Electronic Arrival Cards to Replace Paper-Based Versions

The situation

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will introduce new electronic arrival cards for visitors to Singapore during a three-month trial period starting October 4, 2018. This is intended to eventually replace the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card that foreign visitors are currently required to submit upon arrival.

A closer look

• Online pre-registration. To obtain the card, travelers will need to submit their personal information and trip details (such as flight details, last port of embarkation, expected date of arrival and departure, and address in Singapore) online via the ICA website or via a mobile application. Those with families or in small groups will have the option of making a one-time group submission and trip information will be automatically replicated for all persons in the group. The mobile application will allow users to save the information submitted for use in their next trip to Singapore.
• Paperless entry. Once pre-registration is completed, travelers will only need to provide their passports at immigration checkpoints for clearance upon arrival.

Impact

• Travelers affected. This change will affect business visitors but will not have an impact on citizens, permanent residents, work pass holders and other long-term pass holders, who are already exempt from submitting disembarkation/embarkation cards.
• Entry points affected. The trial will be conducted at most Singaporean entry points, including Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, Changi Airport and cruise/ferry terminals (Singapore Cruise Centre, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Changi Point Ferry Terminal and Changi Ferry Terminal). Travelers who arrive at these checkpoints may be approached by ICA officers to participate in the trial and to provide feedback.

• Ease of travel. The change is expected to streamline the process of providing required pre-travel information. It may also streamline the immigration clearance process upon arrival.

Looking ahead

The electronic arrival card is intended to improve operational efficiency and is expected to save up to 48 million paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards per year. Additional details of the implementation will be announced after the trial.

Fragomen will monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].