Singapore SGAC (SG Arrival Card) Guide 2026
Singapore SGAC (SG Arrival Card) Guide 2026: Step-by-Step + New No-Boarding Directive Explained
Planning a trip to Singapore? There’s one pre-arrival step you can’t skip: submitting your SG Arrival Card (SGAC) online before you fly. Since 2022, paper disembarkation cards have been completely abolished — digital submission is the only accepted method. In 2026, a new No-Boarding Directive (NBD) system has added an extra layer of urgency: airlines can now deny boarding to passengers who don’t meet Singapore’s entry requirements — before you even leave your home airport. This guide covers everything you need to know, fully updated for 2026.
What Is the SG Arrival Card (SGAC)?
The SGAC is Singapore’s mandatory pre-arrival digital registration form, introduced in March 2020 and operated by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It replaced the old paper white card entirely as of late 2022.
- Covers: personal details, travel information, and a health declaration
- Required for all foreign visitors, including visa-exempt nationals
- Submitting SGAC does not guarantee entry — final admission is at the discretion of ICA officers
- Korean passport holders: visa-free entry for up to 90 days (tourism/business)
Official submission link (the only legitimate site):
eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/
What’s New in 2026: The No-Boarding Directive (NBD)
| ⚠️ NEW FROM JANUARY 30, 2026: Singapore’s No-Boarding Directive (NBD) Singapore’s ICA now issues No-Boarding Directives to airlines before departure. Previously, travelers who didn’t meet entry requirements were stopped at Changi Airport on arrival. Now, airlines can deny boarding at the DEPARTURE airport — before you even board the plane. Major carriers including Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, and Scoot are already participating. Airlines that fail to comply face fines of up to SGD 10,000 per violation. |
Who is at risk of an NBD?
- Travelers whose passport has less than 6 months’ validity from the date of arrival in Singapore
- Travelers identified as prohibited or undesirable by ICA
- Travelers without a valid visa (for nationalities that require one)
- Travelers who do not meet other Singapore entry requirements
💡 For typical tourists: if your passport is valid for 6+ months and you submit your SGAC in advance, you have nothing to worry about. The key message is this: ‘I’ll sort it at the airport’ is no longer a viable plan.
Warning: Avoid Paid Third-Party Sites
| ‼️ SGAC submission is 100% FREE — always. ICA does not authorize any paid third-party submission services. ICA has officially warned against 60+ fraudulent sites that mimic the official portal. These sites charge fees and may collect your passport number, date of birth, and email address. How to verify the official site: the page header must display ‘A Singapore Government Agency Website’ Official URL: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ |
What You Need Before You Start
- Passport — must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your Singapore arrival date, with at least 1 blank page
- Flight number of the plane landing in Singapore (e.g., SQ601, KE645)
- First accommodation name in English
- Email address for your e-Pass confirmation — double-check for typos
- Passport details for all family members / travel companions
When to Submit
| 📅 Submission window: exactly 72 hours (3 days) before arrival — no earlier Example: Arriving Singapore on July 10 → submit from July 8, 00:00 onwards (Note: July 7 is outside the 72-hour window — the system will not allow submission) Recommended: complete your SGAC 1–2 days before departure to avoid last-minute stress. |
Step-by-Step Guide
| STEP 1 | Access the Site & Select Visitor Type • Go to: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ • Language can be changed in the top-right menu (Korean available) • Click ‘Submit SGAC’ → Select ‘Foreign Visitor’ • Alternatively: download the MyICA Mobile app (iOS/Android) — supports passport scanning |
| STEP 2 | Enter Personal Information • Use the passport scan / file upload feature for auto-fill (faster, reduces typos) • ALWAYS verify the auto-filled details: name spelling, dates, passport number • Nationality: Select KOREAN, SOUTH • Country of birth: Select REPUBLIC OF KOREA • Country of residence: Search by city (e.g., SEOUL, BUSAN) — city search is more reliable • Email: This is where your e-Pass will be sent — triple-check for typos • Phone: Select +82 (South Korea) and omit the leading 0 Example: 010-1234-5678 → enter 10 1234 5678 • Answer 3 additional questions at the end — most travelers answer ‘No’ to all |
| STEP 3 | Enter Trip Information • Last city before Singapore: The city you departed from (e.g., Seoul) • Purpose of visit: Tourism → select ‘Holiday/Sightseeing/Leisure’ • Transport mode: AIR → Commercial Flight → enter flight number • Accommodation: Search by hotel name in English — most hotels in Singapore are findable If staying at multiple places, only the first accommodation is needed • Next destination: The city you’ll travel to after Singapore |
| STEP 4 | Review & Submit • Review all entries carefully — especially passport number, name, and flight number • Click the pencil icon to edit any field • Enter the security verification number → Submit • After submission: a customs/cash declaration option appears — skip if nothing to declare |
| STEP 5 | Save Your Confirmation (e-Pass) • Download the confirmation PDF or save the email confirmation with QR code • Screenshot for backup — you may be asked to show it at check-in or immigration • If you need to make corrections: use ‘Update SGAC’ → a new barcode and e-Pass will be issued Always save the updated file, not the original |
Group / Family Submission — One Person Submits for All
One representative can submit for up to 10 travelers in a single session using the ‘Add Traveller’ button.
- From the second traveler onwards: check ‘same itinerary’ to auto-fill flight and accommodation details
- Each traveler receives their own individual e-Pass and QR code
- Works for family, friends, or any group sharing the same flight and accommodation
- Using passport scan for each additional traveler takes under 1 minute per person
At Changi Airport: Arrival Process
e-Gate (Korean Passport Holders)
- Korean passport holders are eligible to use automated e-Gates at Changi Airport
- Your SGAC data is already pre-loaded in ICA’s system — no need to show a physical copy in most cases
- First-time visitors may need to register fingerprints/iris at a staffed counter before e-Gate access is activated
- Subsequent visits: use e-Gates freely
General Arrival Flow
- Follow ‘Arrivals’ signs → Proceed to Immigration clearance
- e-Gate: scan passport → face scan → gate opens (SGAC already linked)
- Or: staffed counter → show SGAC confirmation + passport
- Collect checked baggage
- Customs: Green Channel (nothing to declare) or Red Channel (items to declare)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SGAC submission mandatory?
Yes — with one exception: transit passengers who do not clear immigration are exempt. All other foreign visitors must submit before arrival. Failure to submit may cause delays at check-in or immigration, and could contribute to an NBD trigger in combination with other entry issues.
Q: Do I need to print the e-Pass?
No. A digital copy on your phone is sufficient. However, saving a PDF or screenshot is strongly recommended as a backup, in case you’re asked to show it at check-in or at immigration.
Q: I’m entering Singapore by road from Malaysia — do I still need SGAC?
Yes. SGAC is required for all entry modes — air, sea, and land. However, the No-Boarding Directive currently applies only to air and sea checkpoints. Land border crossings are not subject to NBD as of 2026.
Q: My flight changed after I submitted — what do I do?
Use the ‘Update SGAC’ function on the official site to correct your details and resubmit. A new e-Pass and barcode will be generated. Make sure to save the updated version and discard the old one.
Q: Do children need their own SGAC submission?
Yes. Each traveler, including children, needs an individual SGAC. A parent or guardian can submit on their behalf using the ‘Add Traveller’ group submission feature — it takes less than a minute per additional person using passport scanning.
Q: What happens if I’m denied boarding under the NBD?
You may contact ICA through the official ICA Feedback Channel to seek approval and clarify your entry status before rebooking your flight. Do not simply rebook without resolving the underlying issue first — the same outcome is likely to occur.
Hashtags
#Singapore #SGAC #SGArrivalCard #SingaporeEntry #SingaporeTravel #ChangiAirport #NoBoardingDirective #NBD #VisitSingapore #SingaporeVisa #ICA #TravelTips #SingaporeGuide #FamilyTravel #TripRang