tourist visa requirements for singapore

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Singapore Tourist Visa (e-Visa): Requirements and Application Process

Published: April 23, 2024

A Singapore tourist visa (e-Visa) is required for nationals of 35 countries traveling to Singapore as tourists. 

Even though it’s an e-Visa, you cannot apply for it on your own. You need a Singapore local contact or an authorized visa agent to apply for the e-Visa on your behalf. 

Quick summary:

• Who requires it: Nationals of 35 countries
• Validity: 30 days to 2 years, single or multiple-entry
• Allowed stay: 30 days
• Processing time: 3 working days
• Fee: 30 SGD
• Extensions: Once for 30 days

If you haven’t already, read the Singapore Visa Guide for information on various visa options for tourists, their eligibility and requirements.

Table of Contents

Understanding singapore tourist visa (e-visa).

Tourist visa validity

Singapore tourist visa is valid from 30 days to 2 years. The validity of your tourist visa is decided on a case-by-case basis and nationality. The most common validity granted is 3 months. The exact validity will be written on the e-Visa after it’s issued.

Duration of stay

The allowed duration of stay in Singapore is 30 days. Your stay inside Singapore cannot exceed 30 days at a time. 

If you need to stay longer and hold a multiple-entry visa, you can leave and reenter to receive an additional 30-day stay. You can also apply for a 30-day extension from within the country

Allowed number of entries

Singapore tourist visas are usually multiple-entry. But single-entry visas are also issued to certain nationalities such as Bangladesh.

Allowed ports of entry

You can enter Singapore from Changi international airport or any seaport or via land border crossing using the tourist visa. There are no restrictions on where you can enter from.

When to apply

You must apply for your tourist visa within 30 days before arrival in Singapore. The processing time is 3 business days. To summarize:

• Latest: 1 week before traveling
• Earliest: 30 days before traveling

Tourist visa extension

Tourist visa validity cannot be extended but you can extend your allowed stay for additional 30 days once. 

You must apply online on the eServices portal no more than 14 days before the last day of your allowed duration of stay in Singapore.

You require a local sponsor to submit your extension application if you hold a passport from one of the Assessment Level II countries.

Visa extension fee is 30 SGD, are processed within 3 business days and are not guaranteed.

Singapore Tourist Visa (e-Visa) Requirements

Tourist visa eligibility

The countries eligible for the tourist visa are divided into 2 tiers – Assessment Level I and Assessment Level II.

The difference is in the required documents. Chiefly, Level II countries must also submit a Letter of Introduction for Visa Application (LOI).

Assessment Level I Countries

• North Korea
• Turkmenistan

Assessment Level II Countries

• Afghanistan
• South Sudan

Documents required

The following documents are required for the tourist visa.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months on the day of arrival in Singapore
• Photocopy of passport biodata page
• Completed and signed Form 14A
• One passport-size photo (digital photo if using a local contact to apply)

In addition, only Level II countries need to submit this:

• Completed Form V39A (also called a Letter of Introduction for Visa Application or LOI), issued by a local contact in Singapore.

The LOI must be issued by a local contact in Singapore. The local contact must meet the following requirements. 

• Must be a Singapore citizen or a Singapore permanent resident
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must have a Singpass account

If you don’t know anybody in Singapore who could help you with that, you can instead use an authorized visa agent to assist you with the Letter of Introduction.

Photo requirements

The photo must meet the following requirements.

• Must be taken within the last 3 months
• Must be in color against a plane white background
• Equal brightness, clear, sharp, and not pixelated
• Neutral facial expression with a closed mouth
• Fully visible shoulders and hair
• Any head covering must be dark in color against a white background
• Glasses are permitted as long as the lenses are untinted
• Fully visible eyes and no red eye
• No digital alterations

The digital photo file must meet the following requirements.

• Dimensions of the photo must be 400px x 514px
• Photo size must be of maximum 60KB
• Photo format must be JPG or JPEG

Tourist visa fee

The tourist visa fee is 30 SGD (~22 USD) and is payable online. If using an authorized agent to apply for your visa, you may have to pay the fee in cash in local currency. 

Processing time

The standard processing time for the tourist visa is 3 business days excluding the day of submission.

Tourist Visa (e-Visa) Application Process

You cannot apply for the Singapore tourist visa (e-Visa) on your own. You must apply using a Singapore local contact or an authorized visa agent.

Most Singapore overseas missions do not accept tourist visa applications. They will ask you to use a local contact or an authorized agent. 

But there are still a handful of Singapore embassies in the world that are still accepting tourist visa applications. 

In summary, there are 3 ways to apply for Singapore tourist visa.

• Apply using a local contact
• Apply using an authorized visa agent
• Apply at a Singapore Overseas Mission

Let’s look at each of these options in detail.

1. Apply for tourist visa using a local contact

You must know someone in Singapore who can act as your local contact to apply for the tourist visa on your behalf. 

This local contact in Singapore must have a “Singpass” account. Only Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents have Singpass accounts. 

Send the following information and documents to your local contact.

• A copy of your passport ID page 
• A digital passport-size photo
• Your email address, phone number
• Your current occupation, highest educational degree and annual income (in SGD)
• Your date of arrival, intended stay, and country of departure

Have your local contact follow the below steps to apply for your e-Visa.

Step 1 : Navigate to the Submission of Application for Visa Electronically (SAVE) portal.

Step 2 : Select “Apply for Entry Visa as a Local Contact (Individual Users)”. You will be redirected to the Singpass website to log in.

Step 3 : Click on “Create a New Application”.

Step 4 : Sequentially fill in the applicant’s details, travel information, and local contact details, upload a photo, and confirm.

Step 5 : Pay the visa fee of 30 SGD from the “MyCard Payment Summary” page. Download the invoice.

Step 6 : Print or screenshot the acknowledgment page and send it to the applicant. This acknowledgment page has the “Visa Application Reference Number” which is required to track or download the e-Visa. 

If your email was used during the application process, you will also receive an acknowledgment email with the “Visa Application Reference Number”. 

If your local contact used their email, they can forward the acknowledgment email to you so you can make a note of the “Visa Application Reference Number” and track the status of your e-Visa. 

The processing of the e-Visa takes 3-5 working days. You can track the application status and download your approved e-Visa. 

Instructions to track the status and download the approved e-Visa are in the sections below. 

2. Apply for tourist visa using an authorized visa agent

The Singapore embassies that do not accept tourist visa applications usually post a list of authorized visa agents on their websites. 

Find the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission in your country and check their website for the list of authorized visa agents.

Go to the authorized visa agent’s office and submit the following documents.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry into Singapore
• Photocopy of your passport biodata page
• One passport-size photo affixed on the form
• Round-trip flight tickets
• Hotel bookings
• Completed Form V39A LOI (if applicable)
• Visa fee and service fee in local currency

Authorized agents do not keep your original passport with them. Presenting the original passport at the time of application submission is only for verification purposes.

Authorized agents have access to the SAVE portal and they will apply for your visa on your behalf. They will send you the “Visa Application Reference Number” to track and download your approved e-Visa.

Instructions to track the status and download the approved e-Visa are in the sections below.

3. Apply for tourist visa at Singapore overseas mission

Check with your nearest Singapore overseas mission if they accept tourist visa applications. If they do, find out whether you need an appointment or you can just walk in.

Submit the following documents to the Singapore embassy.

• Visa fee in local currency

The embassy will not keep your original passport. Presenting the original passport is only for verification purposes.

You will receive an email from the embassy with the “Visa Application Reference Number” to track and download your approved e-Visa.

How to track tourist visa (e-Visa) status

Even though you had to use a local contact or visa agent to apply, you can track status and download the e-Visa yourself. Follow the below steps to track your e-Visa status.

• Navigate to the Singapore SAVE portal  
• Click on “Enquire Application Status”
• Enter your Visa Application Reference Number, and passport number and click on the “Next” button
• On the next page, you will see your current e-Visa status.

If your visa application is still in process, the status will be “Visa Application in Pending”. If approved, it will be “Your Application is Approved”.

How to download an approved tourist visa (e-Visa)

Follow the above steps to track your e-Visa status. If the visa has been successfully issued, you will see “Your Application is Approved” with your approved visa details. 

Click the “Print e-Visa” button to download your e-Visa as a PDF file. 

Print this e-Visa on an A4 or letter-size sheet and present it with your passport at immigration in Singapore. 

How to contact tourist visa customer service

If you or your local contact have questions, use the following options to contact ICA customer service.

Webpage: Check the User Manual for questions on filling out the visa application  Email: [email protected]

Entry Procedure at the Border

Make sure to print your e-Visa before your trip to Singapore. If you are eligible to use automated immigration lanes, you may not need a print. But the airline might want to see a print of your e-Visa.

Submit SG Arrival Card (SGAC)

Submit your SG Arrival Card (SGAC) online within 3 days before arrival in Singapore. You can submit SGAC on the official SG Arrival Card e-Service portal or MyICA Mobile App ( App Store download and Google Play download ).

Use automated immigration lanes

Passport holders from 60 countries are eligible to use automated lanes at Changi airport and land borders. If you are not eligible to use automated lanes, you may pass through manned immigration desks.

You may be asked to present your e-Visa print. You may also be asked to produce proof of onward travel and proof of sufficient cash to ensure that you do not overstay your visa.

Receive Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass)

Singapore does not stamp passports on entry or exit. After clearing the immigration, an Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) is issued and sent to your email which you have mentioned in your SG Arrival Card. 

You can also retrieve your e-Pass on the ICA website using your Disembarkation/Embarkation number (DE No.) or passport information. 

You can find your DE No. in your SG Arrival Card (SGAC) acknowledgment email, PDF or mobile app.

The e-Pass contains the following details:

• Disembarkation/Embarkation number (DE No.)
• Date and time of issuance of visit pass
• Number of days of stay granted
• Last day of stay allowed in Singapore

The e-Pass will also mention whether you are eligible to use the automated lanes for your departure and any subsequent trips to Singapore. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need to print the singapore e-visa.

Yes. You must print the Singapore e-Visa. Singaporean authorities may have the e-Visa on file already, but you are still asked to present if you’re not using the automated immigration lanes. Also, the airline staff might want to see the e-Visa print when checking in. 

Why is there no visa stamp in my passport?

Singapore has phased out issuing physical stamps in passports. Instead, you will be issued an electronic visit pass (e-Pass) and sent to your email shortly after you enter Singapore.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Visa and Entry Requirements

Singaporeans who wish to find out if they require a visa to visit a particular country should contact the country’s representative closest to you to be apprised of the latest requirements.

All foreign visitors must ensure that they meet or possess entry requirements as stated by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Please click here for the requirements. 

US Passport Holders (regular, official and diplomatic) do not require a visa to enter Singapore for business or for social visit purposes. They must, however, meet the entry requirements as mentioned above.

Countries/Regions which require a visa for entry into Singapore

If your travel document is issued by one of the countries or regions below, you will need a visa to enter Singapore:

You will also need a visa if you are travelling on:

• A Palestinian Authority passport
• A temporary passport issued by the United Arab Emirates
• Refugee travel documents issued by a Middle East country. These travel documents are subject to assessment of recognition for entry into Singapore.

A Singapore visa is not an immigration pass. It is a pre-entry permission for the holder of a valid Singapore visa to travel to, and seek entry, into Singapore. The grant of an immigration pass will be determined by the ICA officers at the point of entry. Possession of a valid visa alone does not guarantee entry into Singapore. The period of stay granted is shown on the visit pass endorsement given on your passport and it is not tied to the validity of your visa. 

Visa-Free Transit Facility

Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, India, The People's Republic of China (PRC), Turkmenistan and Ukraine may be eligible for the Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF) . 

Submission of visa applications through Singapore Embassy in Washington D.C.

In addition to the entry requirements stipulated by ICA , please note the following:

A) Visa applications may be submitted online, in-person or by mail. You are advised to apply for an entry visa within 30 days prior to arrival in Singapore.

• Online. If the applicant has a local sponsor who is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident above 21 years with a SingPass account, they can submit the visa application via SAVE .
• In person. Consular services are by appointment only . The Embassy will not accept any walk-in request. Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM . To schedule an appointment, please contact the Embassy via email at [email protected].
• By mail. Our mailing address is:

3501 International Place NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

You may address your package to "Singapore Embassy". Please note that you may use the courier of your choice. We advise using a service that will provide a tracking number.

B) Documents required

• Please also refer to  https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/visa_requirements  and ensure the following are included in your application
• A copy of air ticket and hotel reservations. Detailed proposed itineraries (of flight and hotel) will suffice. 
• A valid visa to the next destination should be obtained (if applicable). If you are returning to USA after visiting Singapore, please submit a clear copy of your valid US Resident Alien/PR Card, US visa or relevant documentary proof confirming legal entrance (i.e. INA Parole Paper, I-20 etc). 
• One recent (taken within last three months) passport size photo. The photo must be in colour, must be taken against a white background with a matt or semi-matt finish. The image must show the full face and without headgear (headgear worn in accordance with religious or racial customs is acceptable but must not hide facial features). 
• On a separate document, please provide a daytime contact number and email address.

C) Processing fee

• The processing fee is US$22.00 per visa application. The fee collected is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or if you withdraw the application after submission. 
• We accept money order or cashier's check only, made payable to "Singapore Embassy" . Do not send cash through the mail.
• All fees are subject to change without notice.

D) Processing time

• The processing time for visa applications is three to eight business days from the date of receipt of the complete application.
• Please note some applications may take longer. Applicants should therefore give allowance for processing and possible postal delays before their intended departure. 
• There is no expedited service.
• Incomplete applications may result in the application being rejected or delayed.

Check Status of Visa Application

You can print a copy of the e-Visa by following the below steps: Step 1: Go to Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website at  www.ica.gov.sg Step 2: At ICA homepage, scroll down to section <Frequently Accessed eServices> and click on <Visa(SAVE)> Step 3: Scroll the page down and click on <Status Enquiry> Step 4: Key in your <Application Reference Number (WASXXXXXXSAXXXXXXX) >and <Travel Document Number (XXXXXXXX)> Step 5: If your application is approved, click on <Proceed> to get the copy of the e-Visa If you had already been issued with a valid visa but misplaced the copy of your e-Visa, you can also follow the above steps to print a copy of your e-Visa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

Travel Page

Do I need a visa to visit Singapore?

Sep 7, 2023 • 3 min read

Singapore is famously known for being a state of rules, so check to see whether you need a visa for your visit © 2p2play / Shutterstock

A visit to Singapore is a glimpse into the future. From its modern and almost surreal airport  to its eye-catching and ever-changing skyline, Singapore is continuously innovative.

Even though the tourist entry requirements for most nationalities are straightforward, Singapore is known for its commitment to the rules. Here's what you need to know about visas for Singapore, including what types of visas are available and the rules you’ll need to navigate for trouble-free travel.

What you need to know about visas in Singapore

The visa requirements for travel to Singapore depend on your nationality, how many days you'll spend in the country and why you're visiting. Citizens of 164 different countries can enter Singapore as tourists for a period of 30 or 90 days without a visa.  

Passport holders from the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and the United States get 90 days visa-free in Singapore, while citizens of some other countries can stay a maximum of 30 days without applying for a visa.

Travelers from countries that aren't on the visa waiver list  have to apply for either an e-visa or a regular tourist visa, depending on their nationality. While e-visa applications can be easily done at any online e-visa provider and have a processing time of just one day, regular visas are a bit more involved, requiring travelers to get in contact with their nearest Singaporean diplomatic mission or apply for a visa through an agent.

Singapore's Frequent Traveller Programme

The Frequent Traveller Programme allows visitors from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States to use the automated clearance facilities at immigration, a process that significantly simplifies entering Singapore and helps frequent travelers avoid long wait times at peak hours.

What else do you need when visiting Singapore?

All tourists arriving in Singapore must have a valid passport (with a minimum validity of six months at the time of departure), sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore and an SG Arrival Card.

Unlike most other Southeast Asian countries, Singapore does not have a paper-based Disembarkation Card to be filled out on arrival in the country. Instead, all travelers (including those enrolled in the Frequent Traveller Programme) are required to submit an SG Arrival Card online, which asks for basic personal information, trip details and a health declaration. Obtain an SG Arrival Card on the MyICA phone app or the official ICA website .

All travelers, including residents, who arrive in Singapore from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission must present a yellow fever vaccine certificate. Travelers who do not have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate are liable to be quarantined at their own cost for up to six days.

Will I get a stamp in my passport?

Travelers passing through immigration at Changi Airport receive an electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) via email rather than a passport stamp. The e-Pass contains details of the visit pass granted, including the maximum number of days and the last day you're allowed to stay in Singapore.

This article was first published October 2021 and updated September 2023

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