Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What is the Periodic Commuting Arrangement?

The Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) is a scheme agreed between Singapore and Malaysia to allow work and business-related travel between the two countries via the land border crossings at the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. Under the PCA, Malaysia Citizens and Malaysia Permanent Residents who are Singapore work pass holders or Malaysia Citizens who are Singapore Permanent Residents employed in Singapore are permitted to enter Singapore, and should reside in Singapore for at least 90 days.

2. What is the rationale for imposing a daily quota? Is there a webpage for me to check if the daily quota has been maximised? Are there any plans to revise the daily quota in the future?

The quota is imposed to stagger and manage the volume of daily entrants via our land crossings. This mitigates the extent of crowds and congestion. It also allows swab operations to be conducted more smoothly, without overwhelming our public health system. While companies applying for the PCA are unable to check for the available quota, they will be alerted during registration if the quota has been maximised. Depending on the demand for PCA, the quota may be revised in future.

For Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents

3. I am a Malaysian citizen and a Singapore PR. I am currently in Malaysia, but I want to return to Singapore. Can I use the PCA to return to Singapore?

If you are a Singapore PR with a valid Re-Entry Permit, you may return to Singapore without the need for any entry approval. However, you will be subjected to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice requirements after arriving in Singapore. You may wish to refer to safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health for details and updates on border control measures as well as safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/shn for information on the prevailing health measures for Singapore Citizens and PRs returning from abroad.

If you are a Singapore PR employed in Singapore, you may also use the PCA to return to Singapore. Singapore PRs who enter with or without PCA will be subjected to the same border health treatment in Singapore, except that Singapore PRs working in Singapore have the option to apply for PCA through their Singapore employers to facilitate their home leave in Malaysia. Your employer would have to apply for a PCA pass on your behalf at https://go.gov.sg/pcamsia. For Singapore PRs who apply for PCA, they will also have to adhere to the PCA Requirements and Process at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/pca/requirements-and-process.

4. I am a Singapore Citizen who is currently in Malaysia. Do I need the PCA to return to Singapore?

For Singapore citizens, you do not need any entry approval to return to Singapore. However, you will be subject to the prevailing Stay-Home Notice requirements after arriving in Singapore. You may wish to refer to safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health for details and updates on border control measures, as well as www.ica.gov.sg/covid-19/shn for more information about SHN issued by ICA.

5. I am a Malaysian citizen and a Singapore PR. I am currently in Singapore but I want to return to Malaysia. Do I need the PCA to return to Malaysia?

Entry into Malaysia is governed by the Malaysian authorities. You may wish to reach out to the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.kln.gov.my, the Malaysian Immigration Department https://www.imi.gov.my or the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore https://www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_singapore for further advice.

If you wish to return to Malaysia for short-term home leave, and re-enter Singapore after your short-term home leave, you are strongly encouraged to apply for the Singapore-issued PCA before leaving Singapore.

The Singapore-issued PCA may be required by the Malaysian authorities for you to be exempted from the 14-day Home Surveillance Order (HSO)* in Malaysia. However, you may be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia and self-isolate while waiting for the test results.

*The longest duration of a short-term home leave while being exempted from the HSO is less than or equals to 60 days, subject to when the application is approved. Please note that you are not required to indicate your date of entry to Malaysia for the application.

Singapore PRs working in Singapore also have the option to apply for PCA through their Singapore employers to facilitate their home leave in Malaysia. For Singapore PRs who apply for PCA, they will also have to adhere to the PCA Requirements and Process.

6. I am a Singapore Citizen/PR holding a Malaysia Work Pass. I am currently based in Singapore and I wish to return to Malaysia for business and work purposes. Can I use the PCA to return to Malaysia?

Yes, you may use the PCA to return to Malaysia. If your trip to Malaysia is less than 14 days, you may use the RGL.

Information on entering Malaysia is available on the Malaysian Immigration Department’s webpage (https://www.imi.gov.my/portal2017/index.php/ms/sumber-dan-arkib/pengumuman/1833-Malaysia-Singapore-border-crossing-arrangement.html)

For further advice and details, you may wish to reach out to the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.kln.gov.my), the Malaysian Immigration Department (www.imi.gov.my) or the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore (www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_Singapore).

Application

7. Can I apply for the PCA for my employee to enter Malaysia on this application platform?

No. This PCA application platform is intended for Singapore-based companies who require their Malaysian employees to return to Singapore for work.

For details on the application procedures and requirements for Singapore Citizens and PRs to enter Malaysia under the PCA, please visit the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s website at https://www.imi.gov.my/portal2017/index.php/ms/sumber-dan-arkib/pengumuman/1833-malaysia-singapore-border-crossing-arrangement.html. For queries related to entering Malaysia under the PCA, please approach the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

8. What are the steps from the time an application is put in, to the time the result of the PCA application is received? How long is the processing time? What information/documents need to be submitted for the PCA application?

Individuals are not permitted to apply for PCA. Singapore-based companies have to apply for the PCA on behalf of their employees to enter Singapore for work. The company has to submit the PCA application using their CorpPass at the PCA application platform. Applications for the PCA can be made up to 60 days prior to the intended date of entry.

Upon successful application under the PCA, an email will be sent to the point of contact provided by the company in the application.

9. I am unable to log in with my CorpPass.

Please ensure that you are using a CorpPass administrator account to log in to the Safe Travel Portal. A CorpPass administrator can also assign all government, or specific e-service access to a CorpPass user within the same company via the CorpPass Website. Please search for ‘Safe Travel Portal’ under the e-service catalogue.

10. Is the PCA approval of my employee transferrable?

No. An approval is given to a specific employee and therefore cannot be transferred.

Should another employee require to enter Singapore under PCA, a separate application must be submitted.

11. Can the family member of my employee who holds a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) enter Singapore with my employee, if my employee receives an approved PCA application?

They may apply for an entry approval with MOM.

12. Can the family member of my employee who is a Singapore Permanent Resident enter Singapore with my employee, if my employee receives an approved PCA application?

They should apply for an entry approval with ICA.

13. My employee has an in-principle approval or Letter of Consent (LOC), can I apply for PCA?

No. Please apply for an entry approval with MOM. Those on LTVPs issued by ICA need to request for ICA’s entry approval, even if they have LOCs issued by MOM.

14. Can I apply for a PCA if my employee is entering Singapore from Malaysia via air or sea?

No. Please apply for an entry approval with MOM.

15. Do I need to pay to apply for PCA on behalf of my employees?

Payment for the mandatory COVID-19 PCR test for each employee is required at the point of application and must be made via credit card. Employers/employees should expect to pay around S$125 (inclusive of GST) per COVID-19 PCR test administered to the PCA traveller on Day 14 of stay at the dedicated SHN facility. In addition, a 14-day SHN at the dedicated SHN facility will cost S$2,000 (inclusive of GST).

16. What is the duration of stay in Singapore that my employee will be eligible for under PCA? Can I extend the PCA period for my employee?

The duration of stay in Singapore is tied to the validity of the employee’s long-term work pass for business and work (for employees who are work pass holders), or the validity of the employee’s PR status in Singapore (for employees who are Singapore PRs).

Should the employee leave Singapore, employers will only be able to apply for a new PCA for their employee to re-enter Singapore 90 days after the date of his/her prior entry.

17. Can my employee use the PCA to come to Singapore for study, short-term work, or leisure purposes?

No. The PCA application is only for travellers holding either a valid long-term work pass in Singapore for business and work purposes, or for those who have Singapore PR status.

Travellers seeking to enter Singapore for study may wish to visit https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/media-releases/media-release/entry-approval-required-for-all-long-term-pass-holders for more information.

18. Do I need a new application each time my employee wants to enter Singapore after their home leave?

If your employee is a work pass holder, a new PCA application is required each time your employee wants to enter Singapore.

If your employee is a Singapore PR, please refer to FAQ number 3.

19. I am a confinement nanny. Can I apply for a PCA to enter Singapore?

No. Please get your employer to apply for an entry approval with MOM.

20. I am an employment agency. Can I apply for a PCA for the domestic helpers of my clients?

No. Please apply for an entry approval with MOM.

21. I did not receive any approval email after completing payment.

If you do not receive the approval email within a few minutes of completing payment, please check your spam or junk folder for an email from SafeTravelOffice (SafeTravelOffice@ica.gov.sg). Please also ensure you are checking the mailbox of the contact person of the Sponsoring Organisation. This should be the email address which received the OTP during the email verification process of your PCA application.

If the problem persists, please email COVID_SafeTravelAppeals@mti.gov.sg with the following information:

• PCA application ID;
• Email of the Sponsoring Organisation’s contact person;
• Screenshot of your application status or payment invoice;
• FIN and FIN expiry number of your employee (s);
• Your phone number for follow-up.

Please note we will only be able to resend the approval email to the email address of the Sponsoring Organisation’s contact person that was keyed in during the application process. We will not entertain any request to resend the approval email to a different email address.

22. The system indicated that I have keyed in an invalid FIN number.

If your employees are work pass holders, please ensure that they are holders of one of the following MOM-issued work passes: (i) Employment Pass; (ii) EntrePass; (iii) Personalised Employment Pass; (iv) S Pass; (v) Work Permit; (vi) Training Employment Pass; (vii) Training Work Permit; and (viii) Work Holiday Pass. The pass should also be valid for at least 15 days from the date of entry into Singapore.

For the best user experience, we recommend that you use Google Chrome (version 84 or later) on a desktop or laptop computer to access the PCA application. If the error persists, please email COVID_SafeTravelAppeals@mti.gov.sg the FIN and FIN expiry dates of the workers you intend to bring in to Singapore under the PCA.

23. I am unable to complete my application. An error message keeps popping up before I can complete the application.

For the best user experience, we recommend that you use Google Chrome (version 84 or later) on a desktop or laptop computer to access the PCA application. If the problem persist please email COVID_SafeTravelAppeals@mti.gov.sg a screenshot of the error message with contact details for follow up.

Pre-Arrival in Singapore

24. What documentation does my employee who has been approved to enter Singapore under the PCA need to present to the immigration staff in Singapore before he/she will be allowed entry?

Please ensure that your employee has a copy (digital or hardcopy) of the PCA approval letter, which may be required as proof during immigration clearance at Malaysia’s checkpoint. The employee must present a valid passport at the Singapore checkpoint, otherwise he/she will be turned away. For work pass holders, they must also present their work pass at the Singapore checkpoint.

With effect from 27 November 2020, 2359 hours, your employee will also need to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before entry into Singapore and present a valid negative COVID-19 test result at the Singapore checkpoint as a condition for entry into Singapore. This does not apply if your employee is a Singapore PR.

25. My employee is suddenly unable to enter Singapore on the date indicated in the application, can I amend the application and seek a refund for the COVID-19 PCR test?

No. Please make sure that your employee is able to enter on the date indicated in the application. You may not amend a PCA application or seek a refund for the COVID-19 PCR test payment once the PCA application has been approved. If your employee is unable to enter Singapore on the date indicated in the application, please note that employers will only be able to apply for a new PCA for their employee to re-enter Singapore 90 days after the date of his/her prior entry.

26. Can I cancel my PCA application and resubmit a new PCA application if there is a mistake?

No. You may not cancel a PCA application or seek a refund for the SDF charges and COVID-19 PCR test payment once the PCA application has been approved. Please ensure all information in the PCA application is correct.

If your employee is unable to enter Singapore on the date indicated in the application, please note that employers will only be able to apply for a new PCA for their employee to re-enter Singapore 90 days after the date of his/her prior entry.

27. Can I obtain a copy of the COVID-19 PCR test payment receipt?

The receipt for the COVID-19 PCR test payment would have been generated and displayed at the point of payment via a pop-out window. As per the instructions during the payment process, the pop-out blocker needs to be turned off for this. If you have missed this, we regret to inform you that we are unable to generate a new receipt.

28. I have keyed in the wrong contact details in the electronic Health Declaration Form (eHDC) and would like to update/amend my contact details.

If you would like to update your contact details provided in the eHDC, you are required to do both of the following:

1. Email COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg with your employee’s name and FIN, as well as your employee’s updated Singapore mobile number and/or address.
2. Your employee is also required to update their contact details here (https://mom.gov.sg/feedbackshn).

29. I am unable to input my contact details into the FWMOMCARE app.

Please refer to https://mom.gov.sg/feedbackshn if you are encountering technical issues with the FWMOMCARE app.

SHN Measures

30. What should I do if I am feeling unwell on the date of my COVID-19 PCR swab appointment?

If you are feeling unwell on the day of your COVID-19 PCR swab appointment, do not proceed to the appointed test site. Please refer to the following link for the terms and conditions of your swab appointment, including the available means to seek appropriate medical attention: https://go.gov.sg/tc.

Health Measures

31. Are there any materials I can disseminate to my employees to prepare them for their SHN and COVID-19 test in Singapore?

For more information on the SHN guidelines in Singapore, you may refer to https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/loa-shn-matters.

Testing Arrangements

32. What is the procedure for the COVID-19 PCR test and how long will it take?

There will be four stations at the COVID-19 PCR test site, comprising (i) holding area, (ii) registration, (iii) swabbing and (iv) discharge. The entire process from the first to last station will take approximately an hour, while the COVID-19 PCR test itself will take approximately 6 minutes.

33. How is the COVID-19 PCR test appointment arranged, and who will be informed of the appointment details?

Your employee is required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on the 14th day of his/her SHN period. An SMS message and email notification will be sent to the employer/employee by the 11th day of the employee’s SHN period. The notification will indicate the employee’s test date, time of test and designated test site for the COVID-19 PCR test. Employers are then expected to inform their employees of the appointment details.

If the employee/employer does not receive a notification containing the details of the employee’s COVID-19 PCR test date, time and designated test site by the 11th day of the employee’s SHN period, please contact us at COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg with the employee’s name and FIN(for work pass holder) or NRIC (for Singapore PR), as well as your mobile number.

34. My employee is unable to go for his/her COVID-19 test on the scheduled date. Who can I contact to reschedule a new swab appointment?

The employee is expected to strictly adhere to his/her appointment timing for his/her COVID-19 PCR test. It will be a breach of the Infectious Disease Act if he/she does not undergo the COVID-19 PCR test. Please note that the employee can only exit his/her SHN if the test result is negative, whichever is later.

35. Can I go for my COVID-19 PCR test at a different time slot?

No. You are required to turn up at the COVID-19 PCR test site at your assigned timeslot.

36. If I have done a swab test/recovered from COVID-19 in the past, do I still need to do a test in Singapore?

All PCA travellers are required to follow existing COVID-19 PCR test and SHN procedures, unless advised otherwise. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, please drop us an email at COVID_SafeTravelAppeals@mti.gov.sg with your first positive PCR test certificate (in English) and any other relevant supporting documentation. We will notify travellers who are exempted from the COVID-19 PCR test or SHN.

37. If I am unable to do the nasal COVID-19 PCR test due to certain medical conditions (i.e. frequent nose bleeds, operations on face or nose area, tumours or cancers of the nose or throat area, facial or skull fractures), can I inform anybody before I am scheduled for the COVID-19 PCR test?

Please drop us an email at COVID_SafeTravelAppeals@mti.gov.sg, before entry into Singapore, indicating the medical condition and the following employee particulars:

1. Name
2. FIN No. (for work pass holder) or NRIC (for Singapore PR)
3. Date of Birth
4. Gender
5. Contact No.

38. If I am a work pass holder but do not have my work pass, what can I bring to validate my identity at the COVID-19 PCR test site?

The employee must bring a digital copy of their Singapore-issued work pass and his/her passport to validate their identity. If the employee has lost his/her work pass, they should first make an official police report. On the day of the COVID-19 PCR test, he/she should bring along the police report (which must include his/her FIN no.) and passport to validate his/her identity.

For Singapore PR employees, they will have to bring along their NRIC to validate their identity at the COVID-19 PCR test site.

39. How do I make payment for the COVID-19 PCR test? How much does a COVID-19 PCR test cost?

Payment for the mandatory COVID-19 PCR test for each employee is required at the point of application and must be made via credit card. Employers/employees should expect to pay around S$125 (inclusive of GST) per COVID-19 PCR test administered to the PCA traveller on Day 14 of stay at the SDF.

40. What COVID-19 tests will my employee be subject to upon arrival in Singapore? How will I and/or my employee be informed of his/her COVID-19 test result?

The employee under the PCA is required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on the assigned date of swabbing before the end of his/her SHN period. The point of contact provided by the employer will receive an email and SMS message indicating their employee’s test date, time of test and designated test site for the COVID-19 PCR test.

COVID-19 PCR test results will be sent to employers within 2 days of the test. Should there be a need for a second test, employers will be informed. While awaiting test results, individuals should continue to observe the SHN period in his/her declared SHN residence.

If the employer does not receive a notification containing the results of the employee’s COVID-19 PCR test results within 2 days of the test, please contact us at COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg with the employee’s name and FIN, as well as your mobile number.

41. What if my employee who returns from Malaysia develops onset of symptoms of COVID-19 in Singapore? Who will pay for my employee’s medical treatment?

(i) For employers of long term work pass holders (LTPHs) who enter Singapore under the PCA:

If your employee develops onset of symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of their return to Singapore, the employer/employee will bear the costs of the medical treatment, subject to MOM’s requirements. Employees may tap on prevailing financing arrangements to fund the costs of their medical treatment.

If your employee develops onset of symptoms of COVID-19 after 14 days of their return, the costs of their medical treatment will be borne by the Singapore Government.

(ii) For employers of Singapore PRs who enter Singapore under the PCA;

If your employee develops onset of symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of their return to Singapore, they will be able to tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements for their medical bills – Singapore PRs may access Government subsidies and MediShield Life / Integrated Shield Plan (MSHL/IP) to help pay for their bills.

If your employee develops onset of symptoms of COVID-19 after 14 days of their return to Singapore, the costs of their medical treatment will be borne by the Singapore Government.

42. I am a Singapore Citizen/PR under the Malaysia-issued PCA returning to Singapore for short-term home leave. What if I test positive for COVID-19 in Singapore? Who will pay for my medical treatment?

Travellers will be responsible for charges for COVID-19 treatment if symptoms develop during his/her stay in Singapore.

For Singapore Citizens/PRs and LTPHs, charges for COVID-19 treatment will apply if symptoms develop within the first 14 days of their return to Singapore. They will be able to tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements for their medical bills – SCs/PRs may access Government subsidies and MediShield Life / Integrated Shield Plan (MSHL/IP) to help pay for their bills, while LTPHs may tap on their usual financing arrangements (e.g., private insurance), where applicable.

If they develop onset of symptoms of COVID-19 after 14 days of their return to Singapore, the costs of their medical treatment will be borne by the Singapore Government.

Returning to Malaysia

43. What do I do if my employee needs to return to Malaysia before the 3-months (i.e. 90 days) stay is up?

Should your employee need to return to Malaysia before the end of the 3 months (i.e. 90 days) stay, please note that you will only be able to apply for another PCA on behalf of the same employee for re-entry into Singapore 90 days after his/her date of prior entry.

For Feedback/Enquiries

44. Who should I contact should I have any feedback or queries?

You may wish to contact us via email at COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg. We will endeavour to reply you within 3-5 working days.

SHN in SHN Dedicated Facilities

45. What are dedicated SHN facilities?

To prevent potential spread of infection from PCA travellers who have a travel history to Malaysia, the Government has worked with hotel operators to provide dedicated facilities for the affected PCA travellers to serve their 14-day SHN. Transportation will be arranged to send the PCA travellers directly from the border checkpoint to the hotels. Each will have their own room/toilet, and will be provided all their meals, so that they may avoid physical contact with other individuals.

SHN dedicated hotels will be assigned to affected PCA travellers upon their arrival in Singapore. There will be no booking required.

46. What are the costs for utilising the dedicated SHN facilities?

A 14-day SHN at the dedicated SHN facility will cost S$2,000 (inclusive of GST).

47. Can I change the PCA entry date for employees who have a travel history in Malaysia?

No. We regret to inform you that no changes to the date of entry are allowed once an application has been approved. Please note that should your employee be unable to enter on the approved date, you will not be able to apply for another PCA for the same employee for a date of entry within 90 days from his/her last approved date of entry.

48. I have pre-booked a hotel/other accommodation to serve out my SHN prior to this announcement. Can I stay in my original hotel? Can I seek a refund?

Affected PCA travellers are required to serve their SHN in the dedicated SHN facility, even if they have pre-booked other accommodation. Those who have arranged to serve out their SHN at other accommodation should inform their accommodation provider accordingly and discuss possible options for refund.

49. I am travelling to Singapore with an immediate family member on the same day. Can we stay in the same SDF room?

Under the PCA, only immediate family members who arrive in Singapore on the same day are permitted to stay in the same SDF room (up to 2 pax). Immediate family members travelling into Singapore together will be sent to the same SDF. Upon arrival at the SDF, they can notify the hotel duty manager that they wish to share a room with their family member, even if they are from different companies.

Recovered Travellers

50. I was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. When can I travel into Singapore?

You should schedule your travel into Singapore at least 21 days after your date of COVID-19 diagnosis, based on your first positive PCR test. For example, if the date of your swab which yielded your first positive PCR test is on 1 Nov (Day 1), you should only depart for Singapore on 22 Nov (Day 22) and onwards. You should not travel if feeling unwell.

Travellers with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the past 21 days may be denied entry into Singapore at the checkpoints.

51. I have recovered from COVID-19, am I required to undergo the pre-departure test before entry into Singapore?

Individuals who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 infection will still be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure for Singapore. Children aged 6 and below (in the calendar year) are currently exempted from the pre-departure PCR test. If the pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test result is positive, the recovered individual must also provide documentary proof of his/her past diagnosis of COVID-19, based on his/her first ever positive PCR test result. The date of the first ever positive PCR test result must be between 22 to 180 days prior to the date of arrival in Singapore. The documentary proof should be presented to the immigration officers at the checkpoints in Singapore.