Some nine months after the onset of Covid-19, Singapore is gradually reopening its borders to facilitate travel. This is done through implementing special travel arrangements with some countries and regions, while ensuring sufficient measures are in place to safeguard public health.

These arrangements enable short-term cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes, and progressively, leisure travel as well. Here’s the ‘101’ on Singapore’s special travel arrangements with selected countries/regions.

Fast Lane vs Reciprocal Green Lane arrangements

Fast lane and reciprocal green lane are fundamentally the same, except that different countries term it differently. These lanes refer to mutually agreed upon arrangements that Singapore has established with selected countries or regions to facilitate essential business and official travel.

For instance, business and official travellers can commute between Singapore and China under the Singapore-China Fast Lane agreement while those travelling to and from Japan do so under the Reciprocal Green Lane arrangement.

Business and official travellers need to apply for the SafeTravel Pass (STP) with the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for entry into Singapore.

SafeTravel Pass vs Air Travel Pass

The main difference between the STP and the Air Travel Pass (ATP) lies in the nature of the intended travel.

While the STP only facilitates essential business and official travel, the ATP enables all forms of short-term travel from approved countries or regions, including leisure travel to Singapore. The ATP is valid for a single entry into Singapore anytime from the visitor’s intended date of entry and up to seven calendar days after.

Countries/regions that Singapore has mutually agreed travel arrangements with

Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, as well as six China provinces and municipalities (Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhejiang), have either the Fast Lane or Reciprocal Green Lane arrangements with Singapore. From 26 Oct onwards, the list will expand to include Indonesia as well.

Inbound travellers from these countries/regions have to apply for a mandatory STP, which must be sponsored by a Singapore-based company or Singapore Government Agency.

Other requirements under this travel arrangement include pre-departure and post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and staying at their declared accommodation until the test result is negative, before they can go about on a controlled itinerary for the first 14 days in the country. In addition, they cannot take public transport too, except taxis, private hire cars or cohorted company transport.

Travellers also have to abide by travel protocols and the local country’s health control measures, which in Singapore, includes the use of the TraceTogether app.

Those looking to travel to Singapore under these travel arrangements should visit the Safe Travel website for more details on the specific requirements which apply to their countries/ regions.

Countries that Singapore has unilaterally lifted border restrictions

Australia (excluding Victoria State), Brunei, New Zealand and Vietnam are countries that Singapore has unilaterally lifted its border restrictions to allow short-term visitors. Currently, Brunei is the only country which Singapore has both a green lane arrangement, as well as unilaterally lifted border restrictions.

Visitors from these countries can apply for an Air Travel Pass, which enables all forms of short-term travel to Singapore. Those travelling on the Air Travel Pass should monitor their health before departure, download the TraceTogether app on their mobile device, and undergo a post-arrival PCR test at the airport. They also have to remain in isolation at their declared accommodation in Singapore until they are notified that their test result is negative. Thereafter, they can go about their activities freely.

Singapore’s special travel arrangements at a glance

The gradual lifting of Singapore’s borders in a controlled and safe manner is necessary, as emphasised by the Minister for Transport’s recent declaration that the revival of the Changi Air Hub is a top national priority. In addition to the special travel arrangements above, Singapore will also explore other practical schemes to facilitate travellers, while managing the risk of virus transmission.

Carefully, safely and steadily, Singapore is determined to restore our status as an air hub, to ensure our economic survival and to start rebuilding our future even as Covid-19 continues.