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How to fill up SG Arrival Card (SGAC): A step-by-step guide

Updated: May 10, 2025 Leave a Comment

Singapore has phased out paper-based arrival/departure cards and introduced the online version called SG Arrival Card or SGAC. 

Submitting the SG Arrival Card online is now mandatory for everyone traveling to Singapore as tourists or visitors.

Filling out the SGAC takes about 5-10 minutes. There are no documents or photos to upload. 

If you haven’t applied for your Singapore visa yet, read the Singapore Visa Guide for information on various visa types of tourists, their eligibility and requirements.  

Table of Contents

  • What is SG Arrival Card (SGAC)?
  • Who needs to fill out SG Arrival Card?
  • When do you need to fill out SG Arrival Card?
  • How to fill out SG Arrival Card?
  • How to retrieve and update SG Arrival Card?
  • Frequently Asked Questions

***

What is SG Arrival Card (SGAC)?

SG Arrival Card Sample
SG Arrival Card Sample | © Visa Traveler

SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is an online version of the previously paper-based Singapore disembarkation/embarkation card (DE Card or white card). 

Submission of SGAC online is required for all visitors before arriving in Singapore. 

SG Arrival Card can be submitted online on the SGAC e-Service portal or via the MyICA mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.

The mobile app is handy for those who travel to Singapore frequently. The advantage is that your personal and passport information is stored on the app after submission. Your personal and passport information will be auto-populated on the subsequent submissions. 

SG Arrival Card is NOT a visa

SG Arrival Card is just an online version of the arrival card, it’s not a visa. Arrival cards used to be paper-based and usually handed over to you by the airline staff onboard. More and more countries are moving towards online arrival and departure cards. These arrival/departure cards are not visas and they are mainly meant for customs and disease control. 

SG Arrival Card is FREE of charge 

Submitting SGAC is free of charge and you can update it multiple times if there is any change in the information. You can also submit a new one (more than once if necessary) if there is any change in the non-updatable information. 

SG Arrival Card is per family or group

If you are traveling as a family or a group, you can submit one SGAC for the entire group. There is no need to submit one for each family member.  

***

Who needs to fill out SG Arrival Card?

Everyone traveling to Singapore is required to submit an SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arriving in Singapore. 

Tourists and Visitors

If you are traveling to Singapore on a Visa-Exemption, Tourist Visa (e-Visa) or Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF) by any mode of transportation (air, sea or land), you must submit SGAC before arrival in Singapore. 

Airport transit passengers

Airside transit passengers at Changi Airport who do not pass through immigration are NOT required to submit the SGAC. 

Singapore residents

SG Arrival Card is NOT required for all Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term passport holders such as work, students or dependents when traveling by air or sea. SG Arrival Card is not REQUIRED if entering by land via the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints. 

Here is the summary for your reference:

Passenger typeMode of transportationSG Arrival Card Requirement
Tourists and VisitorsAir, Sea and LandRequired
Airside transit passengersAirNOT required
Singapore residentsAir and SeaRequired
Singapore residentsLandNOT required

***

When do you need to fill out SG Arrival Card?

You must fill out your SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival in Singapore. For example, if you are arriving on October 10, you can fill it out any time from October 08. You can fill it out on the 8th, 9th or 10th or even when you arrive at the airport. 

If you put it off until the last minute and try to fill it out at the airport on arrival, it might delay your immigration clearance or baggage claim. Just fill it out a couple of days before your flight and you are good to go. 

***

How to fill out SG Arrival Card?

Follow the steps below to fill and submit your SG Arrival Card online.

SG Arrival Card - Submit SGAC
SG Arrival Card – Submit SGAC
  • Go to the ICA e-Services Portal
  • Click on the “Submit SGAC” button 
SG Arrival Card - Foreign Visitor
SG Arrival Card – Foreign Visitor
  • Click on the “Foreign Visitor/In-Principle Approval Holder” button. 

—

Step 1: Traveller Information

Section: Date of Arrival

SG Arrival Card - Traveller Information
SG Arrival Card – Traveller Information

Select your date of arrival from the options. 

If you don’t see your date of arrival, that means you are filling out your SGAC too early. SGAC can be filled out only within 3 days before arrival in Singapore, including the arrival date. 

Section: Personal Information

  • Full Name (In Passport) [Instructions: Enter your given name followed by your surname as per your passport. See more information below.]
  • Passport Number [Instructions: Enter your passport number]
  • Date of Passport Expiry [Instructions: Enter your passport expiry date]
  • Sex [Instructions: Enter your sex as per your passport]
  • Date of Birth [Instructions: Enter your date of birth as per your passport]
  • Nationality/Citizenship [Instructions: Enter your nationality as per your passport]
  • Country/Place of Birth [Instructions: Enter your country of birth as per your passport]
  • Place of Residence [Instructions: Enter your current city of residence]
  • Email Address [Instructions: Enter your email address]
  • Country/Region Code + Mobile Number [Instructions: Enter your mobile number and country code]

How to enter your Full Name?

Automatic Method: Click on the button “Retrieve with Passport” and upload a copy of your passport. This will auto-populate your Full Name in the correct format. It will also auto-populate all your passport information. 

If you have a “Middle Name”, this option does not auto-populate your middle name. You must enter it manually. See an example for the middle name in “Manual Method” below. 

Manual Method: If you have a Surname and Given Name in your passport, enter your “Surname” followed by “Given Name”. Here is an example:

  • Surname or Last Name in your passport: Doe
  • Given Name or First Name in your passport: John
  • Full Name in your SGAC: John Doe

If you have a Middle Name in your passport, then you will put that in between your first and last names. Here is an example: 

  • Surname or Last Name in your passport: Doe
  • Middle Name in your passport: Robert
  • Given Name or First Name in your passport: John
  • Full Name in your SGAC: John Robert Doe

Section: Others

  • Have you ever used a passport under different name to enter Singapore? [Instructions: Select “No”]

Add Traveler 1+

If traveling with family or in a group, click the “Add Traveler 1+” button to enter your family member’s information. 

After adding all your family/group members, click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 2: Trip Information

Section: Trip Information

SG Arrival Card - Trip Information
SG Arrival Card – Trip Information
  • Last City/Port of Embarkation Before Singapore [Instructions: Search and select the city that you will fly from]
  • Purpose of Travel [Instructions: Select “Holiday/Sightseeing/Leisure” from the options. If you will be using VFTF or 1-day transit, select the appropriate option]
  • Type of Accommodation in Singapore [Instructions: Select HOTEL, OTHERS or RESIDENTIAL. Depending on the option, you will have to enter more information]
  • Mode of Travel [Instructions: Select AIR, LAND or SEA. Depending on the option, you will have to enter more information]

Mode of Travel: AIR

SG Arrival Card - Mode of Travel Air
SG Arrival Card – Mode of Travel Air
  • Mode of Transport [Instructions: Select COMMERCIAL FLIGHT. Flights operated by airline companies such as Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, etc. are COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS]
  • Flight Code [Instructions: Search and select your airline code from the list]
  • Flight Number [Instructions: Enter your flight number]

Mode of Travel: LAND

SG Arrival Card - Mode of Travel Land
SG Arrival Card – Mode of Travel Land
  • Mode of Transport [Instructions: Select BUS, CAR, MOTORCYCLE, RAIL or VAN]
  • Vehicle Number [Instructions: If traveling by CAR or MOTORCYCLE, enter your vehicle number. If traveling by BUS or TRAIN and do not have your bus or train number, simply write Bus or Train in this field and update your SGAC once you have your bus or train number]

Mode of Travel: SEA

SG Arrival Card - Mode of Travel Sea
SG Arrival Card – Mode of Travel Sea
  • Cruise Name [Instructions: Select your cruise name from the list]
  • If arriving by Commercial Vessel or Ferry, select the appropriate option and enter the vessel name. 
  • Type of Accommodation in Singapore [Instructions: Select HOTEL, OTHERS or RESIDENTIAL. Depending on the option, you must enter more information]

Type of Accommodation in Singapore: HOTEL

SG Arrival Card - Accommodation Hotel
SG Arrival Card – Accommodation Hotel
  • Name of Hotel [Instructions: Select your hotel from the list. If you can’t find your hotel, select OTHERS and enter your hotel name]

Type of Accommodation in Singapore: OTHERS

SG Arrival Card - Accommodation Others
SG Arrival Card – Accommodation Others
  • Select DAY TRIP if you will be opting for a 1-day trip
  • Select TRANSIT if you will be using VFTF

Type of Accommodation in Singapore: RESIDENTIAL 

SG Arrival Card - Accommodation Residential
SG Arrival Card – Accommodation Residential
  • If RESIDENTIAL, enter the complete residential address
SG Arrival Card - Date of Departure
SG Arrival Card – Date of Departure
  • Date of Departure [Instructions: Enter the date you will leave Singapore]
  • Next City/Port of Disembarkation after Singapore [Instructions: Search and select the next city/country you will go to after Singapore ]

Add Trip 1+

If you have multiple upcoming trips to Singapore, you can enter those trips by clicking the “Add Trip 1+” button. 

Click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 3: Declaration

Section: Health Declaration

SG Arrival Card - Health Declaration
SG Arrival Card – Health Declaration
  • Do you currently have fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache or vomiting? [Instructions: Select Yes if you experience any of the above symptoms]
  • Have you visited any of the listed countries in Africa or Latin America in the past 6 days prior to your arrival in Singapore? [Instructions: Select No. Select Yes if you have visited any of the high-risk countries for Yellow Fever in the past 6 days]

Click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 4: Review

SG Arrival Card - Review
SG Arrival Card – Review

Review the information entered so far. 

If you need to make any changes, click on the “Edit” button. 

If everything is accurate, check the box for “I have read and agreed to the declaration” and click on the “Next” button.

A Security Verification popup may appear. Enter the captcha/security code and click on Submit.

—

Step 5: Confirmation

SG Arrival Card - Confirmation
SG Arrival Card – Confirmation

A confirmation of submission of your SG Arrival Card is displayed.

Make a note of your Disembakation/Embarkation (DE) Number. You need this DE Number to retrieve your e-Pass after entering Singapore. DE Number is also included in the email confirmation and SG Arrival Card PDF.

Click on the “PDF Download” to download a copy of your submitted SG Arrival Card in PDF format.

SG Arrival Card - Email Acknowledgement
SG Arrival Card – Email Acknowledgement

A confirmation of your SG Card Submission is also sent to your email. Retain it for your records. 

***

How to retrieve and update SG Arrival Card?

You cannot update your name, date of birth, passport information, nationality and arrival date. If you need to update any of these, you will have to submit a new SG Arrival Card. 

There are no penalties for submitting a new one, so go ahead and submit a new one if you need to update any of the “non-updatable” information mentioned above.

To update the rest of the information, follow the steps below. 

  • Go to the SGAC e-Service Portal
  • Click on the “Update SGAC” button
  • Then, click on the “Foreign Visitor/In-Principle Approval Holder” button

—

Step 1: Search

SG Arrival Card - Search and Update
SG Arrival Card – Search and Update

Enter the following information.

  • Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) Number [Instructions: Enter your DE number. See instructions below on where to find your DE number]
  • Date of Birth [Instructions: Enter your date of birth as per your passport]
  • Passport Number [Instructions: Enter your passport number]
  • Nationality/Citizenship [Instructions: Enter your nationality as per your passport]
  • Date of Passport Expiry [Instructions: Enter your passport expiry date]

Click on the “Edit this submission” button.

Where to find Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) Number?

You can find your DE number in (1) the SGAC acknowledgment email, (2) your downloaded SGAC PDF, or (3) in the MyICA mobile app (if you’ve used the mobile app to submit SGAC).

—

Step 2: Particulars

In this section, you will see the information you have submitted. Update any information and click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 3: Review

Review your updated information and click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 4: Confirmation

A confirmation of your SG Arrival Card update is displayed. You can download a PDF of your updated SG Arrival Card. You will also receive an email acknowledgment. 

***

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to fill out SG Arrival Card?

It takes about 5-10 minutes to fill out the SG Arrival Card, provided you have all the required information handy. You need your personal details, passport information and flight and hotel details.

Do I need to print SG Arrival Card?

No. You don’t need to print your submitted SG Arrival Card. You can simply show the acknowledgment email or PDF on your smartphone. If using the MyICA mobile app, you can show it on your mobile app. 

Can I extend my SG arrival Card?

You cannot extend your submitted SG Arrival Card. If your trip is delayed, simply fill out a new one. There are no penalties for submitting a new SG Arrival Card, so go ahead. 

Can I cancel my SG Arrival Card?

You cannot cancel an already submitted SG Arrival Card. You can only update it or abandon it. 

If you need to update any information, you can retrieve and update your already submitted SG Arrival Card. 

If your trip is delayed or postponed, then you have to submit a new one. There are no penalties for submitting a new SG Arrival Card, so you can go ahead and fill out a new one. 

If you have canceled your trip, you can simply abandon your SG Arrival Card. It will be void if you don’t enter Singapore. There are no penalties and it will not affect your future travels to Singapore.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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