The ICA Policy: The Latest Submission Supersedes Previous Entries
It is common to discover a typo in your passport number, realize your hotel address is wrong, or have your flight rescheduled after you’ve submitted your Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC). Since the SGAC contains a mandatory Health Declaration and your travel details for the E-Gates, accuracy is vital. Fortunately, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has a simple, efficient policy for correcting errors: Do not worry, and do not try to cancel the first form.
Trevalo provides the official, step-by-step guide to updating your SGAC submission, ensuring the ICA system holds your correct, validated data before you travel.
🔑 Section 1: The SGAC Correction Policy
The fundamental rule for correcting or updating your SGAC is straightforward and applies whether you made a typo or had a major change in plans.
The Golden Rule: Resubmit a New Form
- No Deletion Necessary: The ICA system is designed to handle multiple submissions. You are not required to cancel, delete, or void your previous declaration.
- Supersedes Previous Data: When you submit a new SGAC using the same passport number, the ICA system automatically registers the latest, valid submission as your official record for that trip, superseding all previous entries.
When Do I Need to Update?
You must update your SGAC submission immediately if any of the following details change:
- Arrival or Departure Date/Time (crucial for the 3-day rule validity).
- Flight, Bus, or Vessel Number.
- Accommodation Address in Singapore.
- Recent Travel History (if you visited a new country within the 14 days before arrival).
- Health Status (if you develop symptoms after initial submission).
🛑 Section 2: SGAC Change Management Scenarios
| Scenario | ICA Policy Action | Risk if Not Updated |
| Simple Typos (Name, Passport) | Resubmit immediately. This prevents biometric/system mismatch at the E-Gates. | You may be rejected by the E-Gate and forced to the manual counter for verification. |
| Flight Rescheduled (New Date) | Resubmit with new arrival date. Crucial if the new date falls outside your original 3-day window. | The original submission will expire, leading to delays upon arrival. |
| Trip Canceled | No action required. The submission will expire automatically after the declared arrival date. | None. You only need to submit a new SGAC when planning your next trip. |
| Health Status Changed | Resubmit immediately. Provide the most current and accurate symptom/travel information. | You risk legal penalties for making a false declaration under the Infectious Diseases Act. |
TREVALO FINAL ADVICE:
Do not rely on telling an immigration officer about a mistake; the SGAC is part of an automated, pre-vetted system. The moment you realize an error, take 5 minutes to submit a correct, new declaration to ensure a seamless entry.