| โ ๏ธ Important Update |
| Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and LTPH can now use tele-ARTs as pre-departure tests when returning to Singapore from anywhere in the world. For the latest details, refer to this post. |
One of the biggest headaches when returning to Singapore is finding a place to do your pre-departure test. Airport test centres can be expensive, and finding a downtown option can be difficult if you don’t speak the language, or if online bookings aren’t accepted.ย
While remote tele-supervised ARTs by providers based in Singapore were previously not valid for travel into Singapore, the situation has now changed. The ICA has updated its PDT page for both VTL and non-VTL countries to state the following:
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The PDT can include:
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Note the part I’ve highlighted in red, which wasn’t there before. It means that travellers no longer need to hunt down an overseas testing facility as part of their pre-departure preparations!
Tele-ARTs now accepted for travel to Singapore
There are a few caveats to mention.
First, overseas tele-ARTs may only be administered to individuals physically present in the following countries:
| ๐ Eligible Countries for Tele-ART | |
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Do note that not all VTL countries are listed. There’s also no options within ASEAN.ย
Second,ย tele-ARTs can only be provided to Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders and work pass holders. Short-term visitors may not use these at the moment.
Third, this is a relatively new policy, so not all tele-ART providers are aware of it at the moment. Some are still stating that remote tele-ARTs are only for individuals currently in Singapore, but I expect that to be cleared up in the next week.ย
Fourth, travellers to Singapore may only utilise tele-medicine providers based in Singapore. Now, I’m aware VTL travellers from Malaysia to Singapore have been using Malaysia-based tele-medicine provider CLEA for a long time without any issues. I can’t explain the discrepancy, really. Perhaps it’s a by right, by left thing.ย
Singapore’s pre-departure test requirement
As a reminder, travellers to Singapore are required to present a negative pre-departure ART/PCR test taken within 2 days of their flight to Singapore. For example, if your flight to Singapore is at 8 p.m on 19 February, you may take your test anytime from 12.01 a.m on 17 February onwards.
This must be professionally administered, although remotely-supervised self-swabs meet this criteria.ย
The test requirement applies to both VTL and non-VTL passengers, and those aged 2 and below are exempt from the requirement.ย
Which providers offer tele-ART services?
Travellers to Singapore are now permitted to use remotely-supervised tele-ARTs as their pre-departure test, provided the telemedicine provider is based in Singapore. Providers include:
| ๐น Overseas Tele-ARTs | ||
| Provider | Operating Hours | ๐ Price* |
| MyCLNQ | 24 hours | S$12 |
| Hidoc | 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m (weekdays only) |
S$12 |
| Minmed | 9 a.m to 9 p.mย (weekdays only) |
S$12 |
| Kingston Medical | 24 hours | S$12 (+S$13 from 6 p.m to 9 a.m) |
| DoctorAnywhere | 8 a.m to 10 p.m | S$12.84 |
| Intemedical | 8 a.m to 11 p.m | S$15 |
| Swab Station | 8 a.m to 5 p.m | S$25 |
| BCH-ART | 8 a.m to 9 p.m | S$25 |
| Healthway Medical | 9 a.m to 9 p.m (9 a.m to 5 p.m on weekend/ PH) |
S$25 |
| Speedoc | 8 a.m to 8 p.m | S$26.75 |
| RMDY Clinic | 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m | S$26.80 |
| Unihealth | 7.30 a.m to 12 a.m | S$29 (+S$20-31 for after hours, weekend and PH) |
| Swab N Go | 10 a.m to 7 p.m | S$30 |
| Raffles Connect | 24 hours | S$30 |
| Belief Family Clinic | 24 hours | S$30 (+S$10-30 for after hours, weekend and PH) |
| *Must provide your own HSA-approved ART kit, which adds ~S$5 to the total price |
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Additional options can be found in the MOH’s list here.ย
Travellers will need to provide their own HSA-approved ART kit, which adds around S$5 per person.ย
As mentioned earlier, the move to allow overseas tele-ARTs is fairly nascent, and not all providers offer it just yet. Here’s the details of a few of the providers who are currently offering tele-ARTs for pre-departure testing to Singapore.
Raffles Connect
Travellers can book a virtually-supervised ART via the Raffles Connect app (Android | iOS), and use it as a pre-departure test for travel to Singapore.ย
Overseas virtually-supervised ARTs are priced at S$30 per person, although there’s also an option to purchase both an outbound and inbound test together for S$50 (usual price: S$53).ย
| Type | Price |
| Virtually-Supervised ART (for travelย fromย Singapore) |
S$23 |
| Overseas Virtually-Supervised ART (for travelย toย Singapore) |
S$30 |
| Two-Way Virtually-Supervised ART (1x from Singapore, 1x to Singapore) |
S$50 |
To book a test, download the Raffles Connect app, register for an account and tap “Book a Test”.
On the top of the next screen, set your location as “Singapore” (even if you’re currently overseas; it’s the only way to get the options to show), then tap on “Overseas virtually-supervised antigen rapid test (with notarized travel certificate)”.
You’ll be prompted to select a date and time slot. Appointments can be booked around the clock, and all appointments are in the overseas country’s time zone.ย
Once scheduled, you’ll need to watch your phone during your scheduled 30-minute block, since the supervisor is the one who initiates the call (and not the other way round like with most tele-ART apps).
Belief Family Clinic
Belief Family Clinic states that they can conduct overseas ARTs for travellers entering Singapore at S$30 per person.ย
This service is available 24 hours a day, though surcharges apply for weekday sessions from 6 p.m to 9 a.m, and weekends/public holidays.ย
- Weekday (Singapore Time)
6pm – 9pm: $10
9pm – 12mn: $15
12mn – 9am: $30 - Weekend/PH (Singapore Time)
9am – 9pm : $10
9pm – 12mn: $15
12mn – 9am: $30
Swabs will be supervised over Zoom.
MyCLNQ
MyCLNQ offers overseas tele-ARTs for S$20 per person, available from 8 a.m to 10 p.m Singapore time (GMT+8).ย
Bookings can be made via the MyCLNQ app (Android | iOS).
SwabNGo
SwabNGo offeres overseas tele-ARTs for S$30 per person,ย available daily from 10 a.m to 7 p.m Singapore time (GMT+8).ย
SwabNGo does not have an app, so supervision will be done over a virtual platform like Zoom.
What about pre-departure testing?
The following VTL countries currently accept ARTs as pre-departure tests.ย
- Australia
- Canada (will eliminate PDTs from 1 April)
- Fiji
- Malaysia (VTL-Land only)
- Philippines
- Netherlands
- United States
You can use any of the Singapore-based tele-ART providers to satisfy the pre-departure test requirement. For more details and a couple of reviews, refer to the post below
Conclusion
Tele-supervised ARTs are now valid for travellers entering/returning to Singapore, which is fantastic news. Professionally-supervised ARTs can be surprisingly expensive in some countries, and even if the cost is low, you still need to take time off your trip to get it settled.
Has anyone tried a overseas virtually-supervised ART yet?
(HT: Yeo Lu Yan)
Absolutely terrible that an app is required for this service (phone storage, privacy issues, phone blocked during the test, etc. etc.).
Kingston Medical can do it with a webform and a Zoom link (no, I don’t work for them, just someone arriving via VTL that chose them because of the ease of booking on the web and doing the test via a tool I use every day).
Do you mean Kingston can do it for arrivals to Singapore?
This Raffles Medical app sounds like an exercise in sloppiness.
You mentioned Kingston Medical, are you saying the immigrations at Singapore Airport allow you to show Kingston’s online supervised ART test results as a entry into Singapore via VTL? Or are you referring to the on-arrival testings done in Singapore within 24 hours upon arrival into Singapore via VTL (or the previous Day 3/7 testings which has been scrapped)?
And when something is created on an app, you may find that the timings presented may not be Singapore local time, but actually the time of the location at which you book the appointment (eg. UK time if youโre in UK, US time if in USA, etc.)
I got caught with such timezone difference in the DA app, and was surprised when they sent me a reminder for a time that I had supposedly booked but turned out to be wasnโt what I had expected.
Same experience. I thought I booked 6.30am SGT but they said it reflected as 3.30am in their system and they cancelled my appointment due to time difference in Australia.
How long will the overseas call last?? Roaming rates on mobiles are extortionate! I hope they will clarify this.
Itโs not a call ๐ you only need internet connection.
Only Australia, United States, India and EU member countries? Does that mean UK is also not applicable?
Sadly I think that is the case………I also need one as I’m fly back from the UK.
Really hope this is just a typo. To be absolutely clear, they should just list all valid countries instead of just using “EU”.
I have sent Raffles a message to verify. Has anyone else checked whether you can do tele ART from UK with Raffles?
You can try Belief Family Clinic. I just checked and they said they do for VTL flights. I haven’t done any test with them yet but my friends said they are excellent and very responsive in terms of replies and release of documents. The best thing is no need to download app. Maybe mile lion should do a review of Belief teleART๐ค
I will be keen to know what Raffles Medical advises about UK.
Return travel from the UK is accepted from Raffles Connect
Iโm looking to do a test in the morning, are the results / certificates sent immediately/ within an hour?
Iโm assuming the times are all in SGT even if youโre overseas?
all times in SGT, as mentioned in the article.
Have they changed this? The latest info for Overseas Virtually-Supervised ART on the Raffles Medical app reads: “Please note that the appointment booked will be based on your country’s time zone.”
yup i think they did. updated the post.
Do you know how this will work? Assuming I am looking at the app in SG booking before I depart, the app doesn’t ask me to select where I will be when the test is conducted. If I choose e.g. 1pm, they will call me at 1pm (e.g. germany time) when I get there??
Latest: Appt slot will be in the timezone, wherever the user is located at time of booking. If you are in SG booking for Oversea TeleART in UK, you are booking in SGT. If you are in LDN booking for Oversea TeleART, you are booking in GMT.
Above is correct for Raffles Connect.
Hi Aaron,
just to clarify that โYouโll be prompted to select a date and time slot. Appointments can be booked around the clock, and all appointments are in the overseas countryโs time zone.โ This is the raffles connect one.
understand that you mentioned the time slots are based on SGT, but this sentence might be a little ambigiuous still due to the part on โoverseas countryโs time zoneโ but grateful for the clarification if this is only for the raffles app?
๏ปฟLooking forward to use tele supervised ART service, saves people all the pain and hassle while overseas.
No, I’ve updated the article already. It’s overseas time zone
Just sharing my input here because I was also quite confused with the time slots.
I just booked a 2-way virtually-supervised antigen rapid test.
On their booking confirmation to me, the date and times of both my appointments seem to be in +08:00 (Singapore) time zone.
Not sure if it is the same way with the 1-way overseas virtually supervised ART.
The option for “notarised travel certificate” – do they email you the certificate with the QR code, or do you have to separately go to the notarise website to get it?
Can’t seem to make payment, keeps saying failed to validate whatever that means
I recently used Azova’s At Home Video service to get a supervised ART for travel from Australia to Singapore.
Not sure why the Singapore providers are so reluctant to provide the pre-arrival tele-ARTfor travelers to Singapore. In some countries getting an ART result for travel is quite difficult.
i’m sure they’d love the business. it’s probably a licensing thing.
Why is there even a location requirement? It is virtual test right? Totally illogical. What is the difference between testing in Germany vs Iceland? Except Germany is valid and Iceland isn’t. Crazy…
It might be licensing, e.g. their license only permits them to practice tele medicine in certain countreis
Based on ICA website (as of today), it seems like can use telemed for ART for return from any country!
It says for travel to Singapore:
PDT can include a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR test) at an internationally accredited or recognised lab/clinic/medical facility, or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) administered by a trained professional, or self-administered and remotely supervised by an ART provider in Singapore providing such services.
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist
good spot! but most of the tele-art providers still state that their tests are only valid for people in singapore. maybe we’ll see some updates in the next few days.
Yup! Few days ago I checked with Belief teleART was told that inbound TeleART not allowed. Today they messaged me and said there’s a new policy that allow them to do for vtl(air) countries.
Does the ART kit need to be certified for use in Singapore, or will any do?
It needs to be certified for use in Singapore, they will ask for the serial number and brand of the ART kit.
The simpler the rules, the more confusing it becomes. LOL!
I was checking the pre departure requirements for travel back to Singapore on the ICA website yesterday and it did mentioned remotely supervised ART test can be an option besides the clinic tested PCR and supervised trained AKT at oversea centre. But did not mentioned Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.
Did call up one of the test centre in Singapore that provide remote supervised ART test, and was advised it is better to check if the airline flying back to Singapore allowed. So better to check with the airline before flying off if your return trip is same airline.
Cambodia is not in the list of approved countries in the article. A rookie mistake?
None of the asean countries are. No idea why
Noticed the same for Thailand despite being VTL.
Can Aaron share more on the location for conducting supervised ATK tests in Bangkok 2 days prior returning to SG?
https://milelion.com/2022/02/13/thailand-test-go-day-5-vtl-pre-departure-testing-options/
thanks Milelion for the info and for looking out for updates ๐
no problem! this roll out has been…messy to say the least.
I was wondering which of these would work for a Singaporean coming back from the UK
all options will work just fine.
Am traveling to the USA. Does that mean I can opt for Raffles Connect’s 2 way service to fulfill the pre-departure testing requirements? Means I don’t need to head down to a testing center in Singapore, and I don’t need to hunt for a testing service in the US before departure?
Seems like there is varying feedback on the different apps. Any idea which is most hassle free?
yup. it’s exactly what you said.
I could not find the article regarding virtually administered art tests before leaving Australia on SIA. Are they aware that it can be done please? Can someone please confirm. Thanks
Is tele-ART valid for HK to Singapore?
No
Thanks.
Tried supervised ART in Singapore via mDoc, mHealthBank, not bad, download app, book on line, no need to go out to see Dr , easy and simple