VTL Requirements and Tests to Enter Singapore - What You Need to Know

A Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) is a special arrangement set between two countries (VTL countries) that allows fully vaccinated travellers (short term visitors and long-term pass holders) to enter Singapore safely.

The Vaccinated Travel Lane (Air) [VTL (Air)] allows quarantine-free travel to Singapore via air. Travellers intending to utilise the Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) to travel from Malaysia to Singapore via the Causeway should apply for a VTP (Land) Pass.

(Latest announcements on various countries)

To date, there are 197 countries with approved vaccines. There are 33 vaccines available, but only 10 of them are approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Here's where things get a little complicated.

Each country has a different list of vaccines they approve. Therefore, just because you're fully vaccinated in your home country does not mean you're considered a fully vaccinated VTL traveller in another.

So before booking your designated VTL flights, be sure to check the prevailing entry requirements first!

Moderna: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Eswatini, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia Maldives, Mexico, Netherlands. Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vietnam.

Pfizer-BioNTech: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vietnam.

Sinovac, Sinopharm: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey

Travellers who received the completed regimen of WHO EUL Vaccines from a specific manufacturer and met the minimum dose interval period for at least two weeks will be considered fully vaccinated. They will thus allow on designated VTL flights before arriving in Singapore.

List of WHO EUL Vaccines

• Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2/COMIRNATY Tozinameran (INN)): 2 Doses
• Moderna (mRNA-1273): 2 Doses
• Astrazeneca (AZD1222-Vaxzeveria (ChAdOx1_nCoV-19)): 2 Doses
• Serum Institute of India (Covishield (ChAdOx1_nCoV-19)): 2 Doses
• Janssen (Ad26.COV2.S): 1 Dose
• Sinopharm (SARS-COV-2 Vaccine (VeroCell), Inactivated (InCoV)): 2 Doses
• Sinovac (COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated/Coronavac): 2 Doses
• Novavax (NVX-CoV2373/Covovax/Nuvaxovid): 2 Doses

If two doses are required, the final dose must be completed at least 14 days before arrival in Singapore.

Travellers entering Singapore who are eligible for VTL (Air), and has obtained their Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) if needed, should refer to this VTL (Air) traveller checklist for the full list of requirements to complete VTL (Air) travel.

Pre-departure PCR tests

All travellers entering Singapore must undergo a mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) taken within 2 days of the scheduled departure for Singapore, where they have to test negative.

Click here for a complete list of Singapore-approved COVID-19 test providers.

What to expect in your test?

A PCR test result will be available within 48 hours of your swab test, while an ART test result will be available in about 30 minutes.

You must digitally authenticate and endorse the PDT certificate before travel, and a QR code to access the endorsed certificate will be emailed to you within 15 minutes after submission. 

Ensure that your swab test result and PDT certificate is provided in English. If you have received your result and travel memos in other languages, you may have to obtain an official translation to the accepted language(s) of the country you are travelling to, which may cause delays.

Do note that the validity of swab test results varies from country to country, depending on their travel requirements.

On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test

The on-arrival PCR test will be conducted at a testing facility within the airport immediately after arrival in Singapore, once arrival immigration is cleared and baggage is collected. Travellers will be guided by airport staff to the testing site.

This on-arrival test must have been booked before entry into Singapore. VTL travellers who test positive may be denied entry into Singapore.

After arriving and taking the COVID-19 PCR test, VTL travellers are to immediately take private transport, taxi, or private hire car to their declared accommodation and self-isolate until they receive an SMS stating that they "test negative".

Undergoing Day 3 and Day 7 ARTs

Upon entry into Singapore, VTL travellers will be provided with a weblink to book their ARTs at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC) via the contact number and/or email address they had declared in the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) and/or electronic Health Declaration Card (eHDC).

They should schedule an appointment once they have received the Safe Travel Office (STO) instructions and take the ARTs at the QTC or CTC on the appropriate dates. They can only book an appointment for their second test (Day 7) after they have attended their first test (Day 3).

Where can I get more information on the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)?

For more information on VTL flights and Singapore's latest public health measures, please refer to this link.

What documentation do I need to board a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight?

For entry into Singapore, all travellers must carry a physical or electronic copy of the documents applicable to them and be prepared to present them to airline staff and immigration officers. The required documents are as follows.

For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents: Accepted Proof of Vaccination on the Trace Together or HealthHub app for contact tracing, Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test

For Short-Term Visitors: Accepted Proof of Vaccination/ Overseas Vaccination Certificate, Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test, Valid Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP)

For Long-Term Pass Holders: Accepted Proof of Vaccination, Negative test result for Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test, Valid Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP), COVID-19 Insurance Policy (with a minimum coverage of S$30,000), Valid Visa (for visa-required visitors)

How many COVID-19 tests are required for the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight to Singapore?

There are several tests required.

1. Pre-departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) taken within 2 days before the scheduled departure for Singapore.
2. On-arrival COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport (S$125)
3. Post-arrival supervised COVID-19 ARTs on Days 3 and 7 (S$15 each)
4. Post-arrival self-administered COVID-19 ARTs on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6

Are unvaccinated children allowed to travel under VTL?

Unvaccinated children aged 12 and below in this calendar year are allowed to enter Singapore on the VTL (Air) (e.g., a child turning 12 in the current calendar year is allowed) as long as they are accompanied by an adult who must be fully vaccinated.

SC/PRs must also comply with all the requirements stated in the VTL (Air) Traveller's Checklist when they enter Singapore, failing which the prevailing health control measures will apply, which may include serving a Stay Home Notice. 

For entry into other countries, travellers are advised to check with the appropriate country websites.

Are persons who are medically unfit to be vaccinated allowed to travel under the VTL?

Persons who are medically unfit to be vaccinated are not allowed to travel under the VTL. Unvaccinated short-term visitors will not be permitted 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 non-VTL flights, subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and COVID-19 test requirements after entering Singapore.

Can I travel to other countries after landing in the VTL country?

Fully vaccinated VTL travellers whose travel history declaration shows that they have been in that VTL country for 14 consecutive days before departure to another VTL country can travel to other countries as long as they meet the travel requirements stated by the country of destination.

What should I do if I am ineligible for the VTL but have booked myself onto a designated VTL flight?

Unvaccinated travellers and travellers who are not eligible for the VTL should approach the airline for assistance to rebook other flights.

Where can Singaporeans travel to without quarantine

• Australia
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Malaysia
• The Maldives
• The Netherlands
• Spain
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Turkey
• The United Kingdom (UK)
• The United States of America (USA)

Can I travel out of Singapore?

Yes. As long as travellers have valid vaccination certificates or acceptable proofs of vaccination and meet the travel requirements of the destination country, they are allowed to travel out of Singapore.

Where can I travel to from Singapore?

Scroll up to find a list of countries travellers can travel to from Singapore, or you can visit the Changi Airport website.

Do check the country's requirements for entry, such as travel history, whether it is compulsory to purchase travel insurance, the need for an electronic or physical copy of vaccination certificate etc.

Which country can Singaporeans travel to now?

For Singaporean travellers vaccinated more than 14 days before their intended departure date, they will be able to travel to more countries. Currently, Singaporeans can travel to 19 countries/territories.

Travellers should check with their airlines or the embassy/high commission of their destination country for the latest travel advisory before their flights. 

Travellers may also visit International Air Transport Association (IATA) for more information.

Can you travel out of Singapore?

Yes. Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, Short-term visitors and long-term pass holders can all travel out of Singapore as long as they have acceptable proof of vaccination and their vaccination records show they are not high-risk individuals. 

Their travel history must also indicate that they have been in a VTL country for the past 14 days.