Understanding the Perfect Timing for Your SGAC Submission
Submit Your SGAC Now →One of the most common questions travelers have about the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is: when exactly should I submit it? The answer is straightforward but crucial to understand.
You are required to submit your SGAC within three (3) days before your arrival in Singapore, including the day of arrival itself. This means if you're arriving on June 30, you can submit your declaration anytime starting from June 28.
This three-day window is designed to ensure that your health declaration and travel information are current and accurate when you reach Singapore's immigration checkpoints.
Arrival Date: October 15, 2025
Submission Window:
Recommendation: Submit on October 13 or 14 to avoid last-minute issues.
Arrival Date: December 20, 2025
Submission Window:
Note: Same rules apply for land and sea entries.
The 3-day window ensures your health declaration reflects your most recent travel history and health status, crucial for public health monitoring.
Submitting outside the window may result in your declaration not being recognized, causing delays at immigration checkpoints.
Immigration officers verify SGAC submissions in real-time. Timely submission ensures your information is properly processed and available.
Your SGAC is valid only for the specific trip declared. Multiple visits require separate submissions within each 3-day window.
If your plans change, you can update your submission or submit a new one before arrival.
SGAC submissions are processed immediately, taking only 5-10 minutes to complete and submit through the official channels.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your SGAC is submitted at the right time:
| Do ✅ | Don't ❌ | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Submit 2-3 days before arrival | Wait until you're at the airport | Gives you time to fix errors and avoid stress |
| Double-check your arrival date | Guess your arrival time | Wrong dates may invalidate your submission |
| Keep confirmation details handy | Delete confirmation immediately | You may need to reference your submission |
| Submit separately for each trip | Reuse old SGAC for new trips | Each SGAC is valid for one entry only |
| Use official ICA channels | Use third-party paid services | Official submission is free and more reliable |
| Submit new SGAC if plans change drastically | Assume old submission still works | Ensures accurate information for immigration |
Submit your SGAC 2-3 days before arrival for a stress-free experience
Complete Your SGAC NowPrepare Your Documents
Gather your passport, flight details, and accommodation information. Review the complete requirements checklist.
Submit Your SGAC
Complete and submit your SGAC via the MyICA app or official website. Takes only 5-10 minutes.
Verify and Save
Check your submission status and save your confirmation. Learn what happens after submitting.
Present Your Passport
Immigration officers will verify your SGAC electronically. No need to print anything – just bring your passport.
If you submit your SGAC more than three days before your arrival date, it will not be valid. The system enforces this restriction to ensure health and travel information remains current.
Solution: Wait until you're within the 3-day window, then submit your SGAC. You can prepare all information in advance and submit when the window opens.
Failing to submit before reaching immigration can result in:
Best Practice: Always aim to submit your SGAC at least 1-2 days before your departure to Singapore, giving yourself a buffer for any unexpected issues.
If your arrival date changes after submitting your SGAC:
Learn more about correcting mistakes on your SGAC.
Yes! The 3-day window is calculated by calendar days, not hours. If you're arriving on December 25, you can submit anytime on December 22, regardless of the time of day.
However, it's recommended to submit earlier in the day to avoid any potential technical issues or connectivity problems.
Minor flight delays typically don't affect your SGAC validity. As long as you arrive within a reasonable timeframe of your declared arrival date, your submission should remain valid.
If the delay pushes your arrival beyond the original date significantly, consider submitting a new SGAC with updated information to be safe.
The optimal time is 2 days before your arrival. This gives you:
It depends on whether you're clearing immigration. If you're staying airside (not leaving the airport), you typically don't need an SGAC.
If you're leaving the airport during your layover, you must submit an SGAC. Check our guide on SGAC for transit passengers for detailed information.
Yes, you can submit individual SGACs at different times, but it's more convenient to use the group submission feature to submit for up to 10 people traveling together at once.
All submissions must still be within the 3-day window for the shared arrival date. Learn more about submitting for families and groups.
The system uses Singapore Standard Time (SST), which is GMT+8. Make sure to account for time zone differences when calculating your submission window, especially if you're submitting from a different time zone.
If this is your first time submitting an SGAC, give yourself extra time:
Even if you've submitted before, remember:
Don't leave it to the last minute! Submit your SGAC today and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free entry into Singapore. The process takes less than 10 minutes, and submitting early gives you peace of mind.
Submit Your SGAC Within the 3-Day WindowFree official submission. Complete it 2-3 days before your arrival for best results.
