How to get a visa for Singapore

The Republic of Singapore is a Southeast Asian country bordered by Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south. It is a country of more than 6 million people, and its capital city is also called Singapore.

Singapore is a culturally diverse country and has several official languages, including English, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil and Malay, the national language. Find out how to get a visa for Singapore and all other entry requirements here.

Do I need a visa to travel to Singapore?

You don't need to know how to get the Singapore visa if you stay less than 90 days in Singapore, but you will have to apply for a travel authorisation (SG Arrival Card) to enter the country. This travel authorisation must be applied for online. We at Visagov.com can help you with the whole process. 

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. The government authorities will then provide you with a visitor's or work pass, depending on the reason why you have travelled 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, being the ones with the most subcategories. Discover how to get a Singapore visa, no matter the type you choose.

SG Arrival Card authorisation

This is an electronic landing card for foreign travellers wishing to enter Singapore. It is a single-entry card and starts counting from the planned date of entry you indicate on the application. It is compulsory to process in order to apply for any type of visa.

Work Passes

Work pass for professionals

Worker's Pass: This pass is aimed at highly qualified professionals, managers or executives from abroad. Candidates must have a minimum income of $50,000 per year.

EntrePass: The EntrePass is for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start and operate a new business in Singapore.

Personalised Employment Pass: This pass is for foreign professionals with high incomes. This pass offers greater flexibility than the worker's pass.

Skilled and Semi-Skilled Worker Pass: This pass is for qualified mid-level personnel. Candidates must have a minimum income of $2,400 per month and meet evaluation criteria.

Work Permit for Foreign Workers: This is for qualified personnel in the construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, process or service sectors.

Foreign Domestic Work Permit: This is for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to work in Singapore.

Work Permit for Interim Nannies: This is for nannies, predominantly from Malaysia, 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 working in public entertainment venues such as bars, hotels and nightclubs.

Work permit for apprentices and students

Training Employment Pass: This is for foreign professionals undergoing 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 wish to work while spending their holidays in Singapore. It has a maximum duration of 6 months.

Working Holiday Pass: This is for Australian students and graduates aged 18-30 who want to work and holiday in Singapore. It has a maximum duration of 1 year.

Apprenticeship Work Permit: This is for semi-qualified foreign apprentices or trainees. The permit is valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Work pass for family members

Dependent Pass: This is for spouses and children of work pass holders or S passes.

Long-term visit pass: This is for parents, de facto partners, stepchildren or disabled children of job pass holders or an S pass.

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.

Letter of Consent: This is for spouses or children of holders residing in the country who hold a Dependent Pass or an LTVP/LTVP issued by the ICA.

Work Pass for Exemptions and Work During a Visit Pass

Miscellaneous Work Pass: This is for foreign nationals, religious workers and journalists taking up a short-term work assignment (maximum 60 days) 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.

Work Pass Exemption for Foreign Students: This is for international students who are studying full-time at a school or institution in Singapore.

Work Pass for Long-Term Visit Holders issued by the ICA: This is for foreigners married to Singaporean nationals 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 for visiting Singapore. However, please note that it is not a visa.

Once this procedure has been completed, you must present the SG Card on arrival in Singapore so that the immigration services can provide you with the appropriate pass. For work and residence passes or visas, you must contact the nearest consulate or embassy.

Who needs a visa for Singapore?

All those who wish 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 check this with our eligibility checker. If your nationality is not on this list, you must contact the nearest embassy or consulate to know how to get a visa for Singapore.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Singapore?

To obtain a business or visit visa, you must meet some basic requirements:

• Present a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry to the country.
• Have sufficient economic funds during our stay in the country.
• A return ticket to your destination.
• A 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 visa will show how many days you can stay in the country.

If you stay longer than this, it will be considered a crime. If you wish to stay longer than the established period, you must request an extension online or go to the Visitor Service Centre on the 4th floor of the ICA building before your visitor visa 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 have to submit a new visa application. 

However, if you realise that you have made a mistake with the data provided after applying SG Arrival, you may turn to the website or the company that processed it to modify the data. Your details must be correct if not you may be refused entry to Singapore.

How much does a visa to Singapore cost?

Applications for the SG Arrival Card are free of government fees. A minimum fee depends on the visa. The US$30 must be paid online at the time of application with a credit or debit card.

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Singapore visa?

The SG Arrival processing time is generally quick, 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's delivery time is usually no more than 48 hours so that you can make the request only days before the trip. However, it is advisable to do it about 15 days before your entry to the country.

For the rest of the visas, the processing time is between 3 and 5 working 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 though there are two other airports in Singapore. You can also reach Singapore by sea, through one of the cruise ships that stop over or tour the country.

From Malaysia, you can cross to Singapore from using either of the two bridges that join these countries. Inexpensive bus companies make this journey.

Do you need a transit visa In Singapore?

All travelers must submit their SG Arrival Card when they travel to Singapore except those transiting or transferring through the country without seeking immigration clearance. 

So, if you’re considering stopping for a few hours to visit the city or staying overnight to rest, you’ll need to submit your SG Arrival Card.