Frequently Asked Questions
Air Travel Pass (ATP) Frequently Asked Questions
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Overview of the Air Travel Pass (ATP)
1. What is an ATP?
An ATP allows visitors travelling from one of the following countries/regions to seek entry into Singapore:
- Hong Kong
- Macao
- Mainland China
- Taiwan
The ATP comes with conditions of travel that the applicant must comply with.
2. How can visitors apply for an ATP?
To apply for an ATP, please go to apply now. Do note that applications for the ATP must be made between seven and 60 calendar days prior to the intended date of entry into Singapore.
3. How long will it take for an ATP application to be processed?
We will endeavour to get back to the applicant within three working days.
4. Is there a fee to apply for an ATP?
No, there is no fee payable for the application of an ATP. However, with effect from 16 September 2021, applicants will have to make payment for their on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test when they receive the payment notification email. Applications will only be approved when payment is received by the deadline indicated in the payment notification email.
For applications made before 16 September 2021, applications will have to make pre-payment for their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test separately at https://safetravel.changiairport.com/
5. Do visitors travelling with family members need to apply an ATP for every individual?
Yes, each visitor will require an ATP. In the case of a minor (below 18 years old), consent must be given by the parent or guardian for the application.
6. Is there a limit to the number of times visitors can apply for an ATP?
There is no limit to the number of times visitors can apply for an ATP. Every entry into Singapore requires a new ATP application.
7. How long is the validity of an ATP?
An ATP is valid for single entry into Singapore anytime from the visitor’s intended date of entry and up to seven calendar days after.
For example, visitors who hold a valid ATP to enter Singapore on 1 October 2021, have up to 8 October 2021 to do so should they need to make changes to their flight departure date.
8. Once an ATP application is approved, can the relevant authorities change the conditions of travel or even cancel the ATP?
Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevant authorities in Singapore may introduce new measures or requirements as and when necessary to safeguard public health. This may result in changes to the conditions or cancellation of the ATP at short notice. Applicants will be notified of any such changes or cancellation of their ATP.
9. Do Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents / Long-Term Pass holders need to apply for an Air Travel Pass?
No, Singapore Citizens (SC), Permanent Residents (PR), and Long-Term Pass holders must travel via the Returning SC/PRs lane, Work Pass Holder General Lane or Student’s Pass Holder Lane. These travellers should not apply for an ATP to travel to Singapore.
For information on border control measures, please refer to ICA’s website here.
10. Can travel agents apply for Air Travel Pass on behalf of their clients?
No. Visitors will need to submit the application themselves as they are required to agree to the conditions of the ATP, read and agree to the Privacy Statement, as well as verify all submitted information.
11. Why was I unsuccessful in applying for an ATP?
An ATP application may be unsuccessful for reasons such as:
- Incomplete and/or incorrect information submitted
- Passport validity is less than 6 months
- Failure to complete payment for your on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test
12. Can visitors use the ATP to transit/transfer through Singapore?
No, the ATP is for visitors who intend to enter Singapore and is not applicable for transfer/transit passengers. At this point in time, travellers will only be able to transfer through Singapore Changi Airport if they are travelling with an airline whose transfer routes have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Travellers should confirm with their airline on their eligibility to transfer.
ATP Requirements for Entry into Singapore
1. What are the ATP conditions of travel?
Visitors must comply with the ATP Conditions here.
2. Are visitors allowed to make any transit stops prior to arrival in Singapore?
Visitors entering Singapore with effect from 26 October 2021, 2359hrs (Singapore time), may travel to Singapore on flights with transit stops.
Visitors entering Singapore before 26 October 2021, 2359hrs (Singapore time) may only take direct flights to Singapore without transit.
3. What must visitors present to airline staff during check-in at the departure airport for Singapore?
When checking in at the departure airport, visitors must present the following to the airline staff:
- a valid ATP approval letter (electronic or physical copy) for the specified period of entry into Singapore; and
- a valid visa (for visa-required visitors); and
- [From 2 December 2021, 2359 hrs, SGT] a valid pre-departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) test result certificate (electronic or physical copy) in English stating the following:
- the traveller's name, and at least one other personal identifier such as the date of birth or passport number corresponding exactly with the information in the ATP holder's passport used for entry into Singapore;
- a negative COVID-19 test result;
- the date and time when the COVID-19 test was taken, which must be within 2 days before departure for Singapore; and </a>
- the name of the testng institution conducting the COVID-19 test, which must be from the list of internationally accredited or recognised laboratories, clinics, or medical facilities
A visitor who does not have any of the above may be refused boarding by the airline.
Children who are aged 2 and below in that calendar year (i.e. in the year 2021, those who are born in or after 2019), are not required to undergo a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
Children who are aged 7 to 12 years in that calendar year, and those unable to use a mobile device due to a certified disability or special need, are eligible to be issued TraceTogether tokens with payment of a S$50 deposit (in lieu of the requirement to have a mobile device with the TraceTogether app downloaded) at the Changi Recommends booth at Changi Airport upon arrival in Singapore.
Children aged 6 years or younger in that calendar year are exempted from the TraceTogether requirement.
For visitors who do not have mobile devices to download the TraceTogether app or are unable to receive an SMS One-Time Password to register their profile on the TraceTogether app, please refer to Questions 5 and 6 under Contact Tracing – TraceTogether.
4. Do visitors need a return flight ticket to enter Singapore?
Visitors travelling on the ATP do not need a return flight ticket to enter Singapore. However, they are advised to check with the relevant authorities on the procedures and approval needed to return to their country/region of departure, or to enter their onward destination.
Visa Application
1. Do visitors with a valid ATP need to apply separately for a visa to enter Singapore?
Visitors, who require a visa for travel to Singapore, must separately obtain a visa after receiving their ATP approval and before departing for Singapore.
If visitors have already been issued with visas that are still valid or if they are eligible for the visa-free transit facility, they do not need to apply for a visa.
Visitors may refer to ICA’s website here for information on visa requirements and application.
2. How long can visitors stay in Singapore?
Visitors who are granted entry into Singapore will be issued with a visit pass by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the immigration checkpoints. The duration of stay in Singapore will be generally aligned to that accorded to the passport holder prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please note that the ATP is not an immigration visit pass. It only allows visitors to travel to and seek entry into Singapore within a specified period.
3. Are visitors able to extend their duration of stay in Singapore?
All applications for extension of visit pass must be submitted online using ICA’s e-service here at least seven days prior to the expiry of the visit pass to avoid overstaying. Each application will be considered on its own merits and there is no guarantee that an extension will be granted.
Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test
Note: Children aged 2 and below in the calendar year (i.e. in the year 2021, those who are born in or after 2019) are not required to undergo a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
1. Are visitors required to take any pre-departure COVID-19 tests?
From 2 December 2021, 2359 hrs (Singapore time), all visitors entering Singapore, except those aged 2 and below in the calendar year (i.e. in the year 2021, those who are born in or after 2019), must undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 2 days before departure for Singapore.
The pre-departure COVID-19 test must be taken at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic, or medical facility. The test result must be in English and state the following:
- the traveller's name, and at least one other personal identifier such as the date of birth or passport number corresponding exactly with the information in the traveller's passport used for entry into Singapore;
- a negative COVID-19 test result;
- the date and time when the COVID-19 test was taken; and
- the name of the testing institution conducting the COVID-19 test;
Travellers are responsible for making their own appointments with the testing institutions to take their pre-departure COVID-19 test. They must also bear the cost of their pre-departure COVID-19 test. Please check with the listed testing institutions for the cost of the test.
Travellers who are unable to produce a valid pre-departure COVID-19 test result certificate during check-in at the departure airport will be refused boarding by the airline.
Mandatory COVID-19 Travel Insurance Coverage
1. Why is there a need for visitors to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance?
This is to ensure that short-term visitors are able to bear the full cost of medical treatment, tests and isolation imposed on them for public health reasons, should they be suspected of being infected with COVID-19, or require medical treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore. Those who test positive for COVID-19 typically receive care in private hospitals.
2. What is the minimum coverage for COVID-19 travel insurance?
Visitors must purchase travel insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Singapore, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to travel to Singapore. Should their COVID-19 treatment cost go beyond S$30,000, visitors will have to pay for the excess.
3. How can visitors purchase the required insurance coverage?
Visitors must purchase COVID-19 travel insurance prior to their travel to Singapore. The SafeTravel website provides a list of the Singapore-based insurers’ products. Visitors can visit the respective insurers’ websites to purchase the inbound insurance plan. They may reach out to the insurers for more information.
4. Do visitors need to show proof of travel insurance purchase when they apply for the ATP?
Visitors will have to declare, at the point of ATP application, that they will purchase travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to travel to Singapore. They must also carry with them an electronic or physical copy of their insurance policy to facilitate their entry into Singapore.
5. What penalties will be imposed on traveller if he did not buy the insurance prior to entering Singapore?
Purchase of travel insurance is a condition of the Air Travel Pass. Non-compliance with any of the conditions of the Air Travel Pass may result in refusal of entry into Singapore and/or cancellation of the Air Travel Pass. In such an event, the Air Travel Pass holder may be liable for the cost of his/her repatriation, including custody and maintenance pending repatriation. Future Air Travel Pass applications may also be rejected.
On-Arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
1. Are visitors required to take an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test?
Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the airport, in lieu of a Stay-Home Notice. The test results will likely be available within 24 hours.
After taking the COVID-19 PCR test, visitors are to immediately take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation. They must remain isolated at the accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative. After being notified of their negative test results, visitors will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.
To expedite the COVID-19 PCR test at the airport, visitors should pre-book and make payment here.
2. What types of transportation do visitors need to use when going from the airport to their declared place of accommodation, after taking the COVID-19 PCR test?
After taking the COVID-19 PCR test, visitors are to immediately take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car (e.g. GrabSHN, Go-Jek, Ryde, MVL(TADA), via the respective providers’ apps) from the airport to their declared place of accommodation.
3. Can visitors shop and eat at Changi Airport and visit Jewel Changi Airport upon arrival in Singapore?
No, visitors are not allowed to shop and eat at Changi Airport, including Jewel Changi Airport. This is because visitors are required to leave the airport immediately after their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, to isolate in their declared accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative.
The only exception is for the procurement of goods and services from permitted concessionaires within the airport transit area or the cordoned-off area in the Arrivals Hall.
Visitors will only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after being notified of their negative test results.
4. What types of accommodation do visitors need to use while waiting for their test results?
Travellers can self-isolate at any of the following locations:
- Residential accommodation, e.g. own/shared residence, rented residence (please note minimum rental period regulations for Private Property and HDB flat / Bedroom); or
- non-residential accommodation such as hotel or serviced apartment in this non-exhaustive list. Before booking, travellers should confirm that the accommodation allows guests who are self-isolating whilst awaiting their on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result.
[Advisory for travellers self-isolating with household members] Travellers may serve self-isolation at their residence with other household members, regardless of vaccination status or travel history. However, travellers residing with unvaccinated vulnerable household members, are strongly encouraged to serve their self-isolation in a room and minimise contact. If this is not feasible, travellers are advised to consider alternative accommodation.
Travellers should designate a specific bathroom to be used by themselves. If a bathroom has to be shared, the following actions are suggested:
- Lower the lid before flushing the toilet;
- Clean and disinfect contact surfaces after each use; and
- Avoid using the toilet for at least 20 minutes after it is used by the person who is serving self-isolation.
5. Can visitors share the same room with family members / travel companions / a caretaker (due to a certified disability or special needs) while waiting for their PCR test results?
Yes, while waiting for their PCR test results, visitors are allowed to share the same room with their family members, travel companions or a caretaker, if they share similar travel history in the past 14 days prior to departure for Singapore.
Please also note that if the visitor’s test result is confirmed to be positive, all persons who had shared the same room with the visitor, as well as those identified to be a close contact, will be issued a Quarantine Order by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH).
6. Do children need to undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test?
Children below 3 years of age in that calendar year are not required to undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test. However, children whose close contacts are found to be tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to take the test.
7. How much is the on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test at the airport?
The cost of the COVID-19 PCR test is S$125 (inclusive of Goods and Services Tax). Visitors will bear the cost of the test in Singapore.
To expedite the COVID-19 PCR test at the airport, visitors should pre-book and make payment here.
8. What happens if visitors refuse to undergo the on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test?
If visitors refuse to undergo the on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, they may be refused entry into Singapore and have their ATP cancelled. In such an event, visitors may also be liable for all costs incurred for their repatriation, including custody and maintenance pending repatriation.
9. Can my company / family member / friend pick me up from the airport in a private vehicle and transport me to my declared place of accommodation where I will be waiting for my COVID-19 PCR test results?
Visitors entering Singapore on an approved Air Travel Pass may be picked up from the airport by their company / family member / friend in a private vehicle. There should not be more than one person picking the visitor up from the airport.
Visitors must be transported directly to their declared place of accommodation to await their COVID-19 PCR test results. All persons in the private vehicle must wear face masks throughout the journey. The following precautionary measures are also strongly encouraged:
- The visitor should sit alone in the back seat and the front passenger seat should be left unoccupied.
- If more than one visitor is picked up, visitors sharing the same vehicle should have the same travel history and head to the same declared accommodation.
- The vehicle windows should be wound down and the air-conditioning turned off, where practical.
- After the visitor has been dropped off at his/her declared accommodation, the driver should wipe down the vehicle. Please refer to the National Environment Agency (NEA) guidelines for surface cleaning and disinfection.
Contact Tracing – TraceTogether
For the full requirements and conditions governing the use of TraceTogether, please click here. General FAQs on TraceTogether can be found here.
1. Must every visitor use TraceTogether?
Yes. All visitors to Singapore must download the TraceTogether app prior to their departure for Singapore. Upon arrival, visitors must activate and use the app (see questions 2 and 3 for app activation queries) for the duration of their stay in Singapore.
Children who are aged 7 to 12 years in that calendar year, and those unable to use a mobile device due to a certified disability or special need, are eligible to be issued TraceTogether tokens with payment of a S$50 deposit (in lieu of the requirement to have a mobile device with the TraceTogether app downloaded) at the Changi Recommends booth at Changi Airport or Seletar Business Aviation Centre at Seletar Airport upon arrival in Singapore. As each token is uniquely tagged to each individual, visitors are reminded to carry their own tokens with them wherever they go, and not exchange their tokens with others.
Children aged 6 years or younger in that calendar year are exempted from the TraceTogether requirement.
2. After downloading the TraceTogether app, how do I activate it?
After downloading the TraceTogether app, you need to follow the instructions that appear when you launch the app. You will need to verify your mobile number with an SMS One-Time Password and register your profile on the app with the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as those shown in the passport that you are using to enter Singapore.
Please ensure that your TraceTogether App is updated to the latest version. You will see the Holding Screen after you have registered your profile. You must click on the ‘ACTIVATE APP’ button on the Holding Screen immediately after you have cleared arrival immigration in Singapore. Follow the instructions until you reach the Home Screen.
| Holding Screen | Home Screen |
|---|---|
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For more information, please refer to the TraceTogether website.
If you require assistance on how to download and activate the TraceTogether app, please email support@tracetogether.gov.sg.
3. I have downloaded the TraceTogether app, but I cannot activate the app. What should I do?
Please check that your app has been updated to the latest version.
You can activate your app only after clearing Singapore immigration. There might be a short lag after clearing immigration before you can activate the app.
If you still are unable to activate your app after immigration clearance, it could be because you did not register your profile with the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as those shown in the passport that you have used to enter Singapore. Follow the instructions to be navigated back to the Holding Screen.
You can edit your passport details by clicking the ‘edit’ button on the Holding Screen, as indicated below.
If you still face issues, please email support@tracetogether.gov.sg with your query and details of the issue you are facing, or call the support helpline at +65 6973 6511 during operating hours.
4. If I change my mobile device or SIM card when I arrive in Singapore, do I need to download the TraceTogether app again?
If you change your mobile device, you are required to download the TraceTogether app again on your new mobile device and activate it by following the instructions that appear when you launch the app.
If you change your SIM card but are still using the same mobile device, you will not need to download the TraceTogether app again.
Please ensure that you keep your mobile device’s Bluetooth function turned on so that the TraceTogether app remains activated throughout your stay in Singapore.
5. What happens if visitors do not have a mobile device to download the TraceTogether app?
All visitors must have a mobile device to download the TraceTogether app. They are responsible for ensuring that their mobile device is compatible with the TraceTogether app. The TraceTogether App can be downloaded from the iOS Play Store and Google Play Store and Huawei App Gallery.
Visitors with mobile devices that are unable to download the TraceTogether app, may wish to rent a mobile device that is compatible.
Upon collection, they must download the TraceTogether app and immediately register their profile on the app with their Singapore mobile number and the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as those shown in the passport that you are using to enter Singapore.
Visitors, who have rented a mobile device must carry it with them at all times during their stay in Singapore until it is returned. If you change to another mobile device during your stay in Singapore, you must download and activate the TraceTogether app on that device. You must also retain the app on that device for the rest of your stay.
6. What happens if visitors are unable to receive an SMS One-Time Password (OTP) to register their profile on the TraceTogether app?
Visitors who can download the TraceTogether app but are unable to obtain an SMS OTP to register their profile on the app due to network restrictions, can purchase a Singapore SIM card.
Upon purchase, visitors are to activate the Singapore SIM card and immediately register their profile on the TraceTogether app with their Singapore mobile number and the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as those shown in the passport that you are using to enter Singapore.
7. Can visitors switch off their mobile devices while in Singapore?
No, visitors must keep mobile devices and the Bluetooth function switched on at all times while in Singapore.
8. Where do visitors return their TraceTogether tokens?
Visitors must return their own TraceTogether tokens in-person at any of the following places: Changi Recommends booths at the Changi Airport Departure Hall, Seletar Business Aviation Centre at Seletar Airport, Woodlands Checkpoint, Tuas Checkpoint or Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, prior to their departure from Singapore.
The S$50 deposit will be refunded if:
- the TraceTogether token the visitor is returning belongs to him/her; and
- the visitor had made a deposit for the TraceTogether token being returned; and
- the TraceTogether token is not faulty or damaged.