What It's Like Returning to Singapore Under the Work Pass Holder General Lane (WPHL)
Photo by Nathaniel Yeo on Unsplash
Last month, we shared a post on how to best plan for your team’s overseas travel, following the announcement from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that it was resuming entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents in a safe and calibrated manner.
With a few of our team members planning travel home to see their families abroad under the reopened Work Pass Holder General Lane (WPHL), we thought we’d provide a first hand update from our Senior Communications & Marketing Director Jess Slevin, currently serving her SHN, with some lessons learned and recommendations for anyone considering planning their own trip...
How did the re-entry application go?
I feel very lucky to have had our experienced team at Accela managing the process of my re-entry approval, which went quite smoothly. At the time of my travel, applications could be submitted between 3 to 30 days ahead of arrival back in Singapore, so the team was able to coordinate with my husband’s HR team over Zoom to submit our applications together before we left Singapore to ensure we would both get the same date for re-entry.
While there were no slots to return from the US when the team first attempted the application, our HR teams attempted multiple times that day, and more were added and we were able to confirm our preferred dates by midday on the first day we tried applying. Having confirmed re-entry approval before leaving the country definitely eased some of our concerns about getting stuck abroad after so many horror stories we had heard!
What was the process like leaving Singapore?
To start with the obvious, travelling for the first time since February 2020 felt absolutely surreal. Like many people I know in Singapore, I used to travel nearly every weekend and the whole process was second nature to me. I felt like I did the first time I travelled alone as an adult - needing help and reassurance every step of the way with what to do and how.
I’d heard mixed reviews about how early to get to the airport for document checks (SQ recommended 2.5 hours before the flight), so we decided to just head out super early to be safe. I’d checked over all of the requirements both for Singapore and the US but still felt extremely anxious about something being wrong with the pre-departure test or one of the other printed documents. Luckily the check-in process was extremely easy and fast - the airport was nearly empty, and we only waited in line a few minutes before an additional five minutes or so of document checks. Needless to say, we spent way more hours in the airport lounge than anticipated - but better safe than sorry!
Jess reunited with friends and family in the USA, which included meeting up with friends in restaurants and bars in New York.
What was the testing process like for entry into the US and for return to Singapore?
The US only required ART tests for the pre-departure (rather than PCR), so I was able to find an approved clinic right near my apartment in Singapore and the whole process was super quick and easy - receiving test results within 15 minutes.
The pre-departure test requirements to return back to Singapore actually changed from 72-hours pre-departure to 48-hours pre-departure while I was travelling, so I had to take a PCR test in New York in that window of time. While there were plenty of rapid PCR tests available, we needed to ensure the provider was approved based on the MOH accreditation requirements. With the change being so new, there was a bit of confusion on the timing (48 hours prior to time of the departing flight vs. 48 hours prior to the day of the departing flight), so it took a bit more research and confirming with the airline, but everything worked out in the end.
I was absolutely dreading the PCR test and have heard nothing but terrible things about them, but it actually wasn’t that bad! Another PCR was required on arrival at Changi (I’d recommend pre-paying for that and reserving it online through the Safe Travel Concierge - more on that later), which was also quick and painless.
Depending on the quarantine requirements by country, more self-testing is required during SHN and one final PCR before you’re released. With the SHN for category IV countries reduced from 14 to 10 days (which happened on day 7 for me), that meant an at-home ART on day 3 and day 7, and then the final PCR on day 10. The home testing was also quick and easy, you just need to upload your results online on the days required.
Jess and her husband were given ART kits to test themselves during their quarantine in Singapore.
What was the experience like arriving back at Changi upon return?
Taking the direct flight from JFK meant landing at Changi around 4AM, so it was quite eerie and quiet at the airport getting off the plane. Everyone essentially walks together in a single file (socially distanced!) line from the plane to Immigration, where we present all the documents that are required. While most documents were checked upon departure at JFK, everything was checked again by ICA before we were able to enter and proceed to collect our checked bags.
At immigration, you’re given a color-coded sticker that will dictate which lines to proceed to for the rest of the exit process (we never quite figured out what they were for, but it seemed possibly related to Visa status and/or hotel assignments for SHN). After collecting bags and clearing customs, the next step is to line up for the arrival PCR test. This seemed to be the longest part of the process, and we had our documents and payment status checked several times along the way before proceeding to the tests. For anyone planning on returning in this current climate, I would definitely recommend signing up and completing the Safe Travel Concierge tool as it helps to ensure you’ve prepared all of your paperwork in advance - including the health declaration form which must be completed within 72 hours of your arrival. The health declaration and PCR test payment are able to be shown digitally, the rest of the documents do need to be printed out in hard copies (and boarding passes from the flight we had arrived on were also required along the way).
There was a bit of a hiccup with transportation arrangements as my husband and I opted for the suite upgrade, but his name wasn’t attached to the digital notification the officers at the airport received (even though we had the printed hotel booking and transfer booking with both of our names), but other than that everything was smooth enough. From stepping off the plane to getting into our car to the quarantine hotel, it was about an hour and a half total.
Jess and her husband lucked out with this view from their quarantine suite, and it was made even better by bringing their own French press and coffee.
How has the SHN been going?
Honestly, not so bad! The extra splurge for the suite was extremely worth it for us, considering we’re both working and taking calls - so having a door to close in between us has been key. We got lucky with a balcony, so having the opportunity to get some fresh air has definitely helped. If you are considering upgrading to a suite, I’d suggest putting in your request as soon as you have your dates confirmed - as many of the hotels we tried were fully booked by the time we reached out. The booking process requires personally reaching out to each hotel vs. just booking online as you normally would for accommodations, so take that into account when you’re planning.
Work definitely makes the time go by faster, the weekend dragged a bit - but it was a great opportunity to catch up on all of my regular TV shows I missed while I was away!
The hotel has all of the basic amenities you could need, but there are little easy things you can do to make yourself more comfortable. A few recommendations I’d consider…
Bring your own silverware and plates/bowls - definitely improves the quality of each meal!
Consider ordering in to support local restaurants to supplement the provided food (check out our list of recommendations from Accela clients here!). The assigned meals are from an outside caterer - so regardless of the hotel you’re in, they likely won’t be great. You can decline the meals, however it’s worth noting that refunds won’t be given based on food not taken - so consider your budget and come up with a plan that works best for you.
Bring a yoga mat/workout equipment (we had an opportunity to rent it via Happy SHN but we just sent ours over from home).
Bring a coffee maker if you’re used to a cup in the morning and don’t want instant coffee.
It was a little annoying that the category requirements changed partway through our stay, meaning otherwise we could have completed our SHN at home instead of a hotel, but we still can get out after 10 days and the updates give us hope for future travel.
Jess and her husband brought their own cutlery and it made the quarantine meals that much more enjoyable.
Would you go through it all again?
I absolutely would, no question. Before my trip, this was the longest I’ve ever been separated from my family and I would have done anything to see them. The time I got to spend with old friends (including some new babies who were born since I’d been back) and family was invaluable, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.
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The Accela work pass processing team has helped countless clients enter Singapore smoothly, from pre-departure planning to entry application to post-arrival follow-up. Drop us a line at [email protected] to schedule a call.