Quarantine Free Travel Under Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane Scheme

From September 8, 2021, Singapore has allowed fully vaccinated visitors to travel to and from Singapore without quarantine through its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, although passengers will still need to undertake several COVID-19 PCR tests. This marks the first step in the city-sate in rebuilding its reputation as an international aviation hub.

In a national address, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that a ‘zero-covid’ strategy was no longer feasible, despite 83 percent of the population being fully vaccinated. The PM painted a picture of a new normal within the next three to six months where the country will ease restrictions.

Before the VTL scheme, travelers had to undergo quarantine for between 14 and 21 days, depending on the severity of the pandemic from their country of departure.

Which countries qualify under the vaccinated travel lane?

Visitors from the following countries can enter Singapore without undergoing quarantine:

What are the pre-departure requirements under the vaccinated travel lane?

Vaccination certificates

There are several pre-departure requirements that visitors should adhere to before traveling to Singapore.

Firstly, all foreign travelers must be fully vaccinated by at least two weeks before arriving and this must be accompanied by a valid vaccination certificate, issued in any VTL country.  Children under the age of 12 can travel to Singapore if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated traveler.

The traveler will be asked for proof of vaccination during the application, departure checks, and immigration clearance.

Applying for a vaccinated travel pass

All short-term visitors and long-term pass holders must apply for a vaccinated travel pass at least between 7 and 30 calendar days before arrival in Singapore. The application is free of charge and applicants will receive their approval via email.

Travelers who are unsure if they require a visa to enter Singapore should look here for more details.

Booking a designated VTL flight

Travelers must arrive in Singapore on a designated VTL flight and must have only traveled to a VTL country in the last 14 days before departure for Singapore.

If the traveler transits in a non-VTL country, the traveler may be denied into Singapore whereas Singapore citizens and permanent residents will not be eligible for quarantine-free facilities.

COVID-19 insurance

All short-term visitors are required to obtain COVID-19 insurance with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 (US$22,280). Travelers can obtain their insurance either from Singapore or overseas-based insurers. The list of Singapore-based insurers can be found here.

Registration and pre-payment of COVID-19 PCR test

Travelers must register and pre-pay for a COVID-19 PCR test, which they will undertake upon arrival in Singapore. The results will take no longer than 24 hours.

Note that travelers must also take a PCR test before traveling.

Self-isolation accommodation

Although travelers under the VTL scheme are not required to undergo quarantine, they must, however, self-isolate in an accommodation to await their COVID-19 test result, which will be taken upon arrival in Singapore.

Travelers can self-isolate in any of the following locations:

• Place of residence; or
• Non-residential accommodation such as a hotel.

The government has provided a non-exhaustive list of non-residential accommodations, which can be found here.

Pre-departure PCR tests

All travelers must take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure to Singapore and this must be taken in an accredited testing facility. The test result must be negative.

Moreover, the test results must adhere to the following criteria:

• Is in English;
• Contains the traveler’s name, date of birth, or passport number; and
• Contain the name of the testing institution, and the date and time it was taken.

Each test costs S$160 (US$118)

Submission of health declaration

Travelers must submit their health, travel history, and accommodation declarations via the SG Arrival Card e-service, no later than three days prior to their arrival in Singapore. 

Downloading the contact tracing app

Short-term travelers must download the TraceTogether contact tracing mobile app. Only children aged six and under are exempt from this requirement.

Departure for Singapore

Travelers should ensure that they have completed the requirements in the following checklist.

1. Electronic or physical copy of the vaccinated travel pass;
2. Valid pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test showing a negative result;
3. Valid visa (if required);
4. The TraceTogether app downloaded on a mobile device; and
5. Proof of vaccination.

Arrival in Singapore

Upon arrival in Singapore, travelers will be screened for all the aforementioned documents before undertaking their on-arrival PCR test. Travelers who did not pay for the test before arrival will pay on the spot.

Once the test is completed, the traveler must commute directly to their self-isolation accommodation and wait for their PCR test results. The use of public transport is strictly prohibited. Travelers can only leave self-isolation after they have received a negative result.

Travelers are reminded to use the TraceTogether app whenever it is required during their time in Singapore.

Post-arrival covid tests

From December 6, 2021, travelers entering Singapore will have to undertake covid tests using self-administered rapid antigen tests (ART) using self-procured ART kits on Days 2, 4, 5, and 6 of their arrival. On days 3 and 7, the traveler will undergo a supervised ART.

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