The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) will expand its language support to 19 languages and introduce a passport scanning autofill feature starting August 26, 2026, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The digital arrival declaration, mandatory for most foreign visitors entering the country, aims to streamline pre-travel administrative hurdles through a refreshed mobile and web interface.
Expanded Language Options and Interface Upgrades
The electronic form will add seven new languages to its existing 12 options, bringing the total to 19, according to ICA announcements detailed by Channel NewsAsia. The newly integrated languages are Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Filipino (Tagalog), and Italian. These selections join the current offerings of English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bengali, German, French, Japanese, Korean, and Thai.
According to ICA statements reported by Channel NewsAsia, the expanded linguistic roster was chosen based on the most common languages spoken by international visitors traveling to Singapore. Alongside the translation updates, the landing page layout has been streamlined. Travelers can now select their objective and residency type simultaneously from the outset, removing the previous requirement to define travel objectives before prompts for residency classification appeared.
Passport Scanning Autofill Implementation
To accelerate submission times, the updated platform extends passport scanning capabilities to all users. Previously, only foreign nationals could use passport scan functions on the ICA website and MyICA mobile application, while Singapore residents relied primarily on Singpass information retrieval. Under the August 26 updates, Singapore residents can also scan their passports to autofill personal data.
The ICA stated that the combined upgrades are designed to make the online form faster, smoother, and more convenient to complete. Travelers can test the new interface and features early via the official ICA website ahead of the formal rollout.
Submission Rules and Official Channels
The SGAC functions as a mandatory pre-arrival electronic declaration rather than a visa. It must be submitted within the three-day window preceding a traveler’s arrival in Singapore, which includes the actual day of arrival.
Exemptions from the SGAC requirement apply to travelers transiting or transferring through Singapore without clearing immigration, as well as Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders who enter the country via the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints.
The ICA issued a strict reminder that submitting the arrival card through official channels—the ICA website and the MyICA mobile app—is entirely free of charge. Travelers have been advised to exercise caution regarding unauthorized third-party websites or commercial agencies that attempt to levy service fees for completing the complimentary government form.