SINGAPORE | Update on Entry Approval and Vaccination Requirements

September 1, 2022


From 28 August 2022 2359 hours, all non-fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to undergo a 7-day SHN and take a Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 test at the end of their SHN period. They are still required to take a Pre-Departure Test within 2 days before departure for Singapore and test negative before departing for Singapore.

Removal of entry approval requirements

From 28 August 2022 2359 hours, non-fully vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders and Short-Term Visitors aged 13 and above are no longer required to apply for entry approval to enter Singapore.

Long-Term Pass holders will continue to be required to meet all Vaccinated-Differentiated SMMs (VDS) requirements after their arrival in Singapore due to their longer length of stay. Short-Term Visitors are required to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance (at least SGD30,000 of medical coverage) to cover the duration of their stay in Singapore.

Documents pass holders must produce to prove vaccination status

Currently, pass holders must be able to produce documents to prove their vaccination status before boarding the flight, and upon arrival in Singapore. Otherwise, they will be denied entry. However, from 29 August 2022, pass holders no longer need to produce documents to prove their vaccination status before boarding the flight, and upon arrival in Singapore.

Update on Vaccination Requirements for Work Pass Holders

From 1 October 2022, the vaccination requirements to apply for or renew passes will be changed. Please refer to the table below on the new requirements.

Types of pass holders Must be 
  • Work Permit and S Pass holders employed in construction, marine shipyard or process sectors
  • Work Permit and S Pass holders staying in dormitories
  Fully vaccinated to:

  • Apply for new passes
  • Renew passes
All other pass holders Fully vaccinated to apply for new passes.

 

Pass holders who can be exempted from vaccination

From 29 August 2022, employers no longer need to submit exemption requests for pass holders who are not fully-vaccinated.

Pass holders can be exempted if they are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination. The pass holders also need to undergo a medical review with a Singapore-registered doctor upon arrival within 30 days, or upon completion of SHN (if applicable). If the Singapore-registered doctor does not exempt them, they must undergo the full vaccination regime within 2 months from the date of diagnosis. The vaccination status will then be reflected in their HealthHub app or TraceTogether app.

Newland Chase Insights

While the Singapore authorities have become lenient to short-term travelers who are not fully vaccinated by way of removing the entry approval requirements, long-term pass holders will be required to be fully vaccinated to apply and renew their passes in the country unless exempted from doing so. This move from the government will further attract tourists and business travelers to visit the country while ensuring the greater population remains fully vaccinated. Newland Chase will continue to monitor any further changes in the vaccination requirements.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.