In view of the heightened risk of importation of COVID-19 cases into Singapore, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will implement additional precautionary measures for all Long-Term Pass (LTP) holders who are entering or returning to Singapore. These include holders of the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), the Student’s Pass (STP), as well as those who have been granted In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a LTP. These measures will come into effect from 29 March 2020, 2359 hours.

Entry Approval For Holders of LTVPs and STPs (issued by ICA) 

2.      All LTVP holders^[1], as well as those who have been granted IPA for LTVP, who are planning to enter or return to Singapore, must obtain ICA’s permission before they commence their journey to Singapore. They can do so by submitting their application for entry to ICA_nCoV_request@ica.gov.sg.

3.      All existing STP holders, and those who have been granted IPA for STP, who are planning to enter or return to Singapore must obtain MOE’s permission before they commence their journey to Singapore. MOE will take into consideration the course in which the student is enrolled, and prioritise entry approval for those studying in publicly-funded Institutes of Higher Learning. STP holders, and those who have been granted IPA for STP, should submit their application to their respective educational institution, which will then forward their application to MOE.

4.      If permission is granted, applicants will be issued an approval letter of entry by ICA for LTVP holders, or by MOE for STP holders, that is valid for two weeks. They must produce this approval letter of entry to airline staff upon check-in at the departure airport, and to the immigration officer at the checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore.

5.      Applicants should not make travel plans to Singapore until approval has been given by ICA/MOE. If they arrive in Singapore without the approval letter of entry from ICA/MOE, ICA will not allow them to clear immigration, and will require them to fly out of Singapore within 48 hours, at their own cost. If they fail to comply, ICA will cancel their pass or rescind their IPA.

Entry Approval for MOM’s Work Pass Holders

6.      Currently, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been requiring all new and existing Work Pass holders^[2] (including dependants^[3]) to obtain MOM’s approval before they commence their journey to Singapore. The entry approval requirement applies to:

        a.  Existing Work Pass holders currently out of Singapore; and
        b.  Those who have been granted IPA for a Work Pass, who have yet to enter Singapore.

7.      Employers are required to apply for entry approval using this online facility (https://form.gov.sg/#!/5e3cbabee41f590012014e91). Work Pass holders who arrive in Singapore without a valid entry approval will not be allowed to clear immigration, and will be asked to fly out of Singapore within 48 hours, at their own cost.

8.      Work Pass holders whose application for entry approval has been rejected should not enter or return to Singapore yet. They should apply again for the required approval. Those who do not comply and fly to Singapore nevertheless will have their Work Pass revoked and will be barred from future employment in Singapore.

Importance of Entry Approval

9.      The implementation of the entry approval measure for LTP holders who wish to enter or return to Singapore will help agencies to regulate the inflow of people into Singapore in order to mitigate the risk of importation of COVID-19 cases. MOM will restrict the number of entry approvals for Work Pass holders to very small numbers.

Stay-Home Notice and Other Declarations

10.      In line with prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements, all travellers who are granted entry approval will be placed on a 14-day SHN upon arrival in Singapore. In addition to the entry approval, travellers are also reminded to submit a health and travel declaration via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service^[4] prior to their arrival. They will be required to provide their health status and recent travel history, as well as personal particulars and contact details. Anyone who makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act. The penalty for providing false or misleading information is a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. For subsequent offence(s), the penalty is a fine up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.

11.      The Government will not hesitate to take strong action against those who make false declarations, as well as those who do not comply with the requirements of the SHN. Regular checks will be conducted through surprise house visits and phone calls, as well as leveraging web-based and mobile application surveillance solutions, to ensure compliance so that the well-being of our community is not put at risk.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
MINISTRY OF MANPOWER
28 MARCH 2020