Entering Singapore with EU certificate
Oct 13, 2021, 10:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Entering Singapore with EU certificate
Fellow FTers,
Trying to take advantage to the newly-created VTL, I applied for entry with my EU vaccination certificate which is supposed to be recognized for the travel lane.
However, it only contains one QR code that states the number of shots, the kind of vaccine used and the last injection date.
Singapore VTL application system requires 1 QR code per shot.
Did anyone manage to enter Singapore, be it with the former or newer rules, with the EU vaccination certificate?
As far as I know, stamped papers certificates that we get from the vaccination centers are considered worthless so I'm at a loss about the actual way to enter from Europe since the only officially recognized document is not enough.
Cheers,
maalloc
Summary of the current VTP application procedure for EU Travelers
When asked to upload your certificate don't upload the whole A4 page. The VTP platform just expects a QR code so take a screenshot of it and upload it as-is.
When asked to upload 2 certificates and you only have one because you only have your EU vaccination certificate. You can't use the online system and need to submit your application by the contact form. See post #9 below for details.
If you have a given name that doesn't appear on your vaccination certificate: you have to contact the local authorities responsible for VTP applications. Contact form here.
Trying to take advantage to the newly-created VTL, I applied for entry with my EU vaccination certificate which is supposed to be recognized for the travel lane.
However, it only contains one QR code that states the number of shots, the kind of vaccine used and the last injection date.
Singapore VTL application system requires 1 QR code per shot.
Did anyone manage to enter Singapore, be it with the former or newer rules, with the EU vaccination certificate?
As far as I know, stamped papers certificates that we get from the vaccination centers are considered worthless so I'm at a loss about the actual way to enter from Europe since the only officially recognized document is not enough.
Cheers,
maalloc
Summary of the current VTP application procedure for EU Travelers
When asked to upload your certificate don't upload the whole A4 page. The VTP platform just expects a QR code so take a screenshot of it and upload it as-is.
When asked to upload 2 certificates and you only have one because you only have your EU vaccination certificate. You can't use the online system and need to submit your application by the contact form. See post #9 below for details.
If you have a given name that doesn't appear on your vaccination certificate: you have to contact the local authorities responsible for VTP applications. Contact form here.
Last edited by maalloc; Oct 14, 2021 at 4:46 am
Oct 13, 2021, 3:00 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,062
You are not the first to run into this problem: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33637301-post2.html
That person says they're on it: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33641980-post279.html
That person says they're on it: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33641980-post279.html
Oct 14, 2021, 1:52 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Hi @maalloc I'll keep you updated on this thread once I have some news from Italian embassy / foreign affairs minister office.
Good to know I'm not the only one with this problem
Good to know I'm not the only one with this problem
As we speak, various embassies in Singapore must be writing up a template response and bracing for a stream of mail
Oct 14, 2021, 2:08 am
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Just got an answer from the Singapore Embassy in France.
They are fully aware of the problem. They are awaiting instructions from Singapore and are expecting more info "start of next week".
I'll keep you posted below, and update the first post for easier reading to other travelers.
They are fully aware of the problem. They are awaiting instructions from Singapore and are expecting more info "start of next week".
I'll keep you posted below, and update the first post for easier reading to other travelers.
Oct 14, 2021, 2:23 am
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Singapore's amazing efficiency shows even at their representative offices. I honestly never had faster and more efficient contacts with an embassy -- even with France's own foreign affairs offices. After my initial contact, they wrote to me 4x (!) today to keep me posted live of the requirement and processes evolution.
For EU travellers to Asia, there is also the lingering issue of middle names. In France, for instance, they don't appear on the vaccination certificate (not sure about other EU countries) even though the template says they do, which is as bad as it can get.
The embassy's response about this topic is not great, albeit direct: you got to plead your case to the VTP Helpline by contacting them directly there https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/contact-us.
For EU travellers to Asia, there is also the lingering issue of middle names. In France, for instance, they don't appear on the vaccination certificate (not sure about other EU countries) even though the template says they do, which is as bad as it can get.
The embassy's response about this topic is not great, albeit direct: you got to plead your case to the VTP Helpline by contacting them directly there https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/contact-us.
Last edited by maalloc; Oct 14, 2021 at 5:42 am
Oct 14, 2021, 3:31 am
#8
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,062
My (Netherlands) code has my middle name in it.
Oct 14, 2021, 4:45 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
That was fast. Singapore decided today to accept single-QR-Code Certificates.
Because the system can't be updated immediately, all inquiries must be directed tohttps://go.gov.sg/sto-enquiry
Explain you can't use the online plateform because you only have one QR Code and provide:
- Your name
- Passport # and expiration date
- Birthdate
- Sex
- Cell phone number
- Email address
- Self-isolation place
- Planned date of arrival
Join the copy of your EU vaccination certificate as an attachment
Because the system can't be updated immediately, all inquiries must be directed tohttps://go.gov.sg/sto-enquiry
Explain you can't use the online plateform because you only have one QR Code and provide:
- Your name
- Passport # and expiration date
- Birthdate
- Sex
- Cell phone number
- Email address
- Self-isolation place
- Planned date of arrival
Join the copy of your EU vaccination certificate as an attachment
Last edited by maalloc; Oct 14, 2021 at 5:40 am
Oct 23, 2021, 8:36 am
#12
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Update: just got another boilerplate message today, asking me to re-send all the information I sent in my first message 9 days ago.
ICA looks overwhelmed, don't trust their "We'll reply within 72h" and plan accordingly.
ICA looks overwhelmed, don't trust their "We'll reply within 72h" and plan accordingly.
Oct 26, 2021, 5:14 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,420
Final update: finally got the VTP from ICA 48h before boarding.
That was quite a wait. Had my hotel been refundable, I'd probably have given up and canceled the trip a week ago. Takeaway for EU travelers: do anticipate your VTP and contact ICA by the online form early.
That was quite a wait. Had my hotel been refundable, I'd probably have given up and canceled the trip a week ago. Takeaway for EU travelers: do anticipate your VTP and contact ICA by the online form early.
Oct 27, 2021, 8:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
They now have a PDF document showing acceptable as well as non-acceptable forms of vaccine proof as well as examples.
https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/p...-singapore.pdf