Do I need a visa to travel to Singapore?
It is not necessary to apply for a visa if you are staying less than 90 days in Singapore, but you will need to apply for a travel authorization (SG Arrival Card) to enter the country. This travel authorization must be applied for online through the government website or with the help of a third party, such as visagov.com, who can help with the processing.
Once you have arrived in Singapore, you must take all your documentation and present it to the authorities along with the SG arrival card or visa. Government authorities will then issue you a visitor or work pass, depending on the purpose of your trip to the country.
Types of visas for Singapore
There are two groups, including visas and travel passes. The visit passes (SG Arrival Card), and the work passes, are the ones with the most subcategories:
SG Arrival Card Authorization
This is an electronic landing card for foreign travelers who wish to enter Singapore. It is a single entry card and counts from the expected date of entry that you indicate in the application. It is mandatory to process this authorization to request any type of pass.
Work Passes
Work Pass for Professionals
Worker Season Ticket:
This season ticket is aimed at highly qualified foreign professionals, directors, or executives. Candidates must have a minimum income of $50,000 per year.
EntrePass:
EntrePass is for foreign entrepreneurs who are looking to start and operate a new business in Singapore.
Personalized Employment Pass:
This pass is for foreign professionals with high incomes. This pass offers greater flexibility than the worker pass.
Skilled and Semi-Skilled Worker Pass:
This pass is for mid-level skilled personnel. Candidates must have a minimum income of $2,400 per month and meet the evaluation criteria.
Work Permit for Foreign Workers:
It is for qualified personnel in the construction, manufacturing, shipyard, process or service sectors.
Foreign Domestic Work Permit:
This is for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW) to work in Singapore.
Acting Nanny Work Permit:
This is for nannies, predominantly Malaysian, to work in Singapore for up to 16 weeks from the birth of the employer’s child.
Work permit for artistic performances:
This is for foreign artists who work in places of public entertainment such as bars, hotels and nightclubs.
Work permit for apprentices and students
Employment Training Pass:
It is for foreign professionals in training. Candidates must have a minimum income of $3,000 per month.
Working Holiday Pass:
This is for students and graduates between the ages of 18 and 25 who want to work while on holiday in Singapore. It has a maximum duration of 6 months.
Working Holiday Pass:
This is for Australian students and graduates aged 18-30 who wish to work and holiday in Singapore. It has a maximum duration of 1 year.
Apprenticeship Work Permit:
This is for foreign semi-skilled apprentices or apprentices. The permit is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
Dependent Pass:
This is for spouses and children of Work Pass or S Pass holders.
Long-term visit pass:
It is for parents, unmarried couples, stepchildren, or disabled children of work pass or S pass holders.
Pre-approved letter of consent:
This is for spouses or children of citizens residing in Singapore who have an LTVP/LTVP (long-term visit) issued by the ICA.
Consent Letter:
This is for spouses or children of holders residing in the country who are holders of a Dependent Pass or an LTVP/LTVP issued by the ICA.
Work pass for exemptions and work pass during a visit
Miscellaneous Work Pass: This is for foreign nationals, religious workers, and journalists who accept a short-term (maximum 60 days) work assignment in Singapore.
Work Pass-Exempt Activities:
This is for short-term activities without a work pass. Applicants must notify the MOM (Ministry of Manpower) of their activities.
Overseas Student Work Pass Waiver:
This is for international students studying full-time at an approved school or institution in Singapore.
Work Pass for Long-Term Visit Holders issued by the ICA:
This is for foreign nationals married to Singapore citizens or permanent residents, or parents accompanying a child studying in Singapore.
How do I apply for a Singapore visa?
The new SG Arrival Card is the electronic version of the old DE card, which has been out of circulation since March 2020. Since then, all foreign visitors must apply for the electronic version.
Processing the SG Arrival Card is a mandatory entry requirement to visit Singapore. However, please note that it is not a visa.
Once this procedure has been completed, you must present the SG Card upon arrival in Singapore so that the emigration and immigration service can provide you with the corresponding pass.
For work and residence passes or visas, you should contact the nearest consulate or embassy.
Who needs a visa for Singapore?
All those wishing to enter Singapore, regardless of the reason for their visit, must apply for the SG Arrival Card. To do so, you must first check if your nationality is eligible for online processing.
You can verify this with our eligibility checker. If your nationality is not on this list, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate customer service center.
What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Singapore?
To obtain a business or visitor pass, you must meet some basic requirements:
– Present a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into the country
– Have sufficient economic funds during our stay in the country
– A return ticket to the destination.
– Evidence that you can return to your destination
– Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever, if you come from a country at risk.
If you comply with the above, you will receive a pass indicating the period of stay granted. This pass will show you how many days you can stay in the country before you leave.
If you stay longer, it will be considered a crime. If you wish to stay longer than the stated time, you must request an extension through the web service or go to the Visitor Service Center on the 4th floor of the ICA building before your visitor pass expires.
Can the Singapore visa be changed once it has been processed?
You cannot change the information declared on a visa once it has been submitted. You will need to submit a new visa application.
However, if you realize that you have made a mistake with the data provided after applying SG Arrival, you can go to the website or the company that processed it to modify the data.
Your data must be correct. Otherwise, you may be denied entry to Singapore.
How much does a visa for Singapore cost?
SG arrival card applications are free of government fees. A minimum fee depends on the visa. The US$30 must be paid online at the time of application by credit or debit card.
How far in advance should I apply for a Singapore visa?
The SG arrival processing time is generally fast, but you should consider that it is valid for 14 days from the time of issue. Processing times may vary depending on the platform used. The government delivery time is usually not more than 48 hours so you can make the request only days before the trip; however, it is advisable to do so about 15 days before entering the country.
For the rest of the visas, the processing time is between 3 and 5 business days, and it is advisable to process it 15 or 20 days in advance.
What are the entry borders to Singapore?
Changi International Airport is Singapore’s main airport, although there are two other airports in Singapore.
You can also get to Singapore by sea, through one of the cruise ships that make a stopover or tour the country.
From Malaysia, you can cross into Singapore using either of the two bridges that link these countries. Low-cost bus companies are doing this trip.
Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Singapore?
The Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory if you come from a country where the disease is present.
There is no other compulsory vaccination, although in some cases it may be advisable to be vaccinated against Tetanus, Triple Virus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever.
What is the currency of Singapore?
The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar (SGD), which is divided into 100 cents and is often abbreviated with the dollar sign, adding the letter S in front of the symbol (S$) to differentiate it from other dollars.
The money can be exchanged at any bank in the country or through specialized exchange houses. If you exchange your money at a bank in Singapore, you may be asked for your passport or airline tickets. It is best to keep all currency exchange receipts so that you can verify them in your country when you return.
Paying by credit card is a good solution and they are accepted in most places.
When is the best time to travel to Singapore?
November to January is the rainy season and it is better to avoid it; however, you can visit the country without weather problems the rest of the year.
The best time to travel is in April, May, and June. This is the time when the weather and temperatures are more stable and pleasant, ideal for all kinds of activities and visits to the countryside.
Another good time to travel is February as it is Chinese New Year and the parties and events are elaborate and colorful.
Is it safe to travel to Singapore?
The biggest threat you can find in Singapore is thunderstorms or floods. The crime rate is very low and Singapore is considered one of the safest countries in the world.
Important tips for traveling to Singapore
Drug possession and use are punishable by death in Singapore. Controls at border posts, nightclubs, entertainment venues, etc. they are very exhaustive.
The best way to get around Singapore is by using the MRT train. It’s very efficient, and you can buy a card called EZ-Link which is a cheap option if you intend to use the train for several days during your trip.
Small infractions such as crossing a street when you shouldn’t, or consuming drinks or food on public transport, are usually enough reasons to dictate a sanction. These fines are paid at a kind of kiosk with ATMs scattered throughout the city.
Singapore is promoting the nature and beauty of its parks. Be sure to visit the Botanical Gardens, including the National Orchid Garden, and Gardens by the Bay, where the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are not to be missed.
There are plenty of backpacker accommodations if you don’t want to pay extortionate hotel prices. Singapore is notoriously expensive for hotel accommodations. Backpacker options are affordable and clean.
