Singapore is making its arrival process easier for international travellers with a major update to the SG Arrival Card (SGAC), introducing a refreshed interface, seven additional language options and a new passport-scan autofill feature.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that the enhanced SG Arrival Card will be available from August 26, 2026, through the official SGAC e-Service and the MyICA mobile application.
The changes are designed to make submitting arrival information faster and easier, particularly for overseas visitors who may not be comfortable using the existing language options.
Seven New Languages Added
The upgraded SGAC will support 19 languages, up from the current 12.
The seven newly added options are:
- Arabic
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Dutch
- Tagalog
- Italian
- Spanish
- Russian
The existing language options include English, Malay, Bengali, German, French, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil, Thai, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Korean.
The expanded language support could be particularly useful for Singapore’s growing number of international visitors, reducing the language barrier when completing mandatory arrival information.
Passport Scanning Could Make the Process Faster
Another major change is passport-scan autofill.
Instead of manually entering personal information, travellers will be able to scan their passport so that relevant details can be automatically populated into the SGAC form.
ICA says the refreshed interface is intended to provide smoother navigation and a more user-friendly submission experience.
The new feature replaces some of the friction associated with the existing process, which includes options such as retrieving information using a passport or visa reference number.
SG Arrival Card Is Still Mandatory for Most Travellers
Despite the redesign, the basic requirement has not changed.
Travellers entering Singapore generally need to submit the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration within three days, including the day of arrival, before reaching Singapore.
The SGAC is not a visa. Travellers who require a Singapore visa must still obtain the appropriate visa separately. Having an SG Arrival Card submission also does not guarantee entry into Singapore, as travellers remain subject to immigration requirements and clearance.
Travellers transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance are exempt from submitting the SGAC. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and certain long-term pass holders entering through land checkpoints also fall under specific exemptions.
Travellers Should Watch Out for Fake SGAC Websites
ICA continues to stress that the SG Arrival Card submission is free of charge.
Travellers should therefore be cautious of websites or third-party services that ask for payment to complete the form. ICA says it does not endorse commercial entities that charge travellers for SGAC submissions.
The safest option is to submit the declaration through Singapore’s official ICA channels or the official MyICA mobile application.
What Travellers Should Do Before Flying to Singapore
The new system does not remove the need for travellers to prepare before arrival.
Travellers should:
- Submit the SG Arrival Card within the permitted three-day window before arrival.
- Use only official ICA channels.
- Ensure passport and travel information is entered accurately.
- Complete the electronic health declaration truthfully.
- Check separately whether a Singapore visa is required.
- Keep their passport or valid travel document available for immigration clearance.
Singapore’s current entry requirements also state that foreign travellers generally need a passport with at least six months’ validity, while visa requirements depend on nationality and travel-document status.
Why the Update Matters
The SG Arrival Card has become a key part of Singapore’s digital border-clearance system since the country phased out the paper embarkation/disembarkation card.
The latest changes are less about introducing a new immigration requirement and more about removing friction from an existing one.
With 19 language options and passport scanning, Singapore is effectively trying to make one of the first steps of a visitor’s journey more accessible and less time-consuming.
For travellers arriving from August 26 onward, the biggest takeaway is simple: the SG Arrival Card remains required for most visitors, but submitting it should become easier.
And because the service is free, travellers should think twice before paying a third party to submit something they can complete through Singapore’s official immigration channels themselves.
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