Singapore Arrival Card 2026: SGAC Update Guide

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is rolling out a refreshed Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) from 26 August 2026 , four days from the date this article was written. If you are an Employment Pass holder, a Permanent Resident, or a long-term pass holder who regularly travels in and out of Singapore, the update is worth understanding before your next trip. The Singapore Arrival Card 2026 changes are primarily cosmetic and functional, not regulatory , but the new passport-scan autofill feature in particular will change how most professionals complete the form on the run.

This guide covers what is changing, who must still submit the SGAC, who is exempt, and the practical implications for foreign professionals on work passes in Singapore.

What Is the Singapore Arrival Card?

The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is a free, mandatory digital declaration that most travellers must submit to ICA before entering Singapore. It replaced the old paper embarkation/disembarkation (ED) card in 2020 and has since been integrated into both the ICA website and the MyICA Mobile app.

Per ICA’s official SGAC guidance, submission must be made within three days before arrival in Singapore (including the day you land). There is no charge. Travellers who fail to submit face delays at the immigration checkpoint.

The SGAC includes a health declaration component, which was introduced during the COVID-19 period and retained as a standard part of the form thereafter.

Who must submit the SGAC in 2026?

The SGAC is required for:

Foreign nationals entering Singapore by air or sea who do not hold a long-term Singapore pass
Singapore Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders (including Employment Pass, S Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Student’s Pass, and LTVP holders) entering by air or sea

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents entering Singapore via land checkpoints (Woodlands, Tuas) are exempt from the SGAC requirement.

For most Employment Pass and S Pass holders , who typically fly in and out of Changi , the SGAC applies on every re-entry to Singapore.

What Is Changing from 26 August 2026?

ICA announced the refreshed SGAC on 20 August 2026. Three changes take effect when the updated form goes live:

1. Passport Scan Autofill

This is the most practical change for frequent travellers. Under the new version, travellers can scan their passport using their phone camera (via the MyICA Mobile app or the ICA website) to autofill key personal details , full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. This eliminates the most error-prone part of the SGAC submission for travellers filling it in on short notice.

The autofill is optional. Travellers who prefer to key in data manually can still do so.

2. Expanded Language Options: 12 to 19 Languages

The previous SGAC was available in 12 languages. From 26 August 2026, the form is available in 19 languages, with seven additions: Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Filipino, and Italian.

This expansion is particularly relevant for foreign domestic workers, construction workers, and new arrivals from non-English-speaking countries who may have found the current English-first interface difficult to navigate.

3. Refreshed Interface and Navigation

ICA describes this as a “revised interface to make the submission process easier to navigate.” The visual design is updated and the field sequencing has been simplified. The underlying submission requirements have not changed , the same information is collected, just in a cleaner flow.

Do You Need to Re-Submit if You Already Filed?

No. ICA confirmed that only one SGAC submission is required. If you already submitted your SGAC using the current version before 26 August 2026, you do not need to re-submit under the new interface. The submission is valid regardless of which version of the form was used.

Practical Implications for Employment Pass and S Pass Holders

If you hold an Employment Pass or S Pass and travel frequently, the passport autofill feature is a genuine time-saver. The single biggest source of SGAC delays at checkpoints is data-entry errors , a mistyped passport number or an incorrect date of birth that does not match your travel document. The autofill function addresses this directly.

For employers with mobile workforces , regional directors, sales professionals, and consultants who cross the causeway or fly regionally several times a month , this is worth communicating to employees before their next trip. The MyICA Mobile app is the faster route for most travellers; it supports passport scanning natively after the 26 August update.

SGAC and Re-Entry After a Cancelled Pass

One scenario that catches employers and employees off-guard: if a work pass is cancelled and the pass holder leaves Singapore, re-entry as a visitor still requires an SGAC submission (and separately, a valid short-term visit pass or approval to re-enter). The SGAC itself does not grant entry rights , it is a declaration only. ICA’s checkpoints officers make the final immigration decision.

If you are managing a pass cancellation, refer to the work pass cancellation process and consult your HR team or a licensed employment agency before the pass holder departs Singapore.

Implications for Families on Dependant’s Passes and LTVPs

Families relocating to Singapore under Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass arrangements must also submit the SGAC on each re-entry by air or sea. For families with children on Student’s Passes who fly home for school holidays, this is a recurring administrative step. The new language options , particularly Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and Filipino , should reduce submission errors for household members whose first language is not English.

For families in the early stages of planning their relocation, the complete Singapore family relocation guide covers the full sequence from work pass application to school enrolment.

The SGAC Is Free , Beware Third-Party Sites

ICA has emphasised repeatedly that submission of the SGAC is free of charge through the ICA website and the MyICA Mobile app. A number of third-party commercial websites charge fees to “submit” the SGAC on a traveller’s behalf. There is no benefit to using such services , the SGAC does not require a licensed agent, the information required is basic personal and travel data, and the official ICA form is the only channel that ICA recognises.

The SGAC 2026 rollout is one of several ICA SGAC submission changes worth flagging to your team, and the SG Arrival Card update is particularly relevant for Singapore arrival card pass holders who travel on short notice.

For any Singapore immigration matter , from short-term visit pass applications to Employment Pass and PR submissions , working with a MOM-licensed employment agency ensures you are receiving advice from a regulated firm with formal MOM authorisation (Licence 19C9790).

Where to Submit the Updated SGAC from 26 August 2026

ICA website: ica.gov.sg
MyICA Mobile app: Available on iOS and Android. From 26 August, passport scan autofill will be accessible here.

The new interface will be rolled out on the ICA website first, with the MyICA Mobile app update following subsequently (ICA has not confirmed an exact date for the app update).

Summary

The 26 August 2026 SGAC update introduces passport scan autofill, 19 language options, and a refreshed navigation flow. The underlying submission requirements , who must file, when, and what information is needed , are unchanged. For Employment Pass and S Pass holders who travel frequently, the autofill feature is a practical improvement that reduces submission time and data-entry errors. The form remains free; only the ICA website and MyICA Mobile app are official channels.

If you are planning to relocate to Singapore, applying for an Employment Pass or S Pass, or considering a PR application, Little Big Employment Agency (Singapore Employment Agency) is a MOM-licensed employment agency (Licence 19C9790) authorised to advise and assist with the full range of work pass and permanent residency applications. You can read more about our services at Singapore Employment Agency and about incorporation and corporate services at Raffles Corporate Services.

, The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency