Singapore Entry Requirements for Filipino Citizens
Tourist Visa Needed
No
(for stays of up to 30 days)
In 2019, the Singapore government replaced the paper-based Disembarkation Card with the Singapore Electronic Arrival Card. The SGAC is a mandatory requirement for all foreign travellers entering the city-state, including those coming from the Philippines.
The purpose of the SGAC is to streamline the immigration process and make it easier for travellers to register online. Filipino travellers will no longer need to stand in long lines at border controls. Now, they can apply for the Arrival Card online before departure and show their passport to immigration officers who can check the electronically linked SGAC.
Do Filipino nationals need a visa to enter Singapore?
For short-term trips for leisure or tourism, nationals from the Philippines can enter Singapore without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. For other travel purposes like employment or academic purposes, Filipino citizens may need to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate of Singapore.
Each type of visa will have different requirements and mandatory documentation. Furthermore, some visas may take longer to process, so travellers from the Philippines should apply ahead of time.
Whether they travel to Singapore visa-free or with a work or study visa Filipino nationals still need to apply for the SG Arrival Card. This travel document does not replace a visa and cannot be used as one.
Arrival Card for Filipino citizens travelling to Singapore
Filipino citizens must obtain their Arrival Card before travelling to Singapore. They can do so by applying online in just a few minutes. The application process can be done from the comfort of travellers’ homes in the Philippines or from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection.
All the necessary documentation can be uploaded along with the online questionnaire, and there is no need to go in person to an embassy or consulate.
Singapore Arrival Card Validity
The Arrival Card does not have a defined validity. Filipino travellers can either stay for the period defined by the visa waiver agreement (30 days for visitors from the Philippines) or for the period of their visa if they have one.
However, it is important to remember that the SGAC is valid for a single entry into Singapore. Travellers from the Philippines who wish to re-enter the state will need to obtain a new Arrival Card each time they travel. Furthermore, visitors must enter Singapore in the three days following the approval of their Arrival Card, or this will expire.
Filipino citizens can use the SGAC to enter Singapore for tourism, leisure, medical treatment, business, or study (together with the visa, when required). Entry is permitted via air, land, or sea.
What do travellers from the Philippines need for the Singapore Arrival Card?
The Singapore Arrival Card has three basic entry requirements. To apply for an SGAC from the Philippines, travellers will need:
- A Philippine passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of travel
- An email address
- A credit or debit card to pay the processing fee
Dual nationals need to apply for the SG Arrival Card using the same passport they will use to travel. Once approved, the Arrival Card will be electronically linked to the passport.
Singapore Arrival Card application from the Philippines
To request the Singapore Arrival Card from the Philippines, travellers must fill out the online application form and pay the processing fee. The process is very simple and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. In the application form, travellers can expect to be asked the following information:
- Personal details such as full name, nationality, date and place of birth
- Passport data, including number, issuing country, date of issuance and expiry
- Contact details such as a home address, phone number, and email address>
- Travel plans, including travel dates and accommodation details
- Health declaration
Before sending their application for review, Filipino citizens must ensure all the information is accurate and that there are no spelling mistakes. The processing of the SGAC can take longer if any mistakes are detected.
Usually, applications are processed within 48 hours. However, in some cases, the process can take up to 5 days. The right time to apply for the Arrival Card is 5 days before departure, which will give enough time for processing while allowing travellers to enter Singapore within 3 days from the date of approval.
All communications regarding the status of the Arrival Card will be sent at the email address provided in the application form. Travellers should check their email, including the spam folder, to know whether their application was approved.
Other requirements for Filipino citizens
Filipino citizens must be aware of additional entry requirements for Singapore, such as:
- Showing proof of onward travel or having a return ticket
- Showing proof of sufficient funds for their trip to Singapore
- Possible additional health requirements, such as vaccination certificates
Finally, all travellers must be aware of the latest COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements, which can vary depending on factors like the nationality of the travellers, their vaccination status, or whether they visited specific countries before their trip to Singapore. These requirements can change quite often, so Filipino travellers should stay up to date with the latest news.