Visa to Singapore
All travellers are all too familiar with the frustrations and admin associated with applying for a visa into foreign countries. Fortunately, citizens of almost 80% of the world’s countries are allowed to travel to Singapore for 30 days and some even 90 days without a visa at all.
The nationals of the countries different from those which do not need a visa to Singapore, fall into one of two categories. These categories are: countries whose citizens can apply for an electronic visa and those countries whose citizens should have a visa vignette that is placed in one’s passport.
Entry requirements
Much like the majority of countries, the entry requirements into Singapore are pretty standard. Visitors of Singapore must have a passport that’s valid for more than 6 months from time of departure, poses a return or onward ticket, have sufficient funds as well as have entry documents and visas (if required) to their next destination. If required, visitors will also need to have a visa into Singapore and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
90-day visa exemption
All citizens of the European Union, Australia, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States can throw up their hands and cheer in glee at the fact they are permitted to stay in Singapore without any visa for as long as 90 days. No hassle – just pack your suitcase or backpack and go!
E-visas
Electronic visas or online visas can be applied for via Internet through the official web site of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. This type of visa is granted to the citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, North Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan who are holders of a normal passport. The visa is usually issued within one working day and applicants are able to travel with a printout of the E-visa.
Single Journey visas
Although no countries are officially denied access to Singapore, certain countries need to acquire a visa in advance.
The application can be done via a local contact within Singapore or the closest Singaporean diplomatic mission or an authorized visa agent outside of Singapore. These visas take around 5 to 7 working days to be issued and the visa vignette is attached within the applicant’s passport.
Countries requiring this passport are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
All visas have a visa processing fee of SGD30 and the Authorised Visa Agents are permitted to charge an additional service fee on top of the visa processing fee. The fees are collected at the moment of the application for the visa and are non-refundable.
All the countries not listed above, are allowed to stay in Singapore for a maximum of 30 days without a visa.
Visa extensions
Should a traveller wish to extend their stay in Singapore they may apply for an extension of short term social visit pass by either applying online or visiting the Visitor Services Centre in the ICA Building (4th floor) on Kallang Road, next to Lavender MRT station.
Each application will be considered on its own merit and an additional 89 days from date of entry into Singapore may be granted. Keep in mind that applicants cannot apply again if they have already obtained an extension of stay on the same trip. Applicants also need to be mindful that their current social visa pass has a remaining validity of not more than 2 days (excluding weekends and public holidays).
Alright, that’s the admin out of the way. Time to start packing!
