It’s been a while since Indonesians hit up Orchard Road and made a beeline for its ice-cream uncles‘ frosty treats and endless shopping thanks to the pandemic halting travel to our neighboring Lion City.
But good news – our travel drought will happily end soon as Singapore has just included Indonesia in its vaccinated travel lane (VTL) arrangement. This was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on a press release yesterday as the country slowly opens up to visitors from more and more countries by air.
Here’s how it’ll work and how we can sign up for the Singapore VTL for Indonesians.
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan shared a photograph of his meeting with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
Image source: Vivian Balakrishnan
The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore shared a picture today of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan meeting during Ms Retno’s transit stop in Singapore.
The two counterparts discussed the border reopening and the vaccinated travel lane from Jakarta to Singapore on 29th November. So far, this is a unilateral VTL that Singapore is offering to travellers from Jakarta to Singapore.
In the meantime, it’s worth noting that Indonesia remains closed for now to general travel for tourists from all but 19 countries excluding Singapore – so Singaporeans, by and large, can’t sunbathe again on Bali’s glistening beaches just yet.
Two daily flights will be assigned to travellers from Indonesia taking the VTL to Singapore, according to Channel NewsAsia. Indonesian short-term visitors and long-term pass holders may apply to travel to Singapore on these flights from 22nd November onwards.
The foreign ministers plan to continue discussions on expanding the vaccinated travel lane to Singapore.
Image credit: @theputrosantoso and Kenneth
To Indonesia’s credit, Singapore’s CAAS has assigned our country to Category II of the Singapore Ministry of Health’s Country/Region Classification for Border Measures. This means that we are among countries with similar or lower Covid-19 rates than Singapore, justifying a VTL with us.
Of course, it’s not just anyone who can visit Singapore through the VTL. You’ll have to have been in Indonesia or in Singapore for the last 14 days prior to departure for Singapore, test negative on a PCR or professionally-given ART Covid-19 test up to 2 days before flying, take a second PCR test upon airport arrival, and self-isolate until a negative result is reported.
Everyone travelling via the Singapore VTL for Indonesians must have a digital proof of vaccination recognized by Singapore’s immigration and health authorities. Accompanying children aged 12 and under are exempt from this. You’ll also need to fill in an SG Arrival Card online, and also apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass to enter Singapore before flying to Singapore to minimize delays.
For Indonesians who are Singapore Permanent Residents, different rules apply – see the CAAS press release for details. All enquiries about the Singapore VTL for Indonesians can be directed to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority or the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Jakarta.
After clearing all the paperwork and making it safely to Singapore – congratulations! You’ll be able to sample all the things to do and places to eat in the island state – and you’re also just in time for the famed Orchard Road Christmas lights.
Do note that Indonesian laws and regulations apply for Indonesian citizens returning home from abroad. Check the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore’s official website for the latest updates.
And while doing your research on the Singapore VTL for Indonesians online, only click on and submit your personal information to official government channels. There are VTL and Singapore Vaccinated Travel Pass-related scam websites collecting users’ information out there, so avoid them for the sake of a much-awaited, smooth journey to Singapore.
Cover image adapted from Indonesian Embassy Singapore and @chasingmidnight92
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