How to travel under the Air Travel Pass from Australia to Singapore

Kiran Sidhu
Kiran Sidhu
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With Australia’s Covid-19 cases under control, Singapore re-opened its borders to Australia under the Air Travel Pass terms and conditions.

Since travel restrictions change from time to time, start your business travel plans with research. Check here to see if the safe travel lanes are active or suspended.

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Are Australians allowed to enter Singapore?

As long as you are a resident from Australia you are allowed to apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP). You can only enter by Air on a direct flight and can visit on a short-term basis. Meaning the reason for travel does not need to be for essential travel for business or official purposes. 

Each traveller must apply individually for his/her own ATP, and each trip requires a new ATP.

There are no charges to apply for an ATP and you can apply between 7 to 30 calendar days before your intended date to travel into Singapore. It takes about 3 working days for an application to be processed. Great news! You do not need to go through a 3rd party, be sponsored by a company or a government agency. Just apply here: SafeTravel | Air Travel Pass (caas.gov.sg) 

Your ATP is valid for single entry into Singapore anytime from your intended date of entry and up to 7 calendar days after. What this means is, if your approved ATP states that you are to enter Singapore on 1 September 2020, you have up to 8 September to enter should you need to make changes to your travel arrangements. The ATP is NOT an immigration visit pass, it only allows you to seek entry into Singapore within a specified period.

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singapore atp
Air Travel Pass Application

What do I need to do before entering Singapore and leaving Australia?

Before leaving Australia, you must have remained in Australia 14 days prior to departure. Be in good health and have booked your hotel in Singapore to service your isolation period while waiting for your Covid-19 test results in Singapore. 

You must download the TraceTogether app and submit your health declarations electronically via the SG Arrival Card, no more than 3 days prior to your arrival in Singapore. 

You do not need to take a Covid-19 test prior to departing for Singapore, however you are encouraged to take one. 

You should register and pre-pay for their on-arrival Covid-19 test prior to leaving Australia. The test cost S$196 (inclusive of GST) per person. 

Trace together app
Download Trace Together App
Singapore Arrival Card
ICA | SG Arrival Card

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What happens when I arrive in Singapore from Australia?

You must undertake a Covid-19 test at Changi, and stay in isolation in your pre-booked hotel till you receive your test results.

The test results will be out within 48 hours. During this short commute (between the airport to your hotel), it is advised to hire a pre-arranged, private transportation to take you to your hotel. You are not allowed to take any public transport for this commute. 

You can be picked up by a colleague, family member or friend in a private vehicle, however there are terms and conditions you have to follow:

  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a mask at all times. 
  • You must be transported directly to the hotel.
  • You should sit alone in the back seat and the front passenger seat should be left unoccupied.
  • If more than one traveller (you plus another person) is picked up by the same driver, all passengers sharing the same vehicle should have the same travel history and head to the same declared accommodation.
  • The vehicle windows should be wound down and the air-conditioning turned off, where practical.
  • After you have been dropped off at your declared accommodation, the driver should wipe down the vehicle according to National Environment Agency (NEA) guidelines for surface cleaning and disinfection.

While waiting for your Covid-19 test results, you are allowed to share the same room with your family members, travel companions or a caretaker, provided they share similar travel history to you in the past 14 days prior to your departure for Singapore. Meaning they are people who have travelled with you and are in your travel circle. You’re not allowed to have outside visitors during your isolation period. 

However, if your test result is confirmed to be positive, all persons who had shared the same room with you, as well as those identified to be a close contact with you, will be issued a Quarantine Order by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH). You are also individually responsible for your medical treatment and expenses in Singapore too.

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What you must do while in Singapore?

You must upload all your information on the TraceTogether app. You must check in and out of each location using the locations SafeEntry QR codes. The bluetooth mode on your mobile must be on at all times to enable TraceTogether’s functions. These apps must remain installed and data retained for at least 14 days after returning from Singapore. 

It is highly recommended to purchase a local SIM card to be able to follow these contact tracing procedures smoothly when in Singapore. SIM cards can be purchased at Changi International Airport. If your mobile device is not compatible with the apps, you may rent a device at the Changi info counters. 

Should you require an extension of this visit pass, submit your application to  https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/esvclandingpage/extend at least 7 days prior to the expiry of the visit pass to avoid overstaying.

Each application will be reviewed and there is no guarantee that an extension will be granted.

Safe Entry 1
Use Safe Entry App for Location Check-Ins

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What do I need to look out for when travelling back to Australia from Singapore?

It’s about managing any travel and health risks! If you are unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19 upon your return from Singapore, you must declare your condition on the TraceTogether app

When you arrive in Australia even if you test negative, you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival – unless you have an exemption.

There may be additional tests, restrictions and border controls for some states and territories. And you may have to bear the cost of quarantine too. Please do a check with the Australia states and territories respectively.

You’ll be in a hotel for this mandatory quarantine period and you can’t travel domestically (including to your home) or continue on any domestic connections until you have completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and applicable state legislation, you’ll have to remain in the allocated accommodation until you’re medically cleared to enter the Australian community.

You may have to be tested for COVID-19 during your quarantine period. If you don’t agree to be tested, you may have to quarantine for longer.

The quarantine requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments with Australian Government support.
More info here: Returning to Australia | Smartraveller

Australia Singapore Air Travel Pass

Some useful information

  • Children aged 12 years old or younger in that calendar year are not required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport upon arrival in Singapore.
  • Individuals who cannot use a mobile device due to a certified disability are not required to use the TraceTogether app.  
  • You may refer to the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) website for a list of hotels currently accepting visitors travelling to Singapore under the Green Lane or Air Travel Pass. The list is non-exhaustive.
  • Visitors who are visa-required passport holders must separately obtain a visa for entry into Singapore. Such visitors can apply for their visa two working days after receiving their ATP approval letter.
  • Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevant authorities in Singapore may introduce new measures or requirements as and when necessary to safeguard public health. This may result in changes to the conditions or cancellation of the ATP at short notice. Applicants will be notified of any such changes or cancellation of their ATP.

More important notes

Mobile devices that are incompatible with the TraceTogether app include:

  1. Huawei phones that do not have access to Google Play store (e.g. Mate 30, P40, P40 Pro.)
  2. Non-camera phones
  3. Phones with Android version 5.0 and below
  4. Phones with iOS version 9 and below
  5. Phones running on Blackberry OS or Symbian OS
  6. Phones with a Mobile Device Management (MDM system installed by employers that prevents downloads from the Google Play store or App Store)
  7. Phones that do not have access to the Google Play store, App Store, or Google Play Services

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