Since Singapore opens a total of 11 countries / regions for quarantine-free travel for Singaporeans and PRs, as well as VTPs for all other categories, here is everything you need to know about the VTL program.
VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) is the hottest new acronym in Singapore, after the government announced this facility of the Republic of South Korea (ROK), with effect from November 15, 2021. That was then updated with eight more lanes– Comes into force on October 13th – to six European countries and two North American countries; then with unvaccinated children under 12 years of age.
In the context of this, Vaccinated Travel Lane is essentially a quarantine-free trip from Singapore to certain countries / regions designated for this initiative. The first VTLs were introduced in September 2021 with Germany and Brunei, which according to Transport Minister S. Iswaran brought a total of more than 3,100 travelers from Germany and Brunei to Singapore. Aside from being a successfully implemented (and controlled) lane, it is also different from other general SafeTravel lanes such as:
- Familial Ties Lane (for Long Term Pass holders and immediate relatives of Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents);
- Air Travel Pass (for short-term business visits) or
- Emergency visits in the event of death or serious illness (for short-term visits to deal with a family crisis).
With the established VTLs, Singapore can not only help “regain and rebuild our status as an international aviation hub with global connectivity”, but also help the country “safely and confidently transition to a COVID-19 resistant nation”. This was announced by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS).
With this in mind, Human Resources Online has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the VTL. They are summarized below.
Q1: Who is eligible for VTL?
The VTLs are open to all Singapore residents (although entry rules are different for the first two and next two demographics):
- Citizens of Singapore;
- Permanent Residents (PRs);
- [must apply for VTP] Short term visitors and
- [must apply for VTP] Holders of a long-term pass.
The VTP requirements are detailed in the above infographic for Singapore citizens and PRs; and the following infographic for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders:
https://www.caas.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs—cc/infographic-b.pdf
Q2: Who has to apply for a VTP according to VTL?
The main groups who need to apply for a Vaccinated Passport (VTP) are fully vaccinated travelers in Singapore who:
- Short-term visitors (including business and business travelers) or
- Holders of long-term passes (ie long-term visitor pass, student pass, work pass or family pass) who are traveling from one of the 11 VTL-approved countries / regions (in Q3).
Travelers should note that a single entry VTP into Singapore is valid at any time from the traveler’s planned date of entry and up to six calendar days thereafter.
Singapore citizens and PRs do not need to apply for a VHP to travel to Singapore under the VTL as they can return to Singapore without an entry permit provided they meet the VTL requirements (i.e. proof of vaccination and approved application).
Likewise, all children (ages 12 and under) who are Singapore citizens, PRs, short term visitors, and long term pass holders are not required to apply for a VTP as long as they are accompanied by a VTL -approved / registered Traveller.
Q3: Which 11 countries / regions fall under VTL?
According to the latest announcement, dated October 9, 2021, there are 11 countries that will go into effect on three separate dates and will open separately for VTL applications.
- Brunei; Germany – Effective Date: September 8, 2021, 2359 hours; Applications open: September 1, 2021, 0000 hours.
- Canada; United States – Effective Date: October 18, 2021, 2359 hours; Applications open: October 12, 2021, 1000 hours.
- Denmark; France; Italy; Netherlands; Spain; United Kingdom – Effective Date: October 18, 2021, 2359 hours; Applications open: October 12, 2021, 1000 hours.
- South Korea – Effective Date: November 14, 2021, 2359 hours; Applications open: November 8, 2021, 1000 hours.
For all other countries / regions that are not covered by the VTL:
– Traveler need to check which category they fall under, and follow the travel procedures listed accordingly.
– Certain countries / regions (e.g. Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan or mainland China) are eligible for other general SafeTravel lanes such as Air passport (ATP) and Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL).
– However, no lanes are allowed for travelers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, unless they are a citizen of Singapore or a PR (more details on this in Q6).
Q4: What are the requirements for VTL?
In order to apply for a trip to VTL, applicants must observe three requirements:
- The first is to make sure they are fully vaccinated (i.e. two doses) with approved and recognized vaccines;
- The second option is to apply for a VHP between seven and 30 calendar days prior to the intended date of entry into Singapore, and
- The third is to take designated VTL flights. South Korea, for example, only through Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Singapore Airlines; while Germany should only be via Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Scoot. You can find more information on this point here.
Q5: VTL (before October 18, 2021) vs. VTL (after)
Before October 18, 2021, travelers must go to Singapore only have been in their VTL country / region of departure and / or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days prior to departure for Singapore. However, as of October 18, 2021, 11:59 p.m., travelers to Singapore can have a travel history of one or more of the VTL countries / regions and / or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days before departure to Singapore.
The above schedule also applies to testing procedures that VTL travelers – including unvaccinated children (up to 12 years of age) – must go through two Tests: a negative PCR test result 48 hours before departure and a PCR test on arrival. All trips made before October 18 must be submitted by travelers four Tests (two PCR tests on the third and seventh day after arrival, one PCR test before departure and one PCR test on arrival). Travelers are to be carried in any case the full cost of PCR testing.
Travelers should note that these tests are not those that may be required in the host country. For example after CNA‘s report that a person traveling to South Korea has to undergo three more tests to be carried out there; so a total of five tests between home and host country.
Q6: If not VTL, which lane should be used to enter Singapore?
In the following, it is assumed that travelers who have been fully vaccinated come from the following countries:
- Malaysia
- India
- I am a Singapore citizen / PR (fully vaccinated) excluding PR-IPA holders – no lane entry permit required.
- I am the holder of a passport issued by MOM, including an IPA holder – No entry through lanes allowed.
- I am a short term business traveler – I am a MOM issued passport holder, including an IPA holder – No entry allowed via any lane.
- Indonesia
- I am a Singapore citizen / PR (fully vaccinated) excluding PR-IPA holders – no lane entry permit required.
- I am the holder of a passport issued by MOM, including an IPA holder – entry permitted through Work Card Holder General Lane (WPHL).
- I am a short-term business traveler – no entry allowed via all lanes.
- Thailand
- I am a Singapore citizen / PR (fully vaccinated) excluding PR-IPA holders – no lane entry permit required.
- I am the holder of a passport issued by MOM, including an IPA holder – entry permitted through Work Card Holder General Lane (WPHL).
- I am a short-term business traveler – no entry allowed via all lanes.
- Philippines
- I am a Singapore citizen / PR (fully vaccinated) excluding PR-IPA holders – no lane entry permit required.
- I am the holder of a passport issued by MOM, including an IPA holder – Entry Permitted Work Card Holder General Lane (WPHL).
- I am a short-term business traveler – no entry allowed via all lanes.
- Vietnam
- I am a Singapore citizen / PR (fully vaccinated) excluding PR-IPA holders – no lane entry permit required.
- I am the holder of a passport issued by MOM, including an IPA holder – Entry Permitted Work Card Holder General Lane (WPHL).
- No entry alloI am a short term business traveler – married across all lanes.
Travelers can use the SafeTravel checklist here for more listing details.
Image / Unsplash
