The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has been conducting a trial since October 2018, where foreign visitors who did not complete the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card on arrival at our checkpoints, can submit an electronic arrival card at the checkpoint.
From 14 August 2019, ICA will be extending the trial with the launch of the beta version of the “SG Arrival Card” e-Service on the ICA website and mobile application. Foreign visitors travelling via selected transport operators can then submit the electronic arrival card up to 14 days ahead of their arrival in Singapore. This means that they will only need to produce their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival, as ICA’s immigration system will already have the electronic arrival cards which they submitted in advance.
“SG Arrival Card” e-Service and Mobile Application
The “SG Arrival Card” will be available as an e-Service at ICA’s website at https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard, and can also be downloaded as a free mobile application from Apple App Store and Google Play. Users of the mobile application will have the option of scanning their passport biodata pages, and enjoy the convenience of not needing to manually key in the information. The mobile application will also save previously submitted information for use on subsequent trips to Singapore.
Trial with Selected Transport Operators
For this trial, only foreign visitors travelling to Singapore via selected air, bus and ferry transport operators can submit electronic arrival cards via the “SG Arrival Card” e-Service or mobile application. All other visitors are still required to complete the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards . These transport operators are:
a. Airlines – AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines
b. Coach – Transtar Travel
c. Ferries – BatamFast Ferries, Bintan Resort Ferries, Horizon Fast Ferry, and Majestic Fast Ferry
Towards a Paperless Immigration Clearance Process
The implementation of the electronic arrival card is part of ICA’s efforts to enhance the immigration clearance process for foreign visitors to Singapore, and is a significant step towards ICA’s vision of paperless immigration clearance. By 2021, the electronic arrival card will completely replace the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card. ICA will study the results of this trial and progressively extend the “SG Arrival Card” facility to all foreign visitors. More details will be announced when ready.
