The SG Arrival Card is Singapore's essential electronic arrival form that all visitors must complete before entering the country. Introduced to replace the traditional paper disembarkation/embarkation cards, this digital system streamlines immigration processing and allows Singapore to collect essential traveler information electronically. Whether you're visiting Singapore for tourism, business, or transit, completing the SG Arrival Card is mandatory and must be done within 3 days of your arrival.
The good news is that the SG Arrival Card is completely free and takes only about 5 minutes to complete. The online form captures your personal details, travel information, accommodation in Singapore, and a health declaration. Once submitted, your information is linked to your passport electronically - there's no need to print anything as immigration officers access your submission digitally when you arrive.
This guide walks you through the complete SG Arrival Card process, including what information you'll need, step-by-step instructions, common questions, and tips for ensuring smooth immigration at Changi Airport or other Singapore entry points.
What is the SG Arrival Card?
The SG Arrival Card is Singapore's electronic pre-arrival system managed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It collects the same information that was previously captured on paper arrival cards distributed on flights, but in a more efficient digital format. The system was introduced to modernize Singapore's immigration process and reduce contact points - a consideration that became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The card serves multiple purposes: it pre-registers your arrival with Singapore immigration, provides accommodation details for contact tracing if needed, and includes a health declaration that allows authorities to screen travelers before arrival. This advance screening helps ensure smooth immigration processing at entry points.
Singapore pioneered many digital immigration innovations, and the SG Arrival Card represents the country's commitment to leveraging technology for seamless border management. The system integrates with biometric scanning at immigration counters, allowing officers to instantly verify your pre-submitted information against your physical passport. This integration significantly reduces processing time compared to traditional paper-based systems.
SG Arrival Card Quick Facts
Cost: Completely FREE
Submission window: Within 3 days before arrival
Processing: Instant confirmation
Printing: Not required - electronic only
Validity: Single entry
Required for: ALL foreign visitors
Completion time: About 5 minutes
Who Needs to Complete the SG Arrival Card?
The SG Arrival Card is mandatory for ALL foreign visitors entering Singapore, regardless of nationality or visa status. This includes:
- Visa-free visitors: Citizens of 150+ countries entering visa-free for tourism or business
- Visa holders: Those entering with Singapore e-Visas or embassy-issued visas
- Work/Student pass holders: Foreign workers and students entering Singapore
- Long-term pass holders: PR and various pass holders who are not citizens
- Transit passengers exiting airport: Those entering Singapore during a layover
- Land and sea arrivals: Visitors entering via the Causeway or ferry terminals
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can use their SingPass to submit arrival information and may have streamlined processes through the convenient MyICA mobile app. Foreign visitors should use the dedicated SG Arrival Card portal or the official ICA website.
Transit passengers who remain in the airport transit area without passing through Singapore immigration do NOT need to complete the SG Arrival Card. However, if you're exiting the airport during a layover to visit Singapore (even briefly), you must complete it.
What Information You'll Need
Before starting your SG Arrival Card online submission, gather the following important information:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- Flight details: airline, flight number, and departure city
- Arrival date and time in Singapore
- Accommodation details: hotel name, address, or residential address if staying with friends/family
- Contact number reachable in Singapore (local or international)
- Email address for confirmation receipt
- Countries visited in the last 14 days (for health declaration)
- Current health status (fever, cough, etc.)
Important: Use Exact Passport Details
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, including spacing and order of names. The SG Arrival Card is linked to your passport number electronically - any mismatch could cause issues at immigration. Double-check all details before submission.
How to Complete the SG Arrival Card
Follow these steps to complete your SG Arrival Card online:
- Access the official portal — Visit the ICA website (ica.gov.sg) and select 'SG Arrival Card' or use the MyICA mobile app
- Choose visitor type — Select 'Foreign Visitor' unless you're a Singapore citizen or PR
- Enter personal details — Provide your full name exactly as shown on your passport, date of birth, nationality, and sex
- Add passport information — Enter your passport number, expiry date, and country of issue
- Provide contact details — Enter a valid email address and phone number reachable in Singapore
- Input travel details — Enter your flight number, airline, departure city, and arrival date
- Add accommodation — Provide your hotel name and address or residential address if staying with friends/family
- Complete health declaration — Answer questions about your health status and recent travel history
- Review all information — Carefully check every field for accuracy before proceeding
- Submit the form — Click submit and wait for confirmation
- Save confirmation — Screenshot or save the confirmation email with your acknowledgement number
Completion Tips
Complete the form on a laptop/desktop for easier typing if possible. Have your passport and flight confirmation open for reference. The form times out after inactivity, so have all information ready. You can complete it on the plane using airline WiFi (if available) or at the airport before immigration.
After Submission
Once you submit your SG Arrival Card, you'll receive instant confirmation. Here's what happens next:
- Confirmation email: You'll receive an email with your acknowledgement number - save this
- No printing needed: Your submission is linked electronically to your passport
- Immigration processing: When you arrive, officers can access your information by scanning your passport
- Health screening: Based on your health declaration, you may be directed for additional screening if needed
- Single entry: Each SG Arrival Card is for one entry - if you leave and return, you'll need to submit a new one
At immigration, proceed to the appropriate queue. Automated clearance lanes may be available at Changi Airport for certain passport holders. Present your passport when called - the officer will access your SG Arrival Card electronically. If asked, you can show your confirmation email on your phone, but this is rarely necessary.
If you made an error on your SG Arrival Card after submission, you can submit a new one with the correct information. The latest submission linked to your passport number will be used at immigration. There's no limit to how many times you can submit, so correct any errors before your arrival. The system is designed to be forgiving of mistakes, ensuring travelers can easily update their information as travel plans change or if details were entered incorrectly during the initial submission.
Common Myths About the SG Arrival Card
You need to print the SG Arrival Card confirmation to show at immigration
No printing is required. The SG Arrival Card is fully electronic and linked to your passport number. Immigration officers access your submission digitally when they scan your passport. The confirmation email is just for your records - you rarely need to show it.
The SG Arrival Card is the same as a visa and allows entry to Singapore
The SG Arrival Card is NOT a visa. It's an electronic arrival form with health declaration. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Visa-free visitors still need the SG Arrival Card, and visa holders also need it. They are separate requirements.
Singapore
Capital: Singapore
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Language: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Timezone: UTC+8 (SGT)
Processing: Instant
Quick Facts
- SG Arrival Card: FREE
- Submit: 3 days before arrival
- Processing: Instant
- Printing: Not required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SG Arrival Card free?
How early can I submit the SG Arrival Card?
What if I made a mistake on my SG Arrival Card?
Do I need to complete the SG Arrival Card for each family member?
What if I don't have a Singapore phone number?
Do transit passengers need the SG Arrival Card?
Can I complete the SG Arrival Card after arriving in Singapore?
What happens if I forget to complete the SG Arrival Card?
Does the SG Arrival Card guarantee entry to Singapore?
Can I update my accommodation details after submission?
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Comments(10)
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Completed my SG Arrival Card on the plane using the onboard WiFi. Took about 5 minutes and got instant confirmation. Immigration was super fast - probably the quickest I've ever experienced anywhere!
Don't forget to have your hotel address ready before starting. I had to exit the form halfway to look up my booking, and it timed out. Second time with all info ready - smooth sailing.
Do I need to fill this out if I'm only transiting through Changi for 4 hours? I won't be leaving the airport.
The MyICA mobile app works great. Saved my passport details from last time so I only had to update the flight info. Great for frequent Singapore visitors!
Traveling with kids? You need a separate submission for each child. I did all 4 of us on my phone - just enter each person's passport details individually. Kids don't need their own email addresses.
Quick tip: the form asks for 'city of departure' not your home city. Enter the actual city you're flying from to Singapore. I initially put my hometown but had to correct it.
Changed hotels after submitting my arrival card. Do I need to submit a new one with the updated address?
Changi Airport has kiosks if you forget to do it beforehand, but the queue was long when I saw them. Much better to do it before leaving home - takes 5 minutes and saves potential delays.
The health declaration part is simple - just a few yes/no questions about symptoms and recent travel to risk areas. No need to stress about it if you're healthy!
Perfect timing on this guide - heading to Singapore next week! Just completed my SG Arrival Card following these steps. Confirmation received immediately. Thanks for the clear instructions!