Does the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) apply to us SPRs?
Yes, if you are employed by a company. Please consult with your company’s HR on their stance on PCA and the exact procedures for application.
See more information about the PCA scheme here and the requirements and process here.
What are the travel requirements, conditions, restrictions?
You must travel in and out via the land borders (i.e. Woodlands/BSI and Tuas/KSAB).
You must strictly follow the date agreed to return to Singapore as specified in your PCA application. See here.
MOH imposes a 7-day quarantine on all vaccinated travellers from Singapore (10 days if unvaccinated). You may apply for home quarantine if you meet the criteria. See here.
You can be out of Singapore for up to 60 days per PCA application, and will have to be back in Singapore for another 90 days before you can submit another PCA application.
The total number of PCA travellers per day is subject to a daily quota (unknown number). Please make arrangements with your employer ahead of time.
What do I need to bring when travelling into Malaysia or into Singapore?
In addition to the advice given here for travelling into Malaysia or into Singapore, you must bring along your PCA approval letter.
Failure to do so would mean that you will be subject to prevailing quarantine requirements under the non-PCA route.
I am self-employed/unemployed. Am I allowed to apply for PCA?
No. The application for PCA requires the company to apply for you with a CorpPass account.
Do I need to quarantine after returning from Singapore to Malaysia?
Yes. Quarantine is now mandatory for 7 days if vaccinated (or 10 days if unvaccinated). See here.
You may apply for home quarantine if you meet the criteria. See here.
Do I need to do a swab test before returning to Malaysia?
Yes. See here.
Do I need to quarantine after returning from Malaysia to Singapore?
Yes. Due to increase in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, Singapore now imposes a 10-day SHN at SDFs, payable by the employer, regardless of vaccination status. The final cost arrangement between you and your employer will differ from company to company.
Do I need to do a swab test before going back to Singapore?
Yes. You must present a negative pre-departure PCR swab test result up to 48 hours before departing for Singapore. See here.
Additionally, you will undergo swab tests on arrival, and on the last day of your SHN.
Is it possible to stay in the same room for SHN with other people?
Yes, but only if the person is a family member (spouse/child who does not need to be under PCA). Please prepare proof of familial ties, such as a copy of the marriage/birth certificate.
Employees from the same company are no longer allowed to share rooms.
See the response from the Safe Travel team on costs and appeal details.
I would like to travel on a different date from the dates in the PCA application. Am I allowed to do so?
If there are unforeseen circumstances, appeals can be made by your employer to MTI.
Otherwise, you must travel on the dates that were mentioned; no amendments are allowed once the PCA application is approved. The PCA pre-payment for SHN and swab will be forfeited and not refunded. A new PCA application can only be done 90 days after your last entry date.
You may still exit to Malaysia and re-enter Singapore without the PCA, subject to the conditions and process as a non-PCA traveller.
What are the differences between returning via the PCA and non-PCA routes?
| PCA | Non-PCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom to enter/exit without approval | No; see above | Yes |
| Freedom to enter/exit on any date | No; see above | Yes |
| Mode of transport | Land only | Any |
| Allowed points of entry | BSI or KSAB | Any |
| RETURNING TO MALAYSIA | ||
| Pre-departure swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Arrival swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Quarantine / HSO duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| End of HSO swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Estimated total spend^ | up to RM1350 (hotel + 2 swabs in Malaysia) |
up to RM1350 (hotel + 2 swabs in Malaysia) |
| RETURNING TO SINGAPORE | ||
| Pre-departure swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Arrival swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Quarantine / SHN duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| SHN roommate restriction | Family members only* | Family members only |
| ART tests required | Yes | Yes |
| End of SHN swab test required | Yes | Yes |
| Estimated total spend^^ | up to $1800 + RM300 | up to $1800 + RM300 |
NOTES:
* Based on an email from the SafeTravel office found in the Telegram chat group on 25th February, colleagues of the same sex are no longer allowed to room together.
^ Estimated total spend assumes a solo vaccinated SPR traveller without home quarantine. See detailed costs for Malaysia.
^^ Estimated total spend assumes a solo vaccinated SPR traveller. See detailed costs for Singapore. For official information, please see here for accommodation and here for swab tests.