If you are transiting through Singapore, you may wonder whether you need the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC). The answer depends on whether you pass through immigration. This guide explains SGAC requirements for all types of transit passengers in 2026.
Do Transit Passengers Need the Singapore Arrival Card?
It depends on your transit type:
- Airside transit (no immigration): No SGAC required – you stay in the international transit zone
- Landside transit (passes through immigration): SGAC required – you enter Singapore territory
- Overnight stopover with airport exit: SGAC required
Airside Transit at Changi – No SGAC Needed
If you have a connecting flight and remain entirely within Changi Airport’s international terminal (airside), you do not need the Singapore Arrival Card. You are technically not entering Singapore – you are in international transit space.
This covers the majority of layovers and transit passengers at Changi who do not exit the airport.
Landside Transit – SGAC Required
If you plan to exit Changi Airport during your transit – for example, to stay in a hotel in Singapore, visit the city, or use the Free Singapore Tour – you must submit the SGAC before arrival. In this case, you will pass through Singapore immigration, which requires the SGAC.
For landside transit, follow the standard SGAC process:
- Submit at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard up to 3 days before your arrival in Singapore
- Enter your Singapore hotel/accommodation address
- Receive instant confirmation
See: how to fill the Singapore Arrival Card.
Free Singapore Tour for Transit Passengers
Singapore’s ICA and tourism board offer free tours for qualifying transit passengers:
- Eligibility: Passengers with a transit stop of 5.5-24 hours at Changi
- Tours available: City, Heritage, Jewel, and more
- Cost: Free
- SGAC requirement: Required as you exit the airport and enter Singapore
- Registration: At designated counters in Changi terminals
Visa-Free Transit Program (VFTIP)
Singapore offers a Visa-Free Transit Program for certain nationalities transiting through Changi:
- Available for specific nationalities that normally require a Singapore visa
- Allows transit of up to 96 hours without a formal visa
- Applies when entering from and departing to a third country
- SGAC is required for landside transit under this program
Transit Through Singapore by Land
If you are transiting through Singapore via land (e.g., bus or train from Malaysia to a third destination), Singapore immigration applies. The SGAC is required if you pass through immigration. Check our airports guide for land border crossing details.
Cruise Ship Transit
Cruise ship passengers transiting through Singapore:
- If staying on board and not exiting: No SGAC required
- If going ashore (shore excursion): SGAC required – you pass through immigration
- Check with your cruise line for specific guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Singapore Arrival Card for a 3-hour layover at Changi?
If you remain in the international transit zone (airside) during your 3-hour layover, no SGAC is required. You do not pass through immigration. Only if you exit the airport does the SGAC become necessary.
Can I use the Changi Airport transit hotel without going through immigration?
Yes. Transit hotels located within the airside transit area (such as the Ambassador Transit Hotel) can be used without going through immigration. No SGAC is required for these facilities.
What if my layover is more than 24 hours at Changi?
For long layovers where you will exit the airport, you must submit the SGAC. The free Singapore tour offer applies for 5.5-24 hour layovers. For longer transit stays, follow standard Singapore entry requirements including SGAC submission. See Singapore entry requirements 2026.
