Frequently Asked Questions- Connect@SG
Important Notice
The Connect@Singapore initiative is currently suspended until further notice. Travellers who have obtained prior approval to enter Singapore under Connect@Singapore will have their approval letters rescinded and not be allowed to enter Singapore. Affected travellers will be notified via email.
General Queries
1. What is the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The Connect@Singapore initiative allows a limited number of business, official and high economic value travellers to enter Singapore via air travel, for short-term stays of up to 14 days. Travellers from all countries are eligible to apply to the scheme, subject to prevailing national travel policies. For the entire duration of their stay, travellers will be housed in Appointed Facilities, undergo regular testing, and strictly observe all prevailing Safe Management Measures (SMMs). Travellers will be able to conduct meetings with local visitors and with other traveller groups (with SMMs in place) while in the facilities.
2. What is a SafeTravel Pass under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The SafeTravel Pass issued under the Connect@Singapore initiative is a non-transferrable single-entry approval document that allows a traveller to make short-term business, official, or high-economic value visits to Singapore within a stipulated week (0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday), and to remain in Singapore for up to 14 days.
SafeTravel Passes are approved on a limited basis to mitigate the risk of imported COVID-19 cases.
3. Am I eligible to apply for the Connect@Singapore initiative?
Potential travellers are eligible to apply for the Connect@Singapore initiative for travel to Singapore if they are:
- Travelling for business or official purposes, or of high economic value to Singapore; and
- Seeking to make a short-term visit to Singapore of up to 14 days.
The Connect@Singapore initiative is open for application to travellers from all countries, subject to prevailing national travel policies. The complete list of pre-departure requirements prior to Connect@Singapore travellers’ entry into Singapore can be found here.
4. Are Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, eligible for the Connect@Singapore initiative?
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for the Connect@Singapore initiative. However, should they wish to return to the community, they will be required to serve a 21-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities, regardless of the duration of stay at Connect@Singapore Appointed Facilities. An individual’s time spent in the Appointed Facility is not considered as part of the SHN period, as they may interact with other high-risk travellers during their stay.
5. How long can I stay in Singapore under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The Connect@Singapore initiative allows travellers to seek short-term stays in Singapore of up to 14 days. For the entire duration of their stay, to mitigate the risk of imported COVID-19 cases, travellers will be housed in Appointed Facilities, undergo regular testing, and strictly observe all prevailing Safe Management Measures (SMMs). Travellers will be able to conduct meetings with local visitors and with other traveller groups (with SMMs in place) while in the facilities.
6. Can travellers under the Connect@Singapore initiative extend their stay in Singapore?
Travellers who are not Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are not allowed to extend their stay in Singapore beyond the 14-day maximum stay under the Connect@Singapore initiative.
Application Process
7. How do I apply for a SafeTravel Pass under the Connect@Singapore initiative for travel to Singapore?
Travellers must submit applications through an Appointed Facility (the latest list of Appointed Facilities can be found here). The Appointed Facility (AF) will then apply for a SafeTravel Pass for the traveller on their behalf. A SafeTravel Pass approval letter will be issued to the AF and travellers upon approval of the application.
8. What are the Appointed Facilities approved under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
Appointed Facilities are responsible for applying for a SafeTravel Pass for Connect@Singapore travellers. Connect@Singapore travellers will also be housed in Appointed Facilities (AFs) during the entire duration of their stay. The list of AFs can be found here.
9. Do I need a visa for travel to Singapore under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The SafeTravel Pass application does not supplant the requirement to apply for a visa for entry to and stay in Singapore. Eligible travellers who require a visa for travel to Singapore must separately obtain a valid visa before departing for Singapore. Individuals can check if they require a visa to enter Singapore here.
10. What is the application window for the SafeTravel Pass application under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The application for the SafeTravel Pass is open for a period of two to five weeks before the stipulated week (0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday) of the traveller’s planned departure to Singapore.
| Application submitted | Earliest date of entry into Singapore |
|---|---|
| 0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday of Week 1 | 0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday of Week 3 |
| 0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday of Week 2 | 0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday of Week 4 |
Note: The stipulated week runs from 0000 hours Monday to 2359 hours Sunday.
Applicants should take into consideration the time involved for application and visa processing (if required), as well as the mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test before departure for Singapore.
11. How will I be notified on the outcome of my SafeTravel Pass application under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the SafeTravel Pass application via the email provided in the application.
12. Some information in my SafeTravel Pass application is incorrect. How can I amend the details of my SafeTravel Pass application or approved SafeTravel Pass?
Both the SafeTravel Pass application and approved SafeTravel Pass cannot be amended. Please ensure that all details in the application are accurate at the point of submission.
13. Can I travel with a group under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
Connect@Singapore travellers may conduct business in a ‘travel cohort’ of up to two individuals with similar travel history and entry requirements into Singapore. The travel cohort must be declared to the Safe Travel Office at the point of application. The travel cohort may comprise members outside of your family, such as colleagues, business partners, suppliers or customers, even if arriving from different flights and/or countries. The group composition of the travel cohort must be kept constant throughout the entire duration of stay.
14. I recently tested positive for COVID-19 but am scheduled to travel to Singapore. Can I still visit Singapore?
You should schedule your travel into Singapore at least 21 days after your date of COVID-19 diagnosis, based on your first positive PCR test. For example, if the date of your swab which yielded your first positive PCR test is on 1 Jan (Day 1), you should only depart for Singapore on 22 Jan (Day 22) and onwards. You should not travel if feeling unwell.
Travellers with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the past 21 days will be denied boarding on flights bound for Singapore.
Health Measures in Singapore
15. What pre-departure requirements must I comply with prior to entry to Singapore?
The complete list of pre-departure requirements prior to Connect@Singapore travellers’ entry into Singapore can be found here.
16. What health measures will I be subjected to upon arrival in Singapore?
Travellers must take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Singapore, and are required to remain isolated in their room in the Appointed Facility (AF) until the test yields a negative result. Subject to further assessment, travellers with a history of infection from COVID-19 may be required to undergo serology tests on arrival to Singapore to confirm their recovered status. Travellers must also take PCR tests on days 3, 7, and 14 of their stay in Singapore insofar as the traveller remains accommodated in the AF. Travellers are required to adhere to all prevailing national Safe Management Measures (SMMs) in the AF, including the use of TraceTogether and SafeEntry.
Travellers may also be required to undergo additional testing requirements as subjected by their AF. Travellers should refer to the relevant details in the SafeTravel Pass approval letter, which will be issued with the SafeTravel Pass approval letter, for full details on the health measures that they must observe upon arrival in Singapore.
17. Can I arrange for my own transportation or use public transportation for my journey between the airport and the Appointed Facility?
No, travellers will be transported between the airport and the Appointed Facility (AF) by a dedicated transport provider arranged by the AF.
18. Can I leave my room while waiting for the results of my on-arrival PCR test?
No, travellers are required to remain isolated in their room in the Appointed Facility (AF) until their on-arrival PCR test yields a negative result. After receiving a negative on-arrival PCR test result, travellers may proceed with their itinerary within the AF.
19. What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 in Singapore?
Travellers who test positive for COVID-19 in Singapore will be given medical treatment accordingly. The cost of the relevant medical treatments will be borne in full by the travellers.
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may access Government subsidies and MediShield Life/Integrated Shield Plan to help pay for their bills. Long-Term Visit Pass holders may tap on their usual financing arrangements, such as private insurance, where applicable.
Activities in the Appointed Facilities
20. What are Connect@Singapore travellers allowed to do while in Singapore?
The Connect@Singapore initiative is for business, official and high-economic value travellers and their associated persons. For instance, travellers will be able to conduct meetings with local visitors and other traveller groups within the Appointed Facility (AF). Travellers will not mingle with the local community, and will be required to stay within the AF with robust Safe Management Measures (SMMs) in place.
21. Can I mingle with other travellers under the Connect@Singapore initiative?
Connect@Singapore travellers may conduct business in a ‘travel cohort’ of up to two individuals with similar travel history and entry requirements into Singapore. The travel cohort must be pre-approved by the Safe Travel Office, and pre-declared to the Appointed Facility (AF). The travel cohort may comprise members outside of your family, such as colleagues, business partners, suppliers or customers, even if arriving from different flights and/or countries. The group composition of the travel cohort must be kept constant throughout the entire duration of stay.
All prevailing national Safe Management Measures (SMMs) will apply to travellers in the AF.
22. Can members of the Singapore community visit the Appointed Facilities?
Members of the Singapore community are allowed to visit the Appointed Facilities to conduct meetings with travellers. There will be floor-to-ceiling dividers separating travellers from local visitors, and both locals and travellers will have to abide by the prevailing national Safe Management Measures (SMMs).
23. Can I leave the Appointed Facility during my stay?
Travellers are not allowed to leave the Appointed Facility throughout the duration of their stay.
24. Can I use the Appointed Facility to serve my Stay-Home Notice (SHN) as a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident?
No. Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who wish to exit the Appointed Facility (AF) and remain in Singapore will need to serve a further 21-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities, regardless of the duration of time spent at the Connect@Singapore AF. An individual’s time spent in the AF is not considered SHN, as they may interact with other high-risk travellers during their stay.
Departure from Singapore
25. I need a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR and/or serology test prior to leaving Singapore. Where can I take it?
Please make the necessary arrangements with your Appointed Facility.