[Updated] Singapore Border Reopen: Travel Tourism Returns

Following an expansive vaccination campaign to combat COVID-19, Singapore has announced the return of travel tourism. In this guide, we provide a detailed look at Singapore's current travel restrictions with a focus on leisure travel. We'll let you know who is allowed to visit and what you have to do both pre-departure and on arrival. In the second half of the guide, we profile some fantastic sightseeing spots you won't want to miss if and when you do have a chance to visit. Singapore is a city known for its great food, futuristic architecture, and all-around family-friendly atmosphere. Come discover the Garden City at the crossroads of the world.

When SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in Wuhan, China late in 2019, few people anticipated the massive disruptions to everyday life the virus would cause around the world. Travel and tourism were particularly hard hit. The number of people taking vacations abroad plunged after governments rushed to close their international borders. By April 1, 2020, a majority of countries had either barred travelers from high-risk locations or closed themselves off entirely. Fortunately, the international travel picture today is much improved. Despite new burdens such as pre-departure testing and vaccination requirements, it is possible to travel to a fair number of international destinations. If you are fully vaccinated, Singapore is on that list.

A quick disclaimer. Authorities in Singapore have made clear they intend to reassess the country's travel policies on an ongoing basis. The information we provide here is for reference only. All travelers are advised to check the latest announcements published in official government channels prior to finalizing travel plan. While we make every effort to ensure we provide accurate and timely information, conditions may have changed since this guide was written. Always double-check the latest official information. Better to be safe than sorry.

Find the latest travel policy information on Trip.com

Singapore is open to fully vaccinated travelers from around the world. As long as you qualify as fully vaccinated, you can travel to Singapore without the need to undergo pre-departure testing or quarantine. This is a dramatic relaxation in Singapore's travel restrictions and reflects the country's successful efforts to create a safe travel environnement. Under the new Vaccinated Travel Framework, travelers only need to have accepted proof of vaccination to enter Singapore for non-essential travel including tourism. It is no longer necessary to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass or Air Travel Pass, or to worry about your recent travel history. While the new policy does include restrictions for locations considered high-risk, there are currently no such locations according to Singapore's health authorities.

Business travelers can likewise make use of the new Vaccinated Travel Framework to travel to Singapore. The previous policies that applied to travelers from Brunei Darussalam and some parts of Mainland China have been rescinded in favor of the new streamlined framework. Rather than multiple policies covering travelers from different regions and with different travel purposes, the new Vaccinated Travel Framework represents a unified approach that greatly simplifies travel to Singapore.

Singapore has replaced its previous Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) and Air Travel Pass (ATP) policies with a unified Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF). Under the new policy, all travelers who qualify as fully vaccinated are eligible to visit Singapore for any purpose. To be considered fully vaccinated, travelers must have verifiable proof they have completed a full vaccination regimen at least 14 days prior to their intended departure using a COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Children under 12 years of age are not required to be vaccinated.

To meet the vaccination requirements, all travelers who were issued a recognised Digitally Verifiable Vaccination Certificate (DVC) can use Singapore's Vaccination Check Portal (VCP) to verify their certificate is recognised by the Singapore authorities. Travelers will receive a vaccination acceptance letter if the verification is successful, which they can use when boarding transportation bound for Singapore and at immigration checks. Travelers who do not have a recognised DVC will need to prepare an alternative vaccination certificate, which can be either paper-based or app-based. Vaccination certificates must be written in English or must be accompanied by a notarised English translation that includes:

Travelers who were vaccinated overseas may also need to take additional COVID-19 vaccine doses to maintain good protection and to continue using the Vaccinated Travel Framework while in Singapore. This is determined based on the date of the last dose and the type of vaccine. Travelers who were vaccinated several months prior to their intended departure may want to check the Singapore Ministry of Health's website for more information on vaccine boosters.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers authorized to enter Singapore by air or sea must have proof of a negative result for COVID-19 issued no more than 2 days prior to departure using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed by an accredited medical services provider, or a Antigen Rapid Test (ART) administered by a trained professional. In certain circumstances, travelers may be able to substitute a self-administered ART; however, they must make arrangements to have their test remotely supervised by an approved ART provider in Singapore. Test results must be in the form of a non-handwritten report in English (or accompanied with a notarised English translation). The report must contain the following details:

Pre-departure COVID-19 tests are not required for travelers arriving at land border checkpoints. Travelers who have previously tested positive COVID-19 at least 7 days and no more than 90 days prior to their scheduled departure may also be exempt from the pre-departure testing requirements. Travelers who fall into that category should use the self-help checker to verify their status.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated short-term visitors authorized to enter Singapore must have proof of travel insurance valid for use in Singapore for the entire duration of their intended stay. The minimum coverage amount must be at least S$30,000 and must cover all costs associated with the testing and treatment of COVID-19.

All travelers must complete a SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with an electronic health declaration no more than 3 days prior to their intended arrival. Travelers will receive an email acknowledgement for use when boarding transportation bound for Singapore and during immigration clearance.

Singapore uses a mobile application called "TraceTogether'' for contact tracing and other health-related notifications. All travelers 7 years of age or older must install this app and use it to register their personal information prior to boarding flights bound for Singapore. Airline staff are instructed to verify a correctly set up app during airport check-in. Travelers unable to install TraceTogether on the mobile device will have the option to purchase a TraceTogether token upon arrival for a one-time fee of S$13.

Singapore is now open to fully vaccinated travelers from around the world. Vaccinated travelers must have the following documentation to visit Singapore:

After greatly simplifing entry requirements, visiting Singapore is now as easy as it's ever been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers looking for more detailed information regarding current policies and exemptions should be sure to consult Singapore's official SafeTravel website.

The Downtown Core is where you’ll find many of Singapore’s most iconic locations. Start with a wander through Maxwell Road Food Centre. Here you can taste (pun intended) Singapore’s fantastic food culture. Maxwell Road is one of the city’s popular street food areas and somewhere you will likely return more than once. After having a bite to eat, spend time wandering around Chinatown and see the Tang dynasty-era Buddhist temple. Also nearby is Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the oldest Hokkien temples in Singapore. From here you can enjoy some shopping in one of the area’s many malls. It’s an effective way to cool down when the tropical heat gets to be too much.

Across the Singapore River is a collection of great museums. Swing past the Asian Civilisations (sic) Museum or the National Gallery. The Padang is a grassy area with significant monuments and other national symbols. St. Andrew’s Cathedral sits just off the Padang and is Singapore’s largest cathedral. East of St. Andrew’s is Fort Canning Park, an old British colonial-era military barracks. From the Fort you can go and explore the National Museum of Singapore, which provides a vibrant and illuminating look at the city’s history. Food options in the area are not hard to come by so grab a snack if you need one and press on towards Marina Bay.

Marina Bay is a fabulous area with lush green parks, incredible bridges, and some of the city’s most impressive architectural achievements. Take a spin on the enormous Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel, quite lovely at sunset. Watch as the Gardens by the Bay come to life with their spellbinding light displays. The magical landscapes seem sprung from some distant dream world. Cross Helix Bridge towards the ArtScience Museum and be sure to snap plenty of photos along the way. You’ll quickly understand why the Marina Bay Sands hotel is the world’s most photographed locations. Visit the observation deck and infinity pool, which are simply breathtaking! Back down in the Gardens, find the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. These massive seashell-like structures contain mesmerizing displays flora that will dazzle you. Supertree Grove is also a hit after dark.

Take in the atmosphere and beauty at the Gardens before continuing back towards the Downtown Core. This will give you a chance to stop at The Promontory, a first-rate photo location where you will have great backdrops with the Marina Bay Sands. Enjoy a cocktail, coffee, or tea at one of the restaurants along the water. Don’t forget to visit the Merlion, one of the city’s most beloved symbols. With the city lights in the background, one could easily sit on the steps near the fountain for hours and just admire the surroundings.

Kampong Glam is a great place to start your next day. This trendy district is filled with colorful buildings and was once where Malay Royalty resided. Grab something to eat and then visit Masjid Sultan, one of Singapore’s landmark mosques. Just opposite is the Malay Heritage Centre. Here you can explore more Singaporean culture and taste some local specialties. Slightly northeast from Kampong Glam you will find lots of Indian-owned businesses and restaurants. The Indian Heritage Centre is worthwhile if you want to learn about the Indian diaspora communities in Singapore. After taking in your fill, hop on the Downtown Line MTR and head for the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens are one attraction you won’t want to miss. Regularly ranked one of the top gardens in Asia, they have the extremely rare privilege of being the only tropical gardens designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is plenty to see around the 160 acre park, including the stunning National Orchid Garden with over 60,000 species on display. From the park, head south to Tiong Bahru. This charming neighborhood has some excellent small markets and delicious local food on offer. It’s another prime attraction for foodies.

Sentosa is Singapore’s playground. It’s there you will find Universal Studios Singapore, Madame Tussauds wax museum, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Families will no doubt want to visit. Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach are great places to relax, catch some rays, or go for a swim. Many exclusive resort hotels are located on Sentosa, so it’s easy to spend a day here. You might consider checking out Resorts World Sentosa. The hotel has 11 lavish suite rooms located underwater and offering spectacular views into the hotel’s massive aquarium. Containing upwards of 40,000 sea creatures, guests in the underwater rooms will have no shortage of exciting and colorful creatures to admire. Each suite is built in a two-story configuration with the upper-level above the waterline. Guests can relax on a private outdoor patio or soak in the Jacuzzi. The underwater rooms are for the most part separate from the rest of the hotel, thus providing a degree of luxury and seclusion. Guests can request private transportation to the nearby S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark, where they can enjoy exploring even more amazing marine life.

Arriving in Singapore is an experience unto itself. Continually ranked as the world’s best, Changi Airport is a marvel. Visit the butterfly garden, the cactus garden, the kinetic rain sculpture, the HSBC Rain Vortex in the airport’s new Jewel addition...and so much more! Build some time in your itinerary maybe on the backend to explore here. With cutting-edge visual displays, gorgeous layouts, premiere shopping, and some architectural masterpieces, Changi is basically one big lounge onto itself. Make sure you snap some pictures of the light show at the Rain Vortex. It’s spectacular and attracts quite the crowd. Changi is designed with long concourses so make sure to note your gate location and plan accordingly. Spending time in Changi is a fitting way to end your visit to Singapore.

As one of the world’s most family-friendly destinations, Singapore offers something for everyone. Take your time and explore the city’s many facets. Great food, amazing architecture, wonderful nightlife, resorts, theme parks, and more...it’s all on offer in this great Southeast Asian city-state. Now that it’s possible to again travel for tourism and recreation, Singapore is a great destination to consider for an upcoming holiday vacation.