Singapore Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF): Quarantine Free Travel from 1st April 2022
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It’s time to retrieve your passports as we can finally travel the world again! The Singapore Government has officially announced plans to transition from the earlier-launched Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) from 1st April 2022.
These simplified travel guidelines allow all fully-vaccinated Singaporeans to travel abroad with less fuss. It also allows fully-vaccinated international travellers to enter Singapore with less restrictions, compared to when COVID-19 was still prevalent. But, what are the new guidelines? And what else should you prepare – besides your passport – to be able to travel?
Here’s everything you need to know about the VTF if you are planning to finally go on that long-awaited holiday.
What is the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF)?
Under the guidelines of the VTF, international tourists from any country or region are allowed to enter Singapore’s borders quarantine-free from 1st April onwards.
Previously under the VTL, only fully-vaccinated travellers from specific countries could enjoy quarantine-free travel to Singapore. It was separated into two – VTL (Air) and VTL (Sea) – which only allowed travellers to enter Singapore via designated VTL flights or ferries. However, do note that the VTL (Sea) to Batam and Bintan also allows quarantine-free travel within the two countries.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements to Travel
Although the Vaccinated Travel Framework mainly highlights what is required to enter Singapore, in terms of COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules, here’s a quick overview of all the testing required for your upcoming travels.
Testing Requirements when Departing from Singapore
If you plan to travel overseas from April 1 onwards, you will need to ensure that you have taken all the required tests, certifying that you are well and not hosting the COVID-19 virus before you board your flight.
You will need to do a Pre-Departure Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within 24 to 72 hours of your scheduled flight overseas. Also, besides testing before you travel, you will have to take an On-Arrival COVID-19 Test after landing at your designated country.
However, these requirements may vary depending on the country you are visiting. We recommend that you check the official health or travel website of the country you plan to visit, for the latest rules and regulations to enter from Singapore.
Testing Requirements when Returning to Singapore
Before you return to Singapore, you will need to take the Pre-Departure Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within 2 days of your scheduled flight back. Check with your hotel if they have a recommended certified clinic to visit. Singapore recognizes any tests taken by a professional, certified doctor.
Other requirements to enter Singapore under the VTF
If you want to enjoy quarantine-free travel upon your return to Singapore via the VTF, you must fulfill the following criteria:
- You must be fully vaccinated with any vaccine approved by World Health Organisation (WHO). Children aged 12 and below can travel quarantine-free if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult.
- You must obtain an approved vaccination certificate on the TraceTogether app, showing your full vaccination status.
- You must fill in the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) 72 hours before your departure to ensure a smooth check-in and arrival process in Singapore.
- You must not have transited or visited via any country on the Singapore Ministry of Health’s Restricted Category in the last 7 consecutive days before your return to Singapore.
It is also worth noting that while non-fully vaccinated long-term pass-holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above are generally not allowed to enter Singapore, there are a few exceptions:
- Long-term pass-holders who are medically ineligible for vaccines
- Long-term pass-holders and short-term visitors who have valid entry approval such as compassionate reasons
- Long-term pass-holders aged between 13 and 17, who will be subjected to a seven-day stay-home notice and an exit polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test after their isolation period
Additional Requirements for Short-term Visitors to Singapore
In addition to pre-departure COVID-19 tests, foreign short-term visitors holding passports or travel documents issued by visa-required countries or regions must apply for an entry visa for Singapore.
They must also purchase travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to their travel to Singapore. These visitors must also download and use Singapore’s contact tracing app – TraceTogether app – while in the country.
Which countries can I travel to under the Vaccinated Travel Framework?
Good news is, you can now visit more than 20 countries from Singapore under the new VTF scheme via air, sea or land. Currently, fully-vaccinated Singaporeans are allowed to visit:
| ASEAN | Asia | Worldwide |
| Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam | Australia, India, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates | Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Maldives, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States |
VTF (Air) travellers are also allowed to travel to or transit via the following list of countries/regions within the last 7 days before their date of entry into Singapore:
| ASEAN | Asia | Worldwide |
| Malaysia, Philippines, | Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Vatican City. |
Enjoy Quarantine-Free Travel via the Vaccinated Travel Framework!
So, you’re now free to travel to any country in the world that has already reopened its borders via the VTF. Do you already have a place in mind? All countries listed above are definitely worth visiting, but we’ve highlighted a few quarantine-free countries to visit that you may want to check out first.
Also, ensure you are covered with the right COVID-related travel insurance so you can enjoy your holiday with full peace of mind. DirectAsia is currently assisting customers who wish to add on COVID-19 travel cover to their single-trip travel insurance policies (before travelling), or in need of further advice regarding COVID-19 related travel insurance. You can request for a direct quote or call us at +65 6665 5555 for further enquiries.
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