Frequently Asked Questions
Air Travel Pass (ATP)
1. What is an ATP?
An ATP allows visitors1 travelling from Taiwan to seek entry into Singapore.
The ATP comes with conditions of travel that the applicant must comply with.
2. When can visitors start applying for an ATP?
Visitors travelling from Taiwan can apply for an ATP from 11 December 2020, 1400hrs, Singapore time (GMT +8), for entry into Singapore from 18 December 2020, 0000hrs.
3. How can visitors apply for an ATP?
Applications for the ATP can be made between seven and thirty calendar days prior to the intended date of entry into Singapore.
For example, visitors who intend to enter Singapore on 31 December 2020 must apply for an ATP between 1 December 2020 and 24 December 2020.
4. 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.
5. Is there a fee to apply for an ATP?
No, there is no fee payable for the application of an ATP.
6. 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.
7. 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.
If submitting multiple ATP applications, visitors should ensure that the intended date of entry into Singapore for each application is at least 7 calendar days apart. This is because an ATP is valid from the visitor’s intended date of entry and up to 7 calendar days after. Otherwise, only the application with the latest intended date of entry will be processed and the rest rejected.
8. 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 10 December 2020, have up to 17 December 2020 to do so should they need to make changes to their flight departure date.
9. 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.
10. How long can visitors stay in Singapore?
Visitors who are granted entry into Singapore will be issued with a visit pass by 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.
11. 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 (https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/esvclandingpage/extend) 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.
12. Do Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents / Long-Term Pass holders need to apply for an Air Travel Pass?
No, Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders are not required to apply for an ATP. However, Long-Term Pass holders will still have to seek entry approval from the relevant Singapore Government agencies before travelling to Singapore.
For information on border control measures, please refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website here.
13. Can travel agents apply for an 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.
14. Why was my ATP application rejected?
An ATP application may be rejected for reasons such as:
- Incomplete and/or incorrect information submitted
- Duplicate applications
- Duplicate mobile number submitted [Note: Each visitor must provide his/her own mobile number and remain contactable at that number throughout his/her stay in Singapore, with the exception of those below 18 years old.]
- Multiple applications with intended dates of entry that are less than 7 days apart [Note: If submitting multiple ATP applications, visitors should ensure that the intended date of entry into Singapore for each application is at least 7 calendar days apart. This is because an ATP is valid from the visitor’s intended date of entry and up to 7 calendar days after.]
Visa Application
15. 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 valid 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 website (https://www.ica.gov.sg/visitor/visitor_entryvisa) for information on visa requirements and application.
ATP Conditions of Travel
16. What are the ATP conditions of travel?
Visitors must comply with the ATP Conditions here.
17. Why must visitors take direct flights without transit to Singapore?
This is to protect public health in Singapore by ensuring that visitors are not travelling to Singapore via a country/region with high virus prevalence rates.
On-Arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
18. 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 be out within 48 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 are strongly encouraged to pre-book and make payment at https://safetravel.changiairport.com.
19. Can visitors enter the shops in the public area (e.g. to buy food or beverages) within airport terminals or Jewel upon arrival in Singapore?
No, visitors may not enter any of these shops. 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. Visitors will only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after being notified of their negative test results.
20. What types of accommodation do visitors need to use while waiting for their test results?
The accommodation must be non-residential and must be an individual room with an attached toilet.
Visitors are required to bear the cost of their accommodation in Singapore.
Visitors may refer to the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) website for a list of hotels currently accepting visitors travelling to Singapore under the Green Lane or Air Travel Pass. The list is non-exhaustive and visitors may book other available accommodation as long as these are non-residential. Please note that visitors must stay in individual rooms with an attached toilet.
21. 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).
22. Do children need to undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test?
Children aged 6 or younger 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.
23. How much is the on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test at the airport?
The cost of the COVID-19 PCR test is S$160 (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 are strongly encouraged to pre-book and make payment at https://safetravel.changiairport.com.
24. 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.
25. 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 App
26. What is the TraceTogether app? Does the Singapore Government track visitors’ movements via the app?
The TraceTogether app supports nationwide efforts to combat COVID-19 by enabling community-driven contact tracing. It facilitates the contact tracing process by exchanging Bluetooth signals with nearby mobile devices running the same app. The proximity data collected allows the identification of people who were in close contact with an infected person more efficiently. The proximity data collected is stored locally in the user’s mobile device, and is shared with the Singapore Ministry of Health if the user tests positive for COVID-19. The TraceTogether app does not collect or track location data.
27. Must every visitor download the TraceTogether app?
Yes, all visitors to Singapore must download the TraceTogether app. They must do so prior to departing for Singapore.
Children aged 12 or younger in that calendar year and travelling with a parent/guardian are exempted from this requirement. Visitors with a certified disability or special need are also exempted.
28. After downloading the TraceTogether app, how do I activate it?
After downloading the TraceTogether app, you need to activate it by following 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 passport number you have submitted for your ATP application. 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.
29. If I change my mobile device on 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. You must also retain your previous mobile device with the TraceTogether app up to 14 days after departure from Singapore. This is because the TraceTogether app data stored in your previous mobile device also needs to be retained for that duration, as set out in the ATP Condition 1(e)(ii).
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 renains activated throughout your stay in Singapore.
30. What happens if visitors do not have mobile devices 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 devices are compatible with the TraceTogether app. The TraceTogether App can be downloaded from the iOS Play Store and Google Play Store.
Visitors, with mobile devices that are unable to download the TraceTogether app, can rent a compatible mobile device from the Changi Recommends website here prior to departing for Singapore. They must have an electronic or physical copy of the booking confirmation from Changi Recommends to present to the airline staff during check-in at the departure airport. Visitors who are unable to present a booking confirmation may be refused boarding by the airline.
Visitors can pay for and collect their rental mobile device at the Changi Recommends booth in Changi Airport prior to clearing arrival immigration. Upon collection, they must download the TraceTogether app and immediately register their profile on the app with their Singapore mobile number and the same passport number submitted for their ATP application. At immigration clearance, visitors are to present their mobile device with the TraceTogether app already downloaded and registered. Those who are unable to do so may be denied entry into Singapore by ICA.
Visitors, who have rented a mobile device from Changi Recommends, must carry it with them at all times during their stay in Singapore until it is returned to Changi Recommends. 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 and for 14 consecutive days after departing Singapore.
Children aged 12 or younger in that calendar year and travelling with parent/guardian are exempted from this requirement. Visitors with a certified disability or special need are also exempted.
31. 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 book a Singapore SIM card from the Changi Recommends website here prior to departing for Singapore. They must have an electronic or physical copy of the booking confirmation from Changi Recommends to present to the airline staff during check-in at the departure airport. Visitors who are unable to present a booking confirmation may be refused boarding by the airline.
Visitors can pay for and collect their Singapore SIM card at the Changi Recommends booth in Changi Airport prior to clearing arrival immigration. Upon collection, visitors are to activate their Singapore SIM card and immediately register their profile on the TraceTogether app with their Singapore mobile number and the same passport number submitted for their ATP application. At immigration clearance, visitors are to present their mobile device with the TraceTogether app already downloaded and registered. Those who are unable to do so may be denied entry into Singapore by ICA.
Children aged 12 or younger in that calendar year and travelling with parent/guardian are exempted from the TraceTogether app requirement. Visitors with a certified disability or special need are also exempted.
32. Can visitors switch off their mobile devices while in Singapore?
No, visitors must keep their mobile devices and the Bluetooth function switched on at all times while in Singapore.
33. Can visitors uninstall the TraceTogether app upon departing from Singapore?
Visitors must retain the TraceTogether app with the data on their mobile devices for 14 consecutive days after departing from Singapore. This is to facilitate contact tracing if visitors are tested positive for COVID-19.
Departing from Singapore
34. I need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test to meet the entry requirements of my next onward destination after my stay in Singapore. How can I take a pre-departure COVID-19 test in Singapore?
The pre-departure COVID-19 test may only be administered at the clinics listed here.
Please contact a listed clinic and make an appointment as early as possible. If you do not make a prior appointment, there is no guarantee that there will be a time slot for you; and you may not get your results in time for your departure flight.
You are required to bear the cost of your pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test. Please check with the listed clinics for the cost of the test. You are also responsible for:
- Ensuring the date and time of your test meet the entry requirements of your next onward destination; and
- Confirming with the clinic and testing centre that your test results can be obtained in time for your departure flight.
35. How can I make an appointment for my pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test in Singapore and how far in advance should I do so?
You are advised to contact the listed clinic of your choice as early as possible to make a test appointment.
You must also ensure that the booked date and time of your COVID-19 test meets the entry requirement of your next onward destination. If the test is taken at the clinic less than 38 hours before your departure flight, you may not receive your test results in time for your flight. Please let the clinic know as early as possible if you need to receive the test result memo by a certain date and time.
Please have the following when you are making an appointment with the clinic:
- Identity card (for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders only)
- Passport (for all travellers);
- Confirmed departure flight date and time;
- Your available time slots to take the pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test;
- Address in Singapore;
- Contact number; and
- Email address
36. What documents must I bring along for my appointment?
Please bring along the following documents for your appointment:
- Identity card (for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders only);
- Passport (for all travellers);
- Electronic or physical copy of ATP approval letter; and
- Electronic or physical copy of departure flight ticket
Please be present at the clinic at least 15 minutes before your appointment time.
37. When can I expect to get the results of my pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test taken in Singapore?
You will receive your COVID-19 test results and memo from the clinic at least 3 hours before your flight departure time, if the test was taken at the clinic no later than 38 hours before your departure flight. Please let the clinic know as early as possible if you need to receive the test result memo by a certain date and time.
The clinic will send the test result memo to your email address. Please ensure that you have an electronic or printed copy of your test result memo before heading to the airport for your departure flight.
Others
38. 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 intended week of entry into Singapore;
- a valid visa (for visa-required visitors); and
- a mobile device with the TraceTogether app already downloaded and activated. Children aged 12 or younger in that calendar year and travelling with family are exempted from this requirement. Visitors with a certified disability or special need are also exempted.
A visitor who does not have any of the above may be refused boarding by the airline.
For visitors who do not have mobile devices that can 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 30 and 31.
39. 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.
1 Short-term visitors refer to business or general travellers who are not Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents or Singapore Long-Term Pass Holders.
Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and Singapore Long-Term Pass Holders travelling to Singapore are not required to apply for an ATP. However, Long-Term Pass holders will continue to require prior approval from the relevant Singapore Government agencies before entering Singapore.