Who Needs the SG Arrival Card, and When to Submit It
Every traveller who clears Singapore immigration must submit the SG Arrival Card before arrival, children included. The exceptions are transit passengers who stay airside and Singapore residents crossing at Woodlands or Tuas. Submit it on one of three days: two days before arrival, one day before arrival, or on the arrival day.
Verified: October 28, 2026
Travelling with family or a group?
Who must submit the SG Arrival Card
ICA's rule is that all travellers submit the SG Arrival Card with its electronic health declaration before arriving in Singapore, except two groups listed below. Foreign visitors submit their arrival information and the health declaration. That includes:
- Tourists, business travellers and people visiting friends or relatives
- In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter holders arriving to take up a long-term pass
- Children and babies: each traveller has their own card. A parent can submit for them, or include them in a group submission.
- Travellers who enter Singapore during a connection, for example to collect baggage or check in again
- Foreign visitors arriving by air, by sea and by land, including through Woodlands and Tuas
Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders (Student's Pass, Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass and Work Pass) arriving by air or sea submit the health declaration only. They use the residents' option on ICA's e-Service.
Who does not need it
| Traveller | SG Arrival Card? |
|---|---|
| Transit or transfer passenger who stays in the airport transit area | Not needed |
| Singapore citizen, PR or long-term pass holder entering at Woodlands or Tuas | Not needed |
| Singapore citizen, PR or long-term pass holder arriving by air or sea | Health declaration only |
| Foreign visitor, including an IPA holder | Needed: arrival information and health declaration |
| Connecting passenger who must clear immigration to collect bags or check in again | Needed |
When to submit
- Window
Two days before arrival, one day before, or on the arrival day
- ICA's example
Arriving on 30 June: submit from 28 June onwards
- Earliest
Two days before your arrival date. The e-Service only offers arrival dates from today to two days ahead.
- Latest
Before you arrive. ICA advises submitting in advance to avoid delays at immigration.
- Cost on ICA's e-Service or MyICA
Free
| Arrival in Singapore | You can submit on |
|---|---|
| Monday | Saturday, Sunday or Monday |
| Wednesday | Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday |
| Friday | Wednesday, Thursday or Friday |
| Sunday | Friday, Saturday or Sunday |
| 30 June | 28, 29 or 30 June |
ICA's e-Service FAQ says travellers who arrive without a submission must fill in and submit the form electronically before they can go through immigration, which delays them. ICA's Entering Singapore page also says travellers who fail to submit the card may be denied entry. Common errors are covered in SG Arrival Card mistakes.
Several trips, groups and children
- Several trips within three days: one individual submission can cover up to three trips, according to ICA's e-Service FAQ.
- Groups: one group submission covers up to 10 people travelling together on one trip. It cannot cover several trips.
- On behalf of someone: you can submit for another person, for example a child or an older relative. You must make sure the details are true and accurate.
- Cancelled trip: you do not need to void the card. Submit a new one for a new trip.
How to fill in each field is in the SG Arrival Card form guide. The SG Arrival Card is not a visa; whether you also need one is in Singapore entry requirements.
Who SingaporeDigitalCard can help
SingaporeDigitalCard is an independent paid service, not ICA. It assists foreign visitors, including IPA letter holders, who clear Singapore immigration: 1 to 10 travellers arriving on the same date per order. Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders and Malaysian nationals use ICA's free service directly. Eligibility is checked for every traveller before payment, and you can order before the window opens: we file once ICA's window opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need an SG Arrival Card?
Yes. ICA requires all travellers who clear immigration to submit the card, whatever their age. A parent can submit it for the child, or include the child in a group submission of up to 10 people.
Do I need an SG Arrival Card for a transit at Changi?
Not if you stay in the transit area and do not clear Singapore immigration. If you must collect baggage or check in again, you clear immigration and need the card.
Can I submit the SG Arrival Card a week before my trip?
No. ICA's e-Service accepts the card only on three days: two days before arrival, one day before arrival and the arrival day. For a Friday arrival, submit on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
Do Malaysians need an SG Arrival Card?
ICA's exemption for land crossings at Woodlands and Tuas covers Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. Malaysian visitors are not in that list, and the form has a field for the Malaysian identity card number. SingaporeDigitalCard does not file for Malaysian nationals; they use ICA's free e-Service or the MyICA app.
Do Singapore permanent residents need to submit it?
When arriving by air or sea, permanent residents submit the electronic health declaration through the SG Arrival Card e-Service. When entering through Woodlands or Tuas, they do not need to submit it.
Sources checked
- ICA: SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with Electronic Health Declaration · October 28, 2026
- ICA: SG Arrival Card e-Service, frequently asked questions · October 28, 2026
- ICA: SG Arrival Card e-Service (visitor form, observed 28 October 2026) · October 28, 2026
- ICA: Entering Singapore · October 28, 2026
- ICA: Transiting Through Singapore · October 28, 2026
Travelling with family or a group?
SingaporeDigitalCard is an independent paid service, not ICA. One order covers 1 to 10 travellers arriving on the same date, and we file inside ICA's window. The card is free if you submit it yourself with ICA.