Singapore Arrival Card enhanced with more language options, passport scan autofill
The enhanced SGAC will offer 19 language options, up from 12 currently, and an improved interface.
A view of the immigration checkpoint at Changi Airport Terminal 3. (File photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)
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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) will soon support seven new languages and feature a refreshed interface as part of enhancements to make the online form easier for travellers to complete.
It will offer 19 language options, up from the current 12, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Aug 19).
The new languages offered are Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Filipino and Italian, ICA said in response to CNA queries.
The current language options - English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bengali, German, French, Japanese, Korean and Thai - as well as the newly offered languages "were selected based on the common languages spoken by travellers visiting Singapore".
The upgrade to passport scan functions will allow Singapore residents to scan their passports to autofill data as an additional option on top of Singpass information retrieval, ICA added. Currently, only foreigners have the passport scan function on the ICA website and MyICA mobile app.
The enhanced SGAC will also feature a user-friendly design for "smoother, easier navigation".
ICA told CNA that the enhancements include streamlining of the landing page by allowing travellers to select their objective and residency type together from the outset. Currently, a traveller must decide their objective first before being prompted to select their residency type.
The upgrades will be available on both the MyICA mobile app and ICA website. Travellers can try the new features early on the ICA website from Aug 26.
ICA also reminded travellers that arrival card submission via its official channels is free.
The SGAC is an electronic arrival card for travellers entering Singapore, except those transferring through Singapore without immigration clearance and Singapore residents travelling through Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints.
