What is the Singapore SG Arrival Card?

The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is ICA’s electronic arrival and health declaration that replaced the old paper disembarkation/embarkation card. Most travellers must submit it online or via MyICA before seeking immigration clearance.

When must I submit the SG Arrival Card?

Within three days before arrival, including the day you land. Example: arrive 30 June → submit from 28 June onwards. Submitting earlier outside that window is not the rule ICA publishes.

Is the SG Arrival Card a visa?

No. ICA states clearly that SGAC is not a visa. Visa requirements, if any, are separate under Entering Singapore rules for your nationality.

I have an Employment Pass IPA — which SGAC path do I use?

IPA letter holders follow the foreign-visitor / IPA submission path for arrival information and health declaration, not the resident long-term-pass shortcut used after the pass is issued.

Do Singapore citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders need SGAC?

Air and sea arrivals generally still submit the electronic health declaration as part of SGAC. ICA exempts residents (SC, PR, long-term pass holders) entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints, and anyone transiting without immigration clearance.

Do I still file an SG Arrival Card if I already have an issued Employment Pass?

Long-term pass holders still use ICA’s published SGAC path for arrivals — the IPA-only and issued-pass forms differ. An EP card does not waive SGAC. Submit inside the live window (commonly within 3 days before arrival) and keep the acknowledgement with your passport.

What if I submitted SGAC on the wrong path (tourist vs IPA) before I fly?

Do not assume the first submission is good enough. Check ICA’s current instructions for amending or re-submitting on the correct traveller type. Airlines and immigration officers care about a valid acknowledgement for the trip you are actually making — a tourist SGAC with an unused IPA is a common Changi delay.

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SG Arrival Card for expats and IPA holders

What the SG Arrival Card is, who must submit it, the 3-day window before landing, IPA vs long-term pass paths, and why it is not a visa — with ICA citations.

MoveArriving3 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

Short answer: The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is ICA’s free electronic arrival + health declaration. Submit it within three days before you land (including arrival day). It is not a visa. IPA holders use the visitor/IPA path; already-issued work/Dependant/Student/LTVP holders use the resident path — and land-checkpoint residents have a narrow exemption.

Stressed movers lose time at Changi because a paid “arrival card agent” DM’d them on Instagram, or because they filed two weeks early and assumed it was still valid. ICA’s rules are short; follow those, not the reseller.

Who must submit

Per ICA’s SG Arrival Card page:

Traveller	SGAC required?
Foreign visitor (tourism, business visit, etc.)	Yes before immigration clearance
IPA letter holder entering to take up a pass	Yes (visitor / IPA submission option)
Work Pass / DP / Student Pass / LTVP holder arriving by air or sea	Yes (resident health-declaration path)
SC / PR / long-term pass holder via Woodlands or Tuas	Exempt
Pure airside transit — no immigration clearance	Exempt

Long-term passes in ICA’s wording include Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, and Work Pass.

When to submit (the 3-day clock)

Count three calendar days including arrival day.
Example from ICA: arrive 30 Jun → earliest submission 28 Jun.
Submit via the official SGAC e-Service or MyICA app.
Keep the acknowledgement email; present your travel document at the counter.

ICA does not endorse paid third-party submission services. If someone charges you for “priority SGAC,” walk away.

IPA vs issued pass — pick the right door

Status at boarding	What to select on SGAC	Why it matters
IPA only	Foreign visitor / IPA holder flow	You are still entering to activate a pass
Issued work / Dependant / Student / LTVP	Resident / long-term pass holder flow	Health declaration still applies for air/sea
SC or PR	Resident flow (unless land-checkpoint exempt)	Same disease-control declaration

If your flight changes after submission, use ICA’s Update SGAC feature. False health declarations can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act — update rather than “hope nobody notices.”

What SGAC does not replace

Visa (if your nationality needs one)
IPA / work pass issuance with MOM
CBNI cash declaration if you carry large amounts — CBNI guide
HSA approval for controlled personal medication — bringing medication

Frequently asked questions

What is the SG Arrival Card?

ICA’s electronic replacement for the old paper white disembarkation card, bundled with an electronic health declaration for disease control.

Do tourists and new EP holders both need it?

Yes, before immigration clearance (with the transit and land-checkpoint exceptions above). New EP movers on IPA still file — usually under the visitor/IPA option.

Can one person file for the whole family?

ICA’s Group Submission is for people travelling together on one trip. Each traveller’s particulars still need to be correct; do not invent a group just to reuse one email.

What if my health status changes after I submit?

Update via Update SGAC on the official e-Service. Do not board on a stale false declaration.

What should I do immediately after clearing immigration?

Get a +65 SIM, message HR about issuance/biometrics, and follow the first-week SIM → Singpass → bank map. Tick the interactive day-7 checklist.

What happens next

SGAC gets you through the hall. The rest of arriving is dependency work: pass card, Singpass, payroll bank, temporary housing letter. Stay on the Arriving hub until those four stop blocking each other.

Questions, answered

What is the Singapore SG Arrival Card?: The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is ICA’s electronic arrival and health declaration that replaced the old paper disembarkation/embarkation card. Most travellers must submit it online or via MyICA before seeking immigration clearance.
When must I submit the SG Arrival Card?: Within three days before arrival, including the day you land. Example: arrive 30 June → submit from 28 June onwards. Submitting earlier outside that window is not the rule ICA publishes.
Is the SG Arrival Card a visa?: No. ICA states clearly that SGAC is not a visa. Visa requirements, if any, are separate under Entering Singapore rules for your nationality.
I have an Employment Pass IPA — which SGAC path do I use?: IPA letter holders follow the foreign-visitor / IPA submission path for arrival information and health declaration, not the resident long-term-pass shortcut used after the pass is issued.
Do Singapore citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders need SGAC?: Air and sea arrivals generally still submit the electronic health declaration as part of SGAC. ICA exempts residents (SC, PR, long-term pass holders) entering via Woodlands or Tuas land checkpoints, and anyone transiting without immigration clearance.
Do I still file an SG Arrival Card if I already have an issued Employment Pass?: Long-term pass holders still use ICA’s published SGAC path for arrivals — the IPA-only and issued-pass forms differ. An EP card does not waive SGAC. Submit inside the live window (commonly within 3 days before arrival) and keep the acknowledgement with your passport.
What if I submitted SGAC on the wrong path (tourist vs IPA) before I fly?: Do not assume the first submission is good enough. Check ICA’s current instructions for amending or re-submitting on the correct traveller type. Airlines and immigration officers care about a valid acknowledgement for the trip you are actually making — a tourist SGAC with an unused IPA is a common Changi delay.

Sources & citations

Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.