded from SGAC, except those in transit.
- Submission Date: You must submit the SGAC within three days of your arrival in Singapore. For instance, if you are reaching Singapore on Sunday, you can submit SGAC anytime from Friday. You can submit it on the day of your visit as well, before you board your flight.
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What is the SGAC Application Process?
Here is the step-by-step process of Singapore Arrival Card application.
- The first step is to visit the official SGAC website by ICA. Alternatively, you can also download MyICA app on your mobile. This app is available on both Google Play and App Store.
- On the homepage, you need to click on “Submit SGAC” button, which will take you to the page where you need to select residence type.
- On this page, you must select whether you are a Singapore resident, citizen, or a foreign visitor.
- Once this is done, the next step is to select the type of submission. This can be either individual or group submission. If you are opting for the latter, you can apply for 10 people at a time.
- The next step is to provide your personal information like name, date of birth, nationality, gender, age, and passport number. You may also have to provide additional details like passport expiration date, email address, residential address, etc.
- Travel details come next. You need to provide details like flight number, date of arrival, accommodation details, etc.
- The next is health declaration form, where you must input details like recent travel history, recent symptoms (if any), recent contact with any infectious diseases, etc. You may also have to answer questions regarding certain vaccinations and some Covid-19-related questions.
- Once you have filled up all the sections, it is necessary to go through it again. Reviewing your form will give you the chance to rule out any errors and correct them.
- When you are sure that all the details are correct, you can click on the submit button.
- Once you have submitted the form, you will receive confirmation in your email almost immediately. Download it and take a printout, as you may have to show it at the Singapore entry point at the time of immigration.
What are the Requirements for SGAC?
Just like you need to submit passport, bank statements, flight tickets, and sample invitation letter for Singapore visa, you need to fulfill certain Singapore Arrival Card requirements while applying for this card as well.
- Passport: A scanned copy of your passport is required. Your passport should have a validity of at least six months from the date of your entry in Singapore.
- Contact Information: It is important to provide a valid email address, as your SGAC approval will be sent to your email id. Apart from this, do not forget to give your correct phone number (landline or mobile), in case the Singapore authorities want to contact you.
- Accommodation Details: If you are staying at a hotel during your visit to Singapore, you need to provide the name and address of the hotel. In case you are staying with a friend or relative, it is necessary to offer their residential address. The same applies to alternative accommodation options like serviced apartments, hostels, Airbnb, etc.
- Travel Itinerary: The travel itinerary details like flight number, date of arrival, intended date of departure, etc., should also be included.
Frequently Asked Questions about SGAC
1. What is the validity of the SGAC?
SGAC is valid for just one entry. You need to apply for a new card the next time you visit Singapore.
2. Do I need a SGAC if I have a Singapore visa?
Yes, you need to have SGAC even if you have a Singapore visa. Both are important for your Singapore visit. While the visit allows you to enter the country, the SGAC is necessary for immigration clearance. It is crucial to note that SGAC does not replace the visa.
3. What is the processing time for SGAC?
The processing time for SGAC is usually within a few minutes. In most cases, you will get a confirmation receipt in your email almost immediately.
4. What happens if I do not submit the SGAC?
If you have not submitted SGAC before arriving in Singapore, you will have to face delays in immigration. Moreover, you may also be denied entry by the Singapore immigration officials.
5. Can I submit SGAC after arriving in Singapore?
No. SGAC must be submitted before arriving in Singapore. There is no facility for submitting it after arriving in the country. Getting the card beforehand will ensure that you get to spend a perfect week in Singapore without any worries.
6. Should I pay for SGAC?
No, SGAC is free of charge. One must beware of third-party agents and unofficial websites that try to charge a fee for this service.
7. Do I need to get SGAC for my kids?
Yes, every traveler, be it a kid (including babies and toddlers) or an adult need to get SGAC before traveling to Singapore.
8. What should I do if I have made a mistake in the form?
In case you make a mistake in the SGAC form, you can resubmit it after making the necessary corrections. The ICA always considered the last submission to be the final one.
Conclusion
As Singapore Arrival Card is a crucial document that smoothens your immigration process, you must apply for one before traveling to the city-state. So, once you choose the best time to visit Singapore, book your tickets, get your visa, prepare your itinerary, and pack your bags, do not forget to apply for a Singapore Arrival Card. It does not take more than a few minutes and saves you a lot of headache at the time of immigration.
