Immigration update: COVID-19 border measures scrapped for arrivals in Singapore

Singapore government announced that all COVID-19 border measures are scrapped from Monday, 13 February 2023. This is regardless of vaccination status or traveler profile.

Who will be affected?

All travelers entering Singapore from 13 February 2023 as visitors only.

Background

On 9 February 2023, the Multi-Ministry Task Force announced that Singapore will move towards Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Green and relax COVID-19 measures in the community.

The Ministry of Health said that removing all COVID-19 border measures came in as the country is seeing an improved pandemic situation globally and the low impact of imported cases on Singapore’s healthcare.

The Ministry of Manpower has also addressed vaccination requirements for Work Pass Application. All foreigners who apply for new work passes must still be fully vaccinated (including booster, if required) with WHO-EUL vaccines as part of work pass requirements.

The below requirements remain:

Foreigners who were vaccinated overseas

After entering Singapore, foreigners must verify their overseas vaccination records and update them in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) by taking a serology test or getting their digitally-verifiable vaccination certificates (DVCs) verified at a local clinic.

Impact

There are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travelers arriving in Singapore from 13 Feb 2023, regardless of vaccination status or traveler profile. Travelers must ensure that they fulfil all other general entry requirements outlined below:

Passport Validity

• Have minimum 6-month passport validity if you are not a Singapore passport holder.

Visa

• Short term travelers holding a passport or travel document from a visa-required country/region must apply for a Visa.
• Visa-required travelers can use the Visa-Free Transit Facility for a stay of less than 96 hours in Singapore, if eligible.

SG Arrival Card (SGAC)

• All travelers must fill in the SGAC declaration up to 3 days before arrival.
• Only Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders entering via land checkpoints do not need to fill in the SGAC.

Security and Immigration Processes on Arrival

• Ensure that you do not bring prohibited items into Singapore.
• Familiarize yourself with immigration/customs clearance procedures, including whether you are eligible for automated clearance.
• Short-Term travelers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel (tickets, visas) and ensure that you do not stay beyond your visit pass validity. You may retrieve your e-Pass after arrival using the e-Pass Enquiry Portal or check your visit pass validity using the visit pass validity tool.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

• Produce an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever if you have visited any country at risk of Yellow Fever transmission in the past six (6) days before arrival in Singapore.
• Travelers must serve quarantine for up to six (6) days on arrival if they cannot meet the requirement. Quarantine also applies to those ineligible to receive the vaccination, e.g. children aged one year and below and individuals with contraindications.

Implementation date

13 February 2023

Santa Fe analysis

With the announcement to remove the COVID-19 travel measures, Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) remains a permanent feature to guard against the impact of infectious diseases and for a smoother immigration arrival clearance process.

In addition to the above, these changes create more business opportunities allowing business travelers to meet in person despite their vaccination status and, simultaneously, reduced added costs for organizations.

For more information or assistance, please contact:

Leesa Abdullah
​Immigration Manager – Singapore
​Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D:  +65 6398 8523
​E: leesa.abdullah@santaferelo.com

Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
​Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D:  +44 7990 021125
​E: robert.day@santaferelo.com