By 2021, electronic arrival cards will completely replace physical ones for foreign visitors entering Singapore.

This is part of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) efforts to enhance the immigration clearance process for foreign visitors.

Several Malaysian news reports recently stated that physical arrival cards will no longer be available for foreign visitors in 2020.

The information was also circulated on social media.

According to ICA, the electronic arrival card will completely replace the paper-based card by 2021.

However, no specific year has been given for the complete phasing out of these arrival cards, so it might be either in 2020 or 2021.

Trial rolled out in 2018, extended in 2019

Since Oct. 2018, ICA has been conducting a trial for foreign visitors to submit an electronic arrival card at the checkpoint.

This is for visitors who did not complete the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card on arrival.

According to a media statement in Aug. 2019, ICA has extended the trial with the launch of the SG Arrival Card e-service on their website.

Since August, foreign visitors travelling via selected transport operators can submit an electronic arrival card up to two weeks before their arrival in Singapore.

These include:

• Airlines – AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines
• Coach – Transtar Travel
• Ferries – BatamFast Ferries, Bintan Resort Ferries, Horizon Fast Ferry, and Majestic Fast Ferry

These visitors will only need to produce their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival.

How does this SG Arrival Card e-service work?

The SG Arrival Card e-service is available on the ICA website, and can also be downloaded as a free mobile app.

Through the app, foreign visitors can scan their passport biodata pages instead of keying in information manually.

The app will also save previously submitted information for use on subsequent trips to Singapore.

Top photo via Unsplash & ICA

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