Useful advice on how to get the Singapore visa from India

In October 2018, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) introduced a system that replaces the face-to-face disembarkation/embarkation (D/E) card that Indian citizens need to enter Singapore.

This system is called the Electronic Arrival Card (or Singapore Arrival Card). It is currently operational, although in a phase of continuous development. The online application is expected to replace face-to-face processing in 2021 entirely. Indian citizens can apply for this mandatory arrival card to enter Singapore. Applying is simple and much faster than the previous method.

Here is all the necessary information on how to get the Singapore visa from India.

Is Singapore a Hindu country?

Singapore is a country that has historically always had a great diversity of cultures. Over the years, this has made the Singapore government very flexible and tolerant of the religious culture of its citizens. Today, Singapore has amongst its inhabitants more than eight religions, including Hinduism.

The Hindu religion has grown over the years, and now makes up approximately 6.5% of Singapore’s population. The majority are from South India, although there is also a small group of Chinese women who complete the Hindu census.

Singapore has several temples dedicated to Hinduism. The Sri Mariamman Temple was founded in the early 19th century and is the oldest temple dedicated to this religion in the country today. In total, Singapore has more than thirty Hindu temples.

How can you get a Singapore tourist visa from India?

Citizens with a valid passport and wanting to enter Singapore for tourism will need to get a visa for Singapore from India and the SG Arrival Card, as well as meeting all other Singapore entry requirements. The visa can be arranged online to save time. 

The Singapore government offers an online visa facility if you meet one of the following requirements:

• You have a local Singapore contact that makes the application on your behalf through "SingPass"
• You have a local Singapore contact that makes the application on your behalf through "CorpPass"
• You have an authorized agent from Singapore that processes your visa
• You have a strategic partner from Singapore to process the visa

If you comply with any of these requirements or have any of the contacts mentioned above, you will need to submit the following documentation:

• Form 14A completed and signed by you. Try to review the requested information several times, in case there are any differences with the original documentation. Any difference could make the visa be rejected and your entry to the country denied.
• A recent colour photo
• A clear copy of your passport, preferably in colour, with no reflections of light.
• Depending on your case, you may be asked for additional supporting documentation.
• Although the processing time is approximately one day, we recommend that you apply for the visa about 30 days before your intended date of entry to the country. This will avoid possible inconveniences and delays.
• An issued visa allows multiple entries into the country during its period of validity (9 weeks, 63 days). The duration of each stay in Singapore cannot exceed 30 days.

The SG Arrival Card can also be processed online. It is a more straightforward procedure that does not require a representative from Singapore to apply. You will have to fill in an online form that does not require attaching any documentation. However, you should have your passport handy since you will be asked for your travel documents.

It is recommended that you apply for the Singapore visa from India 2-14 days before your date of arrival. The approval time for the SG Arrival Card is 24 hours, and it is valid for 14 days from the time it is approved.

To get a tourist visa for Singapore from India, you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry to Singapore.
• An active email to send the approval when it is ready.
• Confirmed, round-trip flight dates, which will be asked for in the application.
• Accommodation information.

Can Indian Passport holders get a visa on arrival in Singapore?

Unfortunately, Singapore does not offer the possibility of applying for a visa-on-arrival at their airports for Indian citizens. It is possible to apply upon arrival for a transit visa, under the following conditions:

• You may enter Singapore by any mode of transport, but depart only via air or sea. You must have a valid onward air/ferry/cruise ticket departing Singapore within 96 hours.
• You must have a valid visa/long-term pass with a validity of at least 1 month from the date of entry into Singapore that was issued by any of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America. 

Indian culture in Singapore

As a result of Singapore's cultural mixes, there is an ethnic group called "Indian Singaporeans" who constitute approximately 9% of the population of the country of more than half a million people, making them the third-largest ethnic group in Singapore.

Additional information about the Singapore visa for Indian

• Keep in mind that the SG Arrival Card is not a visa. India citizens will have to present additional documentation upon arrival, such as a visa. In some cases, you may be asked upon arrival for a yellow fever vaccination card or other documents used in your visa application.
• We advise you to re-check the information you put in both your visa application and SG Arrival Card.  If the information you fill does not precisely match the information you present at the airport, then you will be refused to enter Singapore.
• The currency used in Singapore is the Singaporean dollar. We recommend that you exchange your rupees for dollars while still in India, before travelling to the country.
• For more information on visas, read our article on how to get a visa for Singapore.