ICA is aware of a Whatsapp message that is circulating regarding a traveller’s experience through one of the land checkpoints. The message claimed that travellers entering or returning to Singapore are required to produce the following documents to ICA officers. The message also offered reasons behind the need for such documents:
i. A physical vaccination certificate, as ICA’s and MOH’s systems are not linked. Travellers should not assume that ICA would have access to travellers’ vaccination records;
ii. A physical recovery memo, if the traveller had contracted COVID-19; and
iii. A softcopy record of the SG Arrival Card, as ICA’s systems are not able to detect the travellers’ submission.
2. ICA would like to clarify the immigration clearance process for travellers via the land checkpoints.
Physical vaccination certificate
3. Returning residents (Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long-term Pass holders) who were vaccinated in Singapore are not required to produce a physical copy of their vaccination certificate. As long as these travellers have submitted their SG Arrival Card, their vaccination records will be validated backend with the MOH system.
4. Residents and foreign visitors who were vaccinated overseas, who have successfully uploaded their digital vaccination certificates during SG Arrival Card submission, are also not required to produce a physical copy of their vaccination certificate to our officers.
Physical recovery memo
5. Under the current Vaccinated Travel Framework, travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 do not have to provide a recovery memo when travelling via the land checkpoints.
SG Arrival Card
6. As SG Arrival Card submissions are automatically reflected in our immigration clearance system, travellers need not show proof of their submission to ICA officers.
Advisory to Travellers
7. ICA would like to remind travellers to prepare all necessary documents, such as valid travel documents and submitting SG Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival before arriving at the checkpoints. Travellers who are not vaccinated in Singapore are also required to upload their digital vaccination certificates during their SG Arrival Card submission. ICA would also like to advise travellers to refer to ICA’s official channels (websites and social media platforms) for updated information relating to travelling under the Vaccinated Travel Framework.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
5 APRIL 2022