The Government of Singapore announced it would restore and expand the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) quotas.
Key Changes
- A new VTL with Hong Kong and the previously deferred VTLs with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will launch. Applications for travel from these four countries/regions will open on February 22, 2022, for the first VTL flights on February 25, 2022.
- The government plans to progressively launch VTLs with more destinations, including Israel and the Philippines in early March.
- Bi-directional quarantine-free sea travel between Singapore and Indonesia will resume with the launch of a VTL (Sea) from Bintan and Batam.
- VTL travelers will no longer need to undergo a seven-day self-supervised ART testing regime after arrival.
In all, Singapore’s current roster of VTLs includes Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel (from March 4, 2022), Italy, Malaysia, The Maldives, The Netherlands, Philippines (from March 4, 2022), Qatar (from February 25, 2022), Saudi Arabia (from February 25, 2022), Spain, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand (from March 4, 2022), Turkey, The United Arab Emirates (from February 25, 2022), the United Kingdom, the United States.
Erickson Insights
The announcement resumes Singapore’s gradual reopening plans following a nearly three-month pause.
The VTL allows fully vaccinated with approved vaccines to travel quarantine-free. VTL travelers must hold an accepted proof of vaccination and meet the travel history and designated VTL flight requirements.
The Government of Singapore frequently updates guidance, and travelers should stay informed of any changes via the website.