Entry Guide
This entry guide is meant for Singapore Citizens (SC) and Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) who have decided to return to Singapore. Returning SC/PRs can return to Singapore without the need for any Entry Approvals.
Before their return, returning SC/PRs should familiarise themselves with the indicative travel health controls measures which are imposed based on their 21-day travel history, which can be accessed here. These measures generally include any combination of the following (click on the links below for more information, including costs):
- Stay-Home Notice (SHN)
- SHN in a Dedicated Facility (SDF)
- COVID-19 Tests, e.g. COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction Test, Antigen Rapid Test
Please note that travellers who have received COVID-19 vaccination or recovered from COVID-19 are currently subjected to the prevailing health measures.
1. Pre-Departure for Singapore
A) Pre-Departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PDT)
SCs and PRs returning to Singapore by flight or ferry and PRs entering Singapore via the Causeway or Second Link are required to present a valid negative PDT result for entry into Singapore. SCs entering Singapore via the Causeway or Second Link do not need a PDT but will be subject to the prevailing travel health control measures.
The PDT requirement does not apply to travellers below the age of three (in this calendar year), and travellers who have stayed in lower-risk countries/regions for 21 consecutive days before departure for Singapore.
Click here to find out if a pre-departure test (PDT) is required before you board, and the required lead time for the test (e.g. 48 or 72 hours before departure), which depends on your travel history to various countries/regions.
The test must be taken at an accredited or authorised testing facility in the country/region of departure, and travellers should ensure that the PDT:
- Is in English (or accompanied with an English translation);
- Contains the traveller's name, and Date of Birth or Passport number (per the passport used to travel to Singapore); and
- Reflects the date and result of the PCR test.
Travellers with difficulties getting a COVID-19 PCR test before their departure can contact the Safe Travel Office via this Enquiry Form or 6812 5555.
B) Submission of Declarations & Registration for On-Arrival COVID-19 Test
Travellers who are fit for travel must:
- Submit an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with their pre-trip health and travel history declaration here
- Register and pre-pay for their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, if they are arriving via air (register here), sea or land (register here)
Travellers are also advised to activate TraceTogether and WhatsApp mobile applications on their mobile phones which will facilitate SHN compliance checks and contact tracing.
C) Request to complete the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at residence instead of SHN-Dedicated Facility (SDF)
Travellers may apply to serve their SHN at their own residence instead of an SDF here, if they have remained in the countries/regions specified in S/N 3 of this list for 21 consecutive days and are serving their SHN:
- Alone, i.e. no domestic helper(s); or
- With household members that share the same travel history and area also serving their SHN for the same duration and period.
Eligible travellers should submit their applications at least three days before arrival in Singapore. Strict enforcement action, including prosecution under the Penal Code and Infectious Diseases Act, will be taken against individuals who breach the SHN requirements or make false declarations. Upon conviction, errant travellers may be liable to a fine and/or imprisonment term.
Travellers should note that any prior approvals given to complete the SHN at a place of residence may be rescinded should the public health risk assessment change. In such an event, the prevailing travel health control measures would apply, i.e. serving SHN at an SDF.
2. Departure for Singapore
All travellers with travel history to higher risk countries/regions taking a flight or ferry to Singapore, must present a valid negative PDT report during pre-boarding checks, otherwise they may be denied boarding (see page here to check if a PDT is required).
3. Arrival in Singapore
A) Immigration Clearance
All PRs who arrive in Singapore without a valid negative PDT report may be denied entry into Singapore and could have their Entry/Re-entry Permits cancelled.
Depending on the traveller’s 21-day travel history, they will receive their SHN via the email provided in their SGAC declaration. Travellers who have visited multiple countries/regions in the past 21 days before entering Singapore, should note that the strictest set of measures will apply. Travellers who do not receive an SHN will be required to remain in self-isolation until a negative COVID-19 PCR test result is conveyed.
B) COVID-19 Tests
Travellers must take their on-arrival COVID-19 test(s), and commute directly to their self-isolation accommodation or SDF immediately. Travellers who did not pay for their test(s) before arrival, will pay on the spot.
C) Transport to Self-Isolation/SHN
Travellers are prohibited from using public transport (i.e. trains, buses, street-hailed taxis) to commute to their self-isolation/SHN accommodation or SDF. Depending on the traveller’s SHN arrangement, they have the following transport options, which will apply throughout the SHN period:
| Self-isolation/SHN arrangement | Transport Options |
|---|---|
| Self-isolation at declared accommodation, pending COVID-19 PCR test result |
|
| 7-day SHN at own accommodation | |
| SHN at SDF | Dedicated SDF transport provided, no booking required |
| Approved 14-day SHN at own residence | Strides Transportation Pte Ltd. See details here. |
4. Self-isolation, Stay-Home Notice and COVID-19 Tests
Travellers must remain in their accommodation of self-isolation or SHN/SDF, until after they are ascertained to be free of COVID-19.
All SHN-serving travellers are required to take additional COVID-19 tests during the SHN period. The table below shows the typical test schedule for all SHN serving travellers, which is automatically scheduled by the relevant agency:
| Self-isolation/SHN Period | COVID-19 PCR Test Schedule |
|---|---|
| Self-isolation | N.A. |
| 7-day SHN | PCR test on Day 7 of SHN |
| 14-day SHN at own residence | PCR test on Day 14 of SHN |
| 14-day SHN at an SDF | Self-administered ART on Day 3, 7 and 11 of arrival in Singapore, PCR test on Day 14 of SHN |
| Travellers who do not receive their test appointment details a day before the scheduled test should write to STO via this webform for assistance. | |
To view the comprehensive list of travel health control measures that would apply to you, click here.
Travellers who test positive for COVID-19 will receive the necessary medical treatment, and the prevailing treatment charges would apply.
5. Completion of Self-isolation/SHN
Travellers under self-isolation or serving SHN at their own residence may leave their accommodation when a negative COVID-19 test result is conveyed.
For travellers serving SHN at an SDF, the checkout timing would be conveyed to the traveller by the SDF.
Travellers must comply with the prevailing public health-related and safe distancing measures. This includes the use of the TraceTogether app, which allows the identification of close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case.