Last updated end-October 2021

Need to travel to and from Singapore for university/other reasons?

You will be happy to know that fully vaccinated travellers can now enjoy quarantine-free travel. That’s from 15th November 2021 onwards. However, this only applies to people who are coming from the following countries:

Currently, you can book your tickets from Singapore on any Singapore Airlines flight. But you must travel to Singapore from the countries mentioned above only through a designated Vaccinated Travel Line (VTL) flight.

More details on travelling out of Singapore

Travellers are also allowed to visit multiple VTL countries within the same trip at a time. In case you are travelling to Singapore, you should carry your Covid-19 vaccination certificate with you. Also, you need to take two covid-19 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.

However, we have also come upon a list of VTL countries that you may want to remember that do NOT provide a test-free entry for those who are travelling from Singapore-

1. Italy: PCR or Antigen Rapid Test required pre-departure (at least 72 hours prior to the flight).
2. Brunei: Mandatory quarantine and testing
3. United Kingdom: PCR test must be done on the 2nd day after arrival.
4. South Korea: PCR test to be done pre-departure (at least 72 hours prior to the flight).
5. United States of America: PCR, antigen, NAAR, RT-LAMP, or TMA test to be done pre-departure (at least 72 hours prior to the flight).
6. Denmark: Self-isolation for ten days (break quarantine on Day 4 if PCR test = negative)
7. Other countries: Please visit SIA’s website.

You may also want to keep an eye out for the travel advisories of each country you visit. This is to make sure you have not missed out on anything important to experience a smooth journey.

Finally, ensure that all of your documents are verified and checked by relevant authorities. For example, if you are travelling from Singapore, you can digitally authenticate your documents and get them endorsed before your flight.

What if you’re entering Singapore instead?

If you are travelling from a VTL country to Singapore via a VTL flight, you will be able to enjoy a quarantine-free entry. However, this will be permitted only if you have not travelled to or visited any country outside Singapore and the enlisted VTL countries in the past 14 days. Non-VTL transit countries will also be considered part of your travel history, and your quarantine will become mandatory.

Applying for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) is required to board the VTL flights to Singapore. This holds true for both short-term and long-term visitors. It ensures safe and hassle-free air travel.

You must apply for the VTP online between 7 and 30 days prior to your arrival in Singapore (except for children below the age of 12). No charges are required for VTP, and permanent Singapore residents will only need a valid re-entry permit.

Vaccinations: You Must Know These Things!

People travelling to or from Singapore must be fully vaccinated against the covid-19 virus with any vaccine enlisted in the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use List. However, do bear in mind the following things:

1. You must be vaccinated with two shots of an approved vaccine or one shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
2. The final dose must be taken at least 14 days before arrival in Singapore.
3. If you go for a mixture of the approved vaccines, that too will be accepted.
4. Vaccination certificates (issued by the VTL country or Singapore; in English) must be produced at the time of arrival.
5. All vaccination certificates must contain a QR code for digital verification.
6. Children who are below the age of 12 will be an exception, but a fully vaccinated adult must accompany them.
7. Travellers who are residents of Singapore, the EU, or the United Kingdom, who covid-19 infected in the past, will be considered fully vaccinated if they received at least one dose of the vaccine. They must produce a recovery certificate issued by an EU or National Health Service (NHS) from Covid-19 or a discharge memo.

Are you aware of the acceptable certifications?

Well, these include-

– EU Countries: European Union Digital Covid Certificates (EUDCC) by the VTL countries.

– Singapore: Status to be checked on the HealthHub or TraceTogether app.

– Canada and the USA: Smart Health Card (SHC) issued by the CommonTrust Network (CTN) or the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI).

– United Kingdom: National Health Service (NHS) covid passes

– South Korea: Certificates issued by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and other authorized clinics and hospitals.

If you are a student travelling to study, then I’m sure the pandemic must have been the most hectic time for you. The covid-19 pandemic has taken a severe toll on our lives in every way possible, and it has brought everything to a standstill.

From studies to work and even the necessities of day-to-day life were hampered and in danger. Now with things slowly coming under control, you can get your life back on track with a little bit of planning and careful scheduling.