What is VTL and how does it work?
A Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) is a quarantine control measure imposed on travellers at authorised border crossings where there is an outbreak of infectious disease. VTLs are implemented to ensure that travellers crossing borders are healthy and may help prevent the rapid spread through international communities of deadly diseases.
At airports, a VTL operates as a single-file lane, either within the immigration hall when entering Singapore or at the arrival hall when exiting Singapore. Travellers are required to enter the VTL after declaring that they have not travelled to an area where there is a disease outbreak in the past 21 days. Such areas include but are not limited to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique.
At land checkpoints, travellers are required to walk through a special lane that takes their temperature with non-contact thermometers before clearing immigration. This measure deters them from visiting an infectious area before being cleared by medical officers.
How to get your VTL?
To get the VTL, you have to pass through a medical examination of your body temperature. If it is normal, then they allow you to enter Singapore. You have crossed the VTL after declaring that you have not travelled to an area where there is a disease outbreak in the past 21 days.
If you are entering Singapore with an e-Channel, there will be a VTL symbol on the screen before you make your immigration clearance. If you choose to enter the VTL, please complete this process prior to clearing immigration. You may then check-in at your airline counter for your flight and proceed with other travel arrangements like baggage collection or hotel accommodation.
The benefits of getting a VTL
By following these simple guidelines, you can help to prevent the rapid spread of deadly diseases and ensure that Singapore remains a safe and secure home for all. When you enter Singapore via the VTL, you will be accorded faster immigration clearance, as those who have travelled to VTL countries before will be quarantined first. The VTL also helps to speed up processing for other travellers as congestion is reduced at our checkpoints. You can also save time, reduce queuing and receive assistance faster compared to waiting in a regular queue.
Who should have a VTL?
All travellers crossing the VTL, whether entering Singapore via the air or land mode, are required to go through temperature screening and medical examination. All those who have travelled to African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya within the last 21 days should approach the Immigration Officer at the normal counter for their immigration clearance. They will be referred to a quarantine officer for temperature screening and further medical examination if necessary depending on your risk assessment.
How much does it cost to get a VTL?
There is no additional fee for getting a VTL. The fees and charges you pay will depend on the immigration class under which you are processed.
When do you need a visa to travel to Singapore?
VISA is not required for most nationalities from most countries to visit Singapore. However, if you intend to stay in Singapore for a period of more than 30 days and/or work during your stay, you should check entry requirements with the nearest Singapore Embassy. Certain nationalities require visas before travelling and some do not; please check with the nearest Singapore Embassy or High Commission for further information. For all other non-nationals, an Entry Permit (valid for 14 days) is given upon arrival at the airport as part of the immigration clearance process. Entry restrictions may apply depending on nationality and class of travel document used.
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