PUBLISHED: 25/10/2020
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An Overview Of Singapore's Travel Green Lanes
Over the past few months, Singapore has progressively launched travel green lane and fast lane arrangements with neighboring countries to facilitate the resumption of essential business and official activities.
While leisure travel continues to remain off the charts for Singapore residents, there is hope that these essential green lanes will serve as the very first step towards the creation of reciprocal tourism green lanes.
In the meantime, here is a list of the countries that have existing green lane and fast lane arrangements with Singapore, and what you may expect if you choose to travel to these destinations. (Updated: 26 October 2020)
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Indonesia
On 12 October 2020, Singapore and Indonesia agreed to implement the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) to facilitate essential short-term business and official travel between both countries. Applications can be made from 26 October 2020.
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to Indonesia via the RGL must be sponsored by a company or government agency in Indonesia. Sponsors must apply for visa via https://visa-online.imigrasi.go.id/
Pre-departure to Indonesia, Singapore residents must:
- Obtain a Visa sponsored by an Indonesian company or government agency. Requirements include: a) health certificate, b) consent letter to undergo mandatory self-isolation or medical treatment if tested positive upon arrival in Indonesia, c) consent letter to be monitored during quarantine if traveller contracts COVID-19 in Indonesia, e) proof of funds by sponsor to support traveller’s living expenses in Indonesia
- Take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test at least once within 72 hours before departure from designated medical institutions.
- Submit pre-trip health and travel history declarations as well as the negative COVID-19 PCR swab test result and controlled itinerary via Indonesia’ e-HAC before departure.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, you will have to undergo a PCR test at the airport or ferry terminal in Indonesia. You must remain in isolation at self-sourced accommodation until the test results are released (typically within 8 hours).
Upon return in Singapore, you will be subjected to the prevailing Stay Home Notice (SHN) policy applicable to incoming travellers to Singapore from Indonesia, which includes 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities and a COVID-19 PCR swab test before the end of the SHN.
Japan
As of 11 September 2020, Singapore and Japan have agreed to implement a reciprocal green lane (RGL) to allow the resumption of cross-border movement for short-term business and official travel.
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to Japan via the RGL must be sponsored by either a company or a government agency in Japan, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant with the authorities.
Pre-departure to Japan, Singapore residents must:
- Apply for visa or re-entry confirmation letter at the Embassy of Japan in Singapore
- Receive “Cover Letter” from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore which will allow the applicant to take a PCR test in Singapore.
- 14-day stay in Singapore and 14-day health monitoring until departure from Singapore.
- Present “Cover Letter” and obtain a certificate of pre-entry testing result in Singapore within 72 hours before departure.
Upon arrival in Japan, you will be tested at the airport and asked to submit a “Questionnaire” on your health conditions, as well as your “Schedule of Activities” and pre-entry testing result. You will also be asked to install a COVID-19 tracing application.
Before returning to Singapore, pre-register for a PCR test at Changi Airport if you wish to be exempt from prevailing Stay Home Notices.
Upon return in Singapore, present your “Cover Letter” and undergo quarantine measures (remain in isolation for 1-2 days until you have been notified of your on-arrival test results)
Brunei
As of 1 September 2020, Singapore and Brunei have agreed on a reciprocal green lane (RGL) arrangement to resume cross-border movement for essential travelers.
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Photo by PriceBreaker’s Angel
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to Brunei via the RGL must be sponsored by either a company or a government agency in Brunei, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant with the authorities.
Pre-departure to Brunei, Singapore residents must produce:
- Approved Entry Travel Pass issued by the Brunei government
- A negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken 72 hours before departure at designated clinics
- A valid visa, if applicable
- Proof of installation of the BruHealth application
- A valid boarding pass
- Valid proof of payment for post-arrival COVID-19 PCR test
- Proof of hotel reservation in Brunei
Upon arrival in Brunei, you will be isolated at your declared hotel before you are transported to a designated center for your post-arrival PCR test.
If test results are negative, you will then be allowed to proceed with your controlled itinerary via private transportation.
You will also be required to self-report your health through the BruHealth application throughout your stay.
Upon return from Brunei, Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders will not be required to serve a Stay-Home Notice. However, you will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
South Korea
From 4 September 2020, Singapore and South Korea launched the Singapore-ROK Fast Lane for essential travel.
Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul.
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to South Korea via the Fast Lane must be sponsored by either a company or a government agency in South Korea, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant with the authorities.
Pre-departure to South Korea, Singapore residents must produce:
- An isolation exemption certificate issued by the ROK
- A negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken 72 hours before departure at designated clinics
- A valid visa
Upon arrival in South Korea, you will be required to present your passport, valid visa, and isolation exemption certificate.
You will then undergo a PCR test at Incheon Airport and remain in a centralised quarantine area designated by the ROK Government for one to two days until test results are released.
During your stay, you must follow all local COVID-19 prevention guidelines, keep to your controlled itinerary for the first 14 days, and activate the ROK Government’s Self Health Check Mobile App.
Upon return from South Korea, you will then have to adhere to prevailing Stay-Home Notice requirements.
Malaysia
From 17 August 2020, Singapore and Malaysia have resumed cross-border travel under two schemes: the reciprocal green lane (RGL) for travellers on shorter visits, and the longer-term periodic commuting arrangement (PCA)..
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to Malaysia via the RGL must be sponsored by either a company or a government agency in Malaysia, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant with the authorities.
Pre-departure to Malaysia, Singapore residents under the RGL must produce:
- A Letter of Invitation issued by the Malaysian government specifically for essential business or official travel under the RGL
- A negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken 72 hours before departure at designated clinics
- A valid visa
Upon arrival, you will be required to take a PCR test and remain in isolation until test results are released.
During your stay, you must follow all local COVID-19 prevention measures, keep to your controlled itinerary, and download the MySejahtera contact tracing app.
Upon return, you will be exempted from the Stay Home Notice requirements if you:
- Obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test at accredited facilities within 72 hours prior to departure from Malaysia; and
- Undertake a COVID-19 PCR test at the airport/checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore and remain in isolation until test results are released
China
Since 8 June 2020, Singapore and China have established the Singapore-China Fast Lane between six Chinese provinces and municipalities (Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Zhejiang) and Singapore.
Residents in Singapore seeking to travel to China via the fast lane must be sponsored by either a company or a government agency in China, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant with the local provincial / municipal authorities.
Pre-departure, Singapore residents must produce:
- A Letter of Invitation issued by the Chinese provincial/municipal authorities of Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin or Zhejiang
- A negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken 72 hours before departure at designated clinics
- A valid visa
Upon arrival, you will need to undergo PCR and serology tests, and remain in a centralised quarantine area designated by the local provincial / municipal government for one to two days until test results are released.
During your stay, you must follow local COVID-19 prevention measures, keep to your controlled itinerary for the first 14 days, and download the local health QR code used in the province /municipality.
Upon return, you will be exempted from the Stay Home Notice requirements if you:
- Obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test at accredited facilities within 48 hours prior to departure from China; and
- Undertake a COVID-19 PCR test at the airport/checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore and remain in isolation until test results are released
- Produce the following two documents to ICA at Singapore Immigration (a) the letter from the PRC Embassy in Singapore which confirms that you were granted approval by the relevant authorities to travel to China via the fast lane; and (b) negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained 48 hours prior to departure from China.
Overall, Singapore’s existing travel lanes feature similar mechanics to safeguard public health – requiring for travellers to take pre-departure and post-arrival PCR tests, and to stick to a controlled itinerary without using public transportation.
As Singapore builds upon these tried and tested mechanics, and expands to more green lane arrangements with countries such as Japan and other G-20 countries, we can continue to have hope that international travel will make a safe and healthy return in the near future.
For more information, feel free to drop us an email at [email protected].
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