This guide covers every step of the SGAC, the mistakes that cause delays at the counter, and what to do if you forgot to fill it out entirely. Updated for 2026 with the latest ICA rules.

Key Takeaway: The SGAC is not a visa. It's a free digital form that replaced Singapore's old paper arrival card. Submit it within 3 days before you arrive, only through the official ICA e-Service or the MyICA app.

What Is the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)?

The Singapore Arrival Card is an electronic pre-arrival declaration managed by Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It collects your personal details, travel information, accommodation address, and a short health declaration.

Until March 2020, this was the paper white card (disembarkation/embarkation card) that flight attendants handed out on the plane. Singapore replaced it with the digital SGAC, and paper cards are no longer accepted.

Two facts everyone should know:

• The SGAC is not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa for Singapore, you need to apply for that separately. Check Singapore visa requirements here.

• You need a new SGAC for every entry into Singapore. It's valid for a single trip.

Who Needs to Submit the SGAC?

Almost everyone. The rule is simple: all travelers must submit the SGAC before arriving in Singapore, with two exceptions:

Long-Term Pass holders include Student's Pass, Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, and Work Pass holders.

Important: The health declaration portion is mandatory for disease control under Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act. False declarations can lead to prosecution.

When to Submit the SGAC

Submit the SGAC within 3 days before your arrival, including the day you land.

Example: If you're arriving on April 10, you can submit from April 8 onwards.

You can't submit it earlier than 3 days. The system won't let you.

Can you fill it out after landing? Technically, yes. There are self-service kiosks near immigration at Changi Airport. But this isn't recommended because it creates unnecessary delays, and officers may question why you didn't submit in advance. Fill it out before you board your flight.

What Information You'll Need

Before you start, have these ready:

1. Passport Details

• Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport)

• Passport number

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Passport expiry date

• Country of passport issuance

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.

Tip: If you hold multiple passports, use the one you'll present at immigration. The details must match exactly.

2. Contact Information

• Email address — Your confirmation goes here. Use one you can access on your phone at immigration.

• Phone number — A working mobile number where Singapore authorities can reach you if needed.

3. Travel Details

• Date of arrival (must fall within the 3-day submission window)

• Mode of travel:

  • Flight number (arriving by air)

  • Bus/vehicle number (arriving via land at Woodlands or Tuas)

  • Vessel name (arriving by sea)

• Intended length of stay

4. Accommodation in Singapore

• Hotel name and address

• Residential address (if staying with friends or family)

• Airbnb, hostel, or serviced apartment details

Tip: If you're staying at multiple places, enter the address of your first accommodation. You don't need to list every hotel.

5. Health Declaration

You'll answer a few short questions about:

• Recent symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)

• Contact with infectious diseases

• Recent travel to countries with health advisories (e.g., Yellow Fever zones)

This replaced the COVID-era health forms and is now a standard, quick section.

How to Fill Out the SGAC: Step-by-Step

You can submit via two official channels:

• Website: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/

• App: MyICA Mobile (free on App Store and Google Play)

No other website or app is authorized. More on scam sites below.

Step 1: Open the Official ICA e-Service

Go to the ICA SGAC website or open the MyICA app. On the homepage, click "Submit SG Arrival Card."

Step 2: Select Your Residency Category

Choose one of three options:

• Singapore Citizen / Permanent Resident — You'll only submit the health declaration

• Long-Term Pass Holder (Student's Pass, Dependant's Pass, LTVP, Work Pass) — Health declaration plus arrival information

• Foreign Visitor / IPA Holder — Full submission: arrival information and health declaration

Most tourists select "Foreign Visitor."

Step 3: Enter Your Travel Information

• Select your arrival date (remember: within 3 days of submission)

• Enter your flight number or other travel details

• Provide your accommodation address in Singapore

Step 4: Fill In Personal Details

Enter your passport information:

• Full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, gender

• Trip details: flight/vessel number, arrival date, Singapore address

Double-check everything. Passport number typos are the #1 cause of problems at the counter.

Step 5: Complete the Health Declaration

Answer the health screening questions honestly. This section takes under a minute. Declare:

• Any symptoms in the last 14 days

• Recent contact with infectious diseases

• Travel to Yellow Fever risk areas (if applicable)

Step 6: Review and Submit

Carefully review every field. Once you're satisfied, hit Submit.

Step 7: Save Your Confirmation

You'll get an acknowledgment email immediately. Save it or screenshot it. You don't need to show it at immigration (they already have your info digitally), but it's useful if there's a system glitch.

If your health status changes after submission, go back to the ICA website and use the "Update SGAC" feature to resubmit. False health declarations are a criminal offense.

What Happens at Immigration in Singapore

Here's what actually happens when you land at Changi Airport (or cross a land/sea checkpoint):

1. You don't need a paper card. The system already has your SGAC data linked to your passport.

2. Automated lanes: All travelers, including first-time visitors, can use the automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport. No prior enrollment needed. Scan your passport and provide biometrics (face, fingerprint, iris).

3. Manual counters: If automated clearance fails or you prefer, head to a manual counter. Present your passport. The officer verifies your SGAC digitally.

4. Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass): After clearing immigration, you'll receive an e-Pass via email to the address you entered on your SGAC. This replaces the old passport stamp. The e-Pass confirms your allowed length of stay.

What if you didn't submit the SGAC? You can fill it out at self-service kiosks near immigration at Changi, but expect delays. In rare cases, travelers without an SGAC could be denied entry, though this is uncommon for genuine oversight.

7 Common Mistakes That Delay You at Immigration

Based on real traveler reports and ICA guidance, here are the errors that cause the most problems:

1. Passport Number Typos

The most common mistake. If your SGAC passport number doesn't match your physical passport, the automated lane will reject you and you'll need to queue at a manual counter.

Fix: Copy the number directly from your passport. Don't type it from memory.

2. Name Mismatch

Your name on the SGAC must match your passport exactly. Middle names, suffixes, and hyphens matter. If your passport says "RAJESH KUMAR SHARMA," don't enter "Rajesh Sharma."

Fix: Type your name exactly as it appears on the machine-readable zone (bottom of your passport's photo page).

3. Wrong Arrival Date

If your arrival date on the SGAC doesn't match when you actually land, it can cause issues. Watch out for overnight flights that depart on one date but arrive the next.

Fix: Enter the date you arrive in Singapore, not the date you depart from home.

4. Submitting Too Early

The system only accepts submissions within 3 days of arrival. If you try a week early, it won't go through.

Fix: Set a reminder for 2-3 days before your flight.

5. Using a Scam Website and Paying a Fee

ICA has flagged 60+ fake websites.

6. Incomplete Accommodation Address

Entering just "hotel in Singapore" isn't enough. The form requires a specific address.

Fix: Copy the full hotel address from your booking confirmation, including the postal code.

7. Forgetting to Update After Health Changes

If you develop symptoms after submitting, you must update your SGAC. Arriving with undeclared symptoms can result in quarantine or prosecution.

Fix: Use the "Update SGAC" feature on the ICA website if anything changes.

Troubleshooting: SGAC Form Not Working

If you run into technical issues, try these fixes:

SGAC Processing Time and Fees

SGAC vs. Singapore Visa: What's the Difference?

This confuses a lot of travelers, so here's a clear comparison:

Bottom line: If your nationality requires a visa, you need both a visa and an SGAC. The SGAC alone won't get you into Singapore.

Need a Singapore visa? Check the full Singapore visa guide or the Singapore visa document checklist.