Have a question – scroll through the list of frequently asked questions but if you don’t find your answer, feel free to give us a call or drop us a note.
A Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test is applicable for travelers who will be travelling from Singapore to a destination country that has a mandatory requirement to produce a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry into the country. There are three types of PDT for COVID-19- PCR Nasal/nasopharyngeal swab, Antigen Rapid nasal swab test (ART or lateral flow test) and Saliva PCR.
No, you need to meet specific requirements prior to booking an appointment for Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test. See next questions for further details. You can always call IMC and speak to our support staff. We can advise accordingly.
Before being able to book an appointment at one of our clinics, please
- Check testing cut-off times & the type of test required for your destination country (https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg) as well as any transit countries (if transiting to another country as they may require further testing).
- Book your flight to your destination country/countries
After you have done the Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR (both swab and saliva ) test at our clinic, the result is provided no later than 48 hours from the time of test taking. There is also option of doing an EXPRESS PDT COVID-19 test for both swab and saliva COVID-19 which results are reported 4-6hours from time of sample reaching lab for processing. The ART nasal swab takes 15minutes from time of taking swab to knowing the result (this is an in-clinic test)
- A Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test or Polymerase Chain Reaction Test, is used to detect coronavirus from a nasopharyngeal (nasal secretions) also known as a nasal swab. The COVID-19 (PCR) test to detect coronavirus can also be performed obtaining a saliva sample from the throat.
Yes, all 4 IMC clinics (IMC Camden, Children's, Jelita and Katong) offer all 3 types of Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test. Nasal PCR swab, Rapid Antigen swab (ART), and Saliva PCR.
Everybody can take the test, children and adults. If you have contra-indications to nasal swabbing please inform the staff who may assist you with undertaking a different testing method if accepted by your destination countries requirements. There is no minimum age limit.
Please note:
- Owing to our accredited laboratory partner IMC carries out nasal-pharyngeal (not oral-pharyngeal) Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Tests and Saliva PCR test.
Yes, each family member needs to submit the required documents (individual copy of passport & NRIC/FIN cards) on our website link.
No, the Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test is done as a Nurse Only appointment and you don’t need to have a doctor’s appointment. If you request to see a doctor, additional normal consultation charges apply.
Yes, you need to register as a new patient either at the reception or online (https://www.imc-healthcare.com/services/forms/registration/) prior to the appointment. Once registered, you can proceed to do the Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test as a Nurse Only appointment.
You need to make an appointment that fits your required testing window which is in line with your destination country’s requirement. Owing to clinic operating hours and to meet the collection times of samples transported to the laboratory, we can offer Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing during the following operation hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5.00 pm (last appointment)
Saturday- 8.30am- 12.30pm (last appointment)
Please note that IMC is closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. The earliest turnaround time of your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test result done on a Friday afternoon, is on Saturday afternoon/early evening, however if your test is inconclusive the lab may require additional time to process your sample and run further testing.
Please refer to www.imc-healthcare.com/pre-departure-covid-19-pcr-test for easy reference.
Please prepare the following information prior to booking an appointment
- Cut off time for your testing (defined by your airline/destination country)
- NRIC/FIN and Passport number (used on your travel itinerary)
- Current Singapore address
- Contact email address which your e-cert and result will be sent to
- Contact telephone number
When you book the appointment, you receive an email with a link to our webpage to submit your ‘Patient Agreement Form’ and additional required information.
The total cost (test and Nurse Only appointment) of the Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing may be found on our website. The cost of the test is borne by you and paid in full at the time of your appointment.
The cost of the Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test is borne by you and paid in full at the time of your appointment. IMC cannot accept payment by direct billing service. You receive an invoice to submit your claim directly with your insurance provider.
Please bring with you;
- Original NRIC/FIN and Passport (both must be in-date and valid for travel)
IMC staff will inform you of your test result.
If your Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test result is negative: IMC notifies you via the email address you provided. You receive a ‘Memo on COVID-19 real time RT-PCR (e-cert) and your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR laboratory Test result.
If your Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test result is positive: A doctor from the clinic contacts you to make the necessary arrangements. You are not permitted to travel.
The Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test result is provided no later than 48 hours from the time of test taking. The ART test result after 15 minutes.
If you are feeling unwell, with fever, cough or cold symptoms it may not be possible to travel. Please contact the clinic for review by a doctor.
Please call the clinic for the next available appointment at the clinic. Travelers who miss the cut-off test timing stipulated by your destination country will may not be able to obtain a test result in time for their flight, however our clinic staff will advise you accordingly and may offer that you do an EXPRESS PDT PCR (result reported 4-6hours after reaching lab)
IMC notifies you via the email address you provided of your Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test result. You receive a ‘Memo on COVID-19 real time RT-PCR swab test’ (e-cert) and your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test results. The test result is provided no later than 48 hours from the time of test taking.
Your Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test result may result as inconclusive. In that case the result may take longer then planed as the laboratory need more time to process the swab or the test need to be redone. If your in-clinic ART is inconclusive, the nurses will run a second test to determine result. If 2nd ART is positive, you will be advised to take a PCR swab and you may not be able to travel. IMC is not liable for any such delays beyond our control.
Call or email your IMC clinic and enquire about the status of your Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test result.
