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Here are all the details you might need if you're planning a trip under VTL conditions, including the entry and departure requirements for long-term pass holders, rules for unvaccinated children, and more.
Quarantine-free air travel has now been made a possibility with Singapore's foray into creating Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs). Understandably, this much-awaited move has posed certain potential travellers with questions, such as whether they are eligible, what the departure and arrival requirements are, when they can start applying, and more.
As such, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Singapore's VTLs, thanks to Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
If you're planning to travel under the VTL scheme, here are the steps to keep in mind:
1. First things first: Check entry requirements of the VTL country you want to visit. For example, the VTL with Australia is only open to Singaporean citizens as a pilot. Check if you are eligible to enter the respective VTL country.
2. Check that VTL flights are still available for the time period in which you wish to enter Singapore. Please note that travellers are not required to take designated VTL flights to depart from Singapore. The VTL is meant for travellers who intend to seek entry into Singapore. For travellers flying from Singapore, it will depend on the inbound requirements of the destination country/region.
3a. If you are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, the next step is to download your vaccination certificate and keep it ready for re-entry.
3b. If you are a foreign visitor, who is either living in Singapore, or intends to visit Singapore, (i.e. either a short-term visitor or a long-term pass holder), then the next step is to apply for a vaccinated travel pass as well as check visa entry requirements into Singapore.
For clarification, the application process varies for Singaporeans/Permanent Residents (PR) and for Foreign Visitors (e.g. Short-Term Visitors / Long-Term Pass Holders). Besides the standard eligibility requirements, the following groups should note the following:
1. For Singaporean citizens (SCs) / Permanent residents (PRs)
All SC/PRs and unvaccinated children aged 12 and below in the current calendar year do not need to make any applications under the Vaccinated Travel Lane. However, you will need to present an acceptable proof of vaccination for verification at check-in and arrival immigration. You are strongly encouraged to self-verify your vaccination certificate prior to your trip by referring to the guide.
SC/PRs must comply with the requirements stated in the VTL Traveller’s Checklist, failing which, the prevailing health control measures will apply, which may include serving a Stay-Home Notice.
2. For Foreign Visitors (e.g. Short-Term Visitors / Long-Term Pass Holders)
Travellers departing from Finland, Malaysia and Sweden may only submit their applications from 22 Nov 2021.
Applicants are to note to following:
- VTL travellers must also refer to this travel checklist and the VTL conditions to ensure they satisfy all VTL requirements, otherwise they may be denied entry to Singapore.
- Accompanying children aged 12 and below and are unvaccinated do not need to apply.
- Applications must be submitted between 7 and 60 days before the intended date of entry into Singapore.
- Applications must be supported with digitally verifiable vaccination certificate QR code(s).
- A VTP is valid for 6 calendar days from the traveller’s chosen date of entry.
- If you encounter an error upon uploading the QR code on your vaccination certificate onto the VTP application portal, despite meeting the requirements (of Holding an Accepted Proof of Vaccination), please write to the Safe Travel Office using the enquiry form and provide vaccination certificate.
Q: Do Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents need to apply for a VTP?
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents do not need to apply for a VTP to travel to Singapore under the VTL, as they can return to Singapore without the need for entry approval, provided they adhere to the VTL requirements.
Q: Do visitors with a valid VTP need to apply separately for a visa to enter Singapore?
A: Visitors, who require a visa to enter Singapore, must separately obtain a visa and are advised to do so after receiving their VTP approval and before departing for Singapore.
However, if visitors have already been issued with visas that are still valid or if they are eligible for the visa-free transit facility, they do not need to apply for a visa.
Q: How long will it take for a VTP application to be processed?
A: All travellers who successfully submit their application will be issued with a VTP immediately.
Q: Is there a fee to apply for a VTP?
A: No, there is no fee payable for the application of a VTP.
Q: Do travellers travelling with family members need to apply a VTP for every individual?
A: Each traveller will require a VTP.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of times travellers can apply for a VTP?
A: There is no limit to the number of times travellers can apply for a VTP. Every entry into Singapore requires a new VTP application.
Q: How long is the validity of a VTP?
A: A VTP is valid for single entry into Singapore anytime from the traveller’s intended date of entry and up to six calendar days after. For example, travellers who hold a valid VTP to enter Singapore on 8 September 2021, have up to 14 September 2021 to do so should they need to make changes to their flight departure date.
Q: I have an In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a Long-Term Pass or a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). How should I apply for the VTP?
IPA holders and MOM LTVP holders should apply for the VTP as short-term visitors. They will need to comply with all the conditions of the VTP that apply to short-term visitors.
Q: Are unvaccinated children allowed to travel under the VTL?
A: Unvaccinated children aged 12 and below in the calendar year may enter Singapore on the VTL. Therefore, a child turning 12 in the current calendar year is allowed.
However, all such individuals must comply with all other VTL conditions and be accompanied by a fully vaccinated VTL traveller.
Unvaccinated travellers aged 13 and above are not allowed to travel under the VTL. However, unvaccinated individuals in the following categories:
1. Singapore Citizens
2. Permanent Residents, and
3. Long-Term Pass holders who have received entry approval via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, Student’s Pass Holder Lane, or SC/PR Familial Ties Lane
may still travel to Singapore on a non-designated flight, subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and COVID-19 test requirements upon entry into Singapore.
Q: Are persons who are medically unfit to be vaccinated allowed to travel under the VTL?
A: Persons who are medically unfit to be vaccinated are not allowed to travel under the VTL. Unvaccinated short-term visitors will not be allowed to travel to Singapore.
However, similarly, unvaccinated individuals in the following categories:
1. Singapore Citizens
2. Permanent Residents, and
3. Long-Term Pass holders who have received entry approval via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, Student’s Pass Holder Lane, or SC/PR Familial Ties Lane
may still travel to Singapore on a non-designated flight, subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and COVID-19 test requirements upon entry into Singapore.
Q: How long can visitors stay in Singapore?
A: Visitors who are granted entry into Singapore will be issued with a visit pass by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the immigration checkpoints. The duration of stay in Singapore will be generally aligned to that accorded to the passport holder prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be noted that the VTP is not an immigration visit pass. It only allows visitors to travel to and seek entry into Singapore within a specified period.
Q: I am only travelling to VTL countries/regions, but will transit via a non-VTL country/region in my departing flight from Singapore. Will I be eligible to return to Singapore on the VTL?
To be eligible to enter Singapore on the VTL, visitors must have only travelled to / transited via any VTL countries/regions and/or Singapore within the past 14 consecutive days before departure for Singapore.
If visitors transit via a non-VTL country/region is within the past 14 days, they will not be eligible for the VTL.
However, the following categories of individuals:
1. Singapore Citizens
2. Permanent Residents, and
3. Long-Term Pass holders who have received entry approval via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, Student’s Pass Holder Lane, or SC/PR Familial Ties Lane
may still travel to Singapore on a non-designated flight, subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and COVID-19 test requirements upon entry into Singapore.
Q: I intend to arrive in Singapore on a designated VTL flight, but will transit via a non-VTL country/region prior to that flight. Will I be eligible for the VTL?
To be eligible to enter Singapore on the VTL, visitors must have only travelled to / transited via any VTL countries/regions and/or Singapore within the past 14 consecutive days before departure for Singapore. In this scenario, visitors will not be eligible for the VTL.
However, the following categories of individuals:
1. Singapore Citizens
2. Permanent Residents, and
3. Long-Term Pass holders who have received entry approval via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, Student’s Pass Holder Lane, or SC/PR Familial Ties Lane
may still travel to Singapore on a non-designated flight, subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and COVID-19 test requirements upon entry into Singapore.
Image / 123RF
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