How should my Thai name appear on the SGAC compared to the passport?

Use the Latin transliteration exactly as it appears in your passport's machine-readable zone. Thai names are transliterated by the Department of Consular Affairs and may not match your usual English spelling. If your passport says 'SOMCHAI JAIDEE', enter exactly that on the SGAC. Mismatches between the SGAC and passport cause delays at immigration.

What's the time zone difference between Thailand and Singapore?

Singapore is 1 hour ahead of Thailand. Thailand is GMT+7 (Indochina Time, ICT), Singapore is GMT+8 (Singapore Time, SGT). When it's 12:00 in Bangkok, it's 13:00 in Singapore. Neither country observes daylight saving.

Are Thai credit and debit cards accepted in Singapore?

Yes. All major Thai-issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards are accepted across Singapore. Notify your bank of international travel before you go to avoid card blocks. ATMs at Changi dispense Singapore dollars from Thai bank cards (with the usual international withdrawal fees from your bank).

Do I need any vaccinations to enter Singapore from Thailand?

For travel directly from Thailand, no specific vaccinations are required. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you've recently been in a yellow-fever-risk country. Verify with the Singapore Ministry of Health website close to your travel date.

Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?

Stays beyond 30 days require a Long-Term Visit Pass or similar. You cannot extend a visa-free entry simply by leaving and re-entering (this practice may be flagged by immigration). For extended stays, apply for the appropriate pass before travel.

Can my whole family file one SGAC application together?

Through ICA's portal, no, each traveller needs their own SGAC submission. Through SGAC Online, yes, one application can cover up to 10 travellers in the same transaction, with group discounts applied automatically.

What if my passport is renewed after I file the SGAC?

If your passport is renewed (and the passport number changes) after the SGAC is approved, you'll need a fresh SGAC with the new passport details. Singapore immigration matches the SGAC to the passport you present at the border.

Are there direct flights from Thailand to Singapore?

Yes. Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Scoot, AirAsia, and others operate frequent direct flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi BKK and Don Mueang DMK), Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi. Flight time is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours from Bangkok. Many low-cost carrier options.

What about transit through Singapore on my way to Australia or Europe?

If you're transiting through Changi without entering Singapore (staying airside in the international transit area), no SGAC is needed. If you exit immigration to enter Singapore (even briefly for a stopover), the SGAC is required.

From Thailand

Singapore Arrival Card for Thai travellers

Thai passport holders enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days. No visa application needed. The Singapore Arrival Card, however, is still mandatory.

Last updated: 2026-04-26

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Visa needed

Visa-free up to 30 days

SGAC needed

Yes

Mandatory for all entries

SGAC submit window

72 hours pre-arrival

Earlier is rejected

SGAC fee

USD 30

Group discounts apply

Visa-free travellers still need the SGAC. File yours in five minutes inside the 72-hour window.

Start application

What you need to enter Singapore from Thailand

As a Thai passport holder, you don't need to apply for a Singapore visa for tourism, business, or transit. Singapore admits Thai passport holders visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. You will, however, need to file the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) with Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority before you arrive. Skip the SGAC and you board the flight but get turned back at Changi immigration.

The visa-free entry isn't automatic at the border. Singapore immigration officers check your passport, your accommodation, and (sometimes) your return ticket. The SGAC tells them all of this in advance, so the airport check is fast.

Visa-free entry rules

Visa application
Not required
Maximum stay
30 days per entry
Passport validity
6+ months from arrival date
Return ticket
Required at the border, may be checked
Filing window
Not applicable
Government fee
No fee

SGAC requirements

Visa application
Not applicable
Maximum stay
Tied to your arrival date
Passport validity
Same passport must match
Return ticket
Optional in the form
Filing window
Up to 72 hours before arrival
Government fee
No government fee

Step-by-step: from booking to boarding

Book your trip
Confirm your flight to Singapore and your accommodation. Make sure your Thai passport has at least 6 months validity from your arrival date.
File your SGAC
Within 72 hours of your arrival date, file the Singapore Arrival Card. You'll need your passport details, flight number, and Singapore accommodation address.
Receive your SGAC approval by email
Usually within hours. Save it on your phone. No printing needed.
Travel to Singapore
At Changi immigration, present your passport. Your SGAC is already on file with ICA, they look you up by passport number. The visa-free stamp is added at the border.

Visa-free entry from Thailand

The visa-free arrangement covers most short-term travel from Thailand. A few details worth knowing.

What's covered

Tourism for leisure travel of any kind
Business meetings, conferences, and short-term business trips including signing contracts, attending meetings, giving presentations
Family visits for visiting friends or relatives
Transit through Singapore en route to another destination

What's NOT covered

Paid work in Singapore which requires an Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, or other work pass
Long-term study which requires a Student's Pass for courses longer than 30 days
Stays beyond 30 days which require a Long-Term Visit Pass or similar
Permanent residency or retirement migration which requires the appropriate ICA application

Passport requirements

Thai passport with at least 6 months validity from your date of arrival in Singapore
At least one blank page for the entry stamp
Confirmed return air ticket (immigration may ask to see this)
Confirmed Singapore accommodation address (immigration may ask)
Sufficient funds for the duration of your stay (rarely checked but technically required)

Common entry refusal reasons

Passport validity less than 6 months from arrival date
No return or onward ticket booked
Stated purpose of visit doesn't match the visa-free categories above
Previous overstay or visa violation in Singapore
Outstanding ICA records or alerts on your name

Filing the Singapore Arrival Card

The SGAC is a pre-arrival declaration that tells Singapore ICA who you are, when you're arriving, and where you're staying. Mandatory for visa-free travellers, has its own 72 hour window, takes about three minutes to file.

What you need

Your Thai passport details (passport number, expiry, full name as on passport's Latin transliteration)
Confirmed flight number and arrival date
Confirmed Singapore accommodation address (hotel name and address, or host's address)
Email address where the SGAC approval should be sent

See required documents for the full list before you apply.

When to file

File the SGAC up to 72 hours before your arrival date in Singapore, not earlier. Earlier submissions are rejected by ICA. The 72 hour window starts from your arrival date. If you arrive on the 15th, you can file from the 12th onward.

If you're applying through SGAC Online, submit your details anytime. We hold the application and file it inside the 72 hour window automatically. Read when to submit for the full window rules.

What we do for you

Our team checks every form for the common mistakes that delay or reject SGAC submissions: Thai-to-Latin name transliteration that doesn't match the passport, accommodation address that's incomplete, dates that don't match the flight booking. We file the corrected form with ICA and email you the official approval. See how it works if you'd rather we handle the form for you.

What if your flight changes

If the new flight is on the same arrival date, the SGAC stays valid. If the arrival date changes, you'll need a fresh SGAC for the new date.

Why choose SGAC Online

Catches the Thai-to-Latin name issues

Thai names transliterated into Latin script for the passport's machine-readable zone often have unusual spellings. The SGAC must match the passport MRZ exactly, not your everyday English spelling. We check every name field before submission.

Group submissions for families and tour groups

Travelling with family or as part of a tour group? One submission can cover up to 10 travellers, with group discount applied automatically (15% off for 2-5 travellers, 20% off for 6-10).

Real human review before submission

Every application is checked by a human before it goes to ICA. Catches the typos and mismatches an automated form would let through.

Email support in your time zone

Singapore is 1 hour ahead of Thailand. Reply to your receipt email and a real person responds, usually within a few hours during business hours.

Three minutes per traveller. USD 30 per application. Group discounts apply.

Start your application

Frequently asked questions from Thai travellers

Ready to file your SGAC?

Three minutes per traveller. No visa needed. We file inside ICA's 72 hour window.