Singapore is one of the world’s busiest ports1, and clearance for visiting yachts follows a defined sequence. Most of the paperwork is done before arrival, through MPA’s digitalPORT@SG platform.2
Before you arrive
Notify the Port Master, file immigration applications and the SG Arrival Card, then declare arrival to MPA, mostly through digitalPORT@SG.
Notify the Port Master
For passenger vessels and vessels of 300 GT or more, the owner, agent or master must notify the Port Master at least 12 hours before arrival, or on departure if coming from a port less than 12 hours’ steaming away.3
Immigration applications
Foreign sea crew and pleasure craft owners submit arrival and departure immigration clearance, crew sign-on and sign-off, and extensions of stay to ICA through digitalPORT@SG.2 Owners may deal with ICA directly or appoint an authorised agent. Owners who transact directly are asked for a security deposit.1
SG Arrival Card
ICA requires travellers to submit the SG Arrival Card with electronic health declaration within three days before arrival, including the day of arrival.4 Raffles Marina asks for it to be submitted for all disembarking crew and passengers before arrival.5
Arrival declaration
A declaration must be made to MPA through digitalPORT@SG within 24 hours of the vessel’s arrival.3
Where clearance happens
CIQ clearance for pleasure craft happens mainly at ONE°15 Marina and Raffles Marina, with on-board clearance at designated anchorages.
For pleasure craft, customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) clearance is carried out mainly at designated marinas: ONE°15 Marina and Raffles Marina.1
- ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove
- CIQ facility with 24/7 clearance for pleasure craft and yachts; the marina calls it Singapore’s first 24/7 marina CIQ.6
- Raffles Marina
- Gazetted CIQP marina; CIQP operates daily, including public holidays, from 09:00 to 17:00.5
On arrival day. At Raffles Marina, the yacht must call the Dockmaster on VHF 77, 30 minutes before arrival and berth at the CIQP berth. No one embarks or disembarks, and no goods are loaded or unloaded, until clearance is complete.5
Pilotage and AIS
Vessels under 300 GT generally have a blanket pilotage exemption; larger vessels depend on conditions. AIS is required before entering Singapore waters.
In MPA’s pilotage districts, vessels under 300 GT generally have a blanket pilotage exemption unless the Port Master specifies otherwise. For larger vessels, exemption depends on conditions such as the master completing an MPA pilotage exemption course.9 Raffles Marina states that vessels over 300 GRT must engage a Singapore pilot to enter the port and the marina.5
Raffles Marina also notes that vessels must be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) before entering Singapore waters.5
Departure
Outbound clearance follows the same route. At Raffles Marina, everyone departing must be on board and the yacht leaves straight afterwards.
Outbound clearance follows the same route. At Raffles Marina, everyone departing must be on board for clearance, and the yacht must leave immediately afterwards.5
How Go Ocean helps. Go Ocean can prepare the submissions, book clearance with the marina and coordinate any technical work so it begins as soon as the yacht is cleared.
Industry bodies
Who’s who ashore
The organisations a visiting yacht is most likely to deal with, directly or through its agent.
Port authority
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Vessel arrival and departure, pilotage and the port notices that apply to every yacht in Singapore waters.
mpa.gov.sg
Industry association
Singapore Boating Industry Association
The national voice of the recreational and leisure marine sector, representing builders, dealers, marinas, charter operators and service companies.
Member directoryBerthing
The four superyacht marinas
ONE°15 Sentosa Cove, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, Marina at Keppel Bay and Raffles Marina, each with its own clearance arrangements.
Compare marinas
Sources & checks
- ICA & MPA — Response on CIQ arrangements for pleasure craft (21 Jan 2026). www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/response-to--bring-down-ciq-co…
- ICA — Clearance procedure for sea crew / pleasure craft owners. www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/at-our-checkpoints/sea_crew_info
- MPA — Vessels arriving in Singapore. www.mpa.gov.sg/port-marine-ops/arrivals-and-departures/vessels-arriving-in-singapore
- ICA — SG Arrival Card with electronic health declaration. www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/sg-arrival-card
- Raffles Marina — Yacht arrival & clearance (CIQP). www.rafflesmarina.com.sg/marina/group-1/yacht-arrival-clearances.html
- ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove — Marina (fact sheet, CIQ, contacts). one15marina.com/sentosa-cove/marina/
- Republic of Singapore Yacht Club — Marina. rsyc.org.sg/marina/
- MPA Port Marine Circular No. 15 of 2002 — Immigration clearance for foreign yachts and pleasure craft. www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/details/immigration-clearance-for-foreign-yachts-and-pleasure-craft
- MPA — Pilotage exemption: general information. www.mpa.gov.sg/port-marine-ops/marine-services/pilotage-and-towage/pilotage-exemption/gene…
Checked against the sources above in September 2026. Rules, hours and facilities change; confirm with the authority or marina before you sail.