Singapore Arrival Card 2026: free to file, but only within three days of arrival
The Singapore Arrival Card is a free online formality every visitor completes before landing — with one timing rule that catches people out: it can only be submitted within three days of arrival. Here is who needs it, when to file it, what to have ready, and what to check afterwards.
What is the Singapore Arrival Card, and who needs one?
The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is run by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and replaced the old paper card. According to ICA, all travellers must submit before arrival, with two exceptions: passengers transiting without immigration clearance, and Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders arriving at land checkpoints.
On visas, Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs lists Singapore as visa-free for up to 30 days for Taiwan passport holders, with an extension to be applied for after arrival if a longer stay is needed (list updated 23 July 2026). Visa-free status does not remove the arrival card obligation — they are separate requirements.
A Taiwan passport holder arriving for tourism or business always falls inside the requirement — by air, by cruise ship, or overland from Malaysia.
Singapore Arrival Card timing: the three-day window
This is the rule worth remembering. The system only accepts submissions within three days of arrival. ICA gives the example of a 30 June arrival, for which submissions open on 28 June.
- An early submission is blocked by design — the site is not broken.
- Save your flight number and hotel address when you book, then file once inside the window.
- Family members travelling together can be submitted in a single group application.
- If your flight or hotel changes, submit again; the latest submission is the one that counts.
How to fill in the Singapore Arrival Card
- ・Connected the moment you land at Changi — no queue, no SMS verification
- ・No SIM swap: install in advance, then switch on data roaming on arrival
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
Three things people get wrong about the Singapore Arrival Card
- Filing two weeks ahead. The window opens three days before arrival, and earlier attempts are rejected.
- Paying an agency. ICA says plainly that it endorses no commercial service; the card itself costs nothing.
- Assuming land arrivals are exempt. Visitors crossing from Malaysia still submit; only local residents are exempt at land checkpoints.
Getting online in Singapore: eSIM, local SIM and roaming compared
| Option | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Most visitors who need data immediately | Handset must support eSIM; install before departure |
| Local physical SIM | Longer stays needing a Singapore number | Airport queue, and keeping your original SIM safe |
| International roaming | Transits under a day | Higher rates; confirm the daily cap first |
| Airport free Wi-Fi | Quick lookups | SMS verification makes it slowest exactly when you need it most |
Singapore is compact and fast-moving, so the MRT app and ride-hailing get constant use and a dropped connection is felt immediately. Plan comparisons are in our Singapore eSIM guide. If Malaysia is on the same trip, see the Malaysia MDAC guide for that border.
Singapore Arrival Card: frequently asked questions
Is the Singapore Arrival Card free?
Yes. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) states on its own site that it does not support or endorse commercial services that charge for submission, so any site asking for a fee is not an official channel.
How early can I submit the SGAC?
Within three days of arrival, and no earlier. ICA's own example: for a 30 June arrival, submissions open on 28 June. This is the detail that catches most travellers out, because an early submission is simply rejected.
Who has to submit a Singapore Arrival Card?
Every traveller, with two exceptions: passengers transiting without immigration clearance, and Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering by land. Taiwan passport holders always need one.
Does the SGAC include a health declaration?
Yes. The health declaration is a mandatory part of the submission and applies to residents and visitors alike.
Do I need to print the confirmation?
No. The confirmation is electronic and checked against the system on arrival. A screenshot is still worth keeping in case the arrival hall network is slow.
What is the simplest way to get online in Singapore?
Changi's free Wi-Fi needs SMS verification, which is awkward in the first few minutes after landing. Installing an eSIM before you fly avoids that entirely — the Peanutmo Singapore eSIM runs on Singtel, the country's largest network.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
Singtel coverage and how to pick the right number of days and data.
The Malaysian side of the border for a combined Singapore–Malaysia trip.
How long the airport counter really takes, and when buying on arrival makes sense.
A usage table that works just as well for a short city break.
