Singapore enjoys a large amount of tourism despite its small size, attracting around 17 million visitors every year. In comparison, Singapore has a population of 5 million, out of which, only about 60% are Singaporean citizens. The remainder is permanent residents and international students and workers.
Singapore offers countless attractions for tourists, whether you want to enjoy its museums, its modern architecture, the delicious food, or the greenery that is on every street.
The majority of people do not need a visa to visit Singapore. The countries who are subject to Singapore visas are divided into Assessment Level I and Assessment Level II Countries and they can apply through Singapore’s online e-Service.
In addition to a visa, you will also need a Singapore short-term visit pass.
Who Should Apply for a Short Term Visit Pass?
The Singapore Visit Pass is issued to foreign nationals who want to enter Singapore with the intention of:
- Tourism.
- Social visits (Singapore Social Visit Pass).
- Medical treatment.
Even visitors who are not subject to Singapore Visas will be given a Singapore Visit Pass upon entry. You cannot take up any sort of paid employment with a short-term Pass for Singapore.
Regardless of whether you are traveling for tourism, medical treatment, or you want a Singapore Social Visit Pass, your Pass will only be issued for a maximum of 30 days. It is very important not to overstay your Visit Pass since this is considered a punishable offense in Singapore.
However, if you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a Short-Term Pass Extension.
Requirements for a Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass
When you reach the Singapore point of entry, you have to submit the following documents to the ICA officers so they may issue you a Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass:
- Your short-term Singapore visa.
- A passport which is valid for at least another six months after the visa expires.
- Sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay. There is no specific required amount, but on average, S$100 per day is recommended. Typically, a credit card should suffice as proof.
- Confirmed return booked ticket.
- Disembarkation/embarkation card, now known as the Singapore Arrival Card which can be obtained online.
- If applicable: Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
- In some cases: The completed Singapore visa application form.
The immigration officers at your point of entry into Singapore will review your case and decide whether you should be allowed to enter.
How to get a Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass?
While a Singapore tourist visa allows you to travel to Singapore, you need a Singapore short-term visit pass to be allowed to enter the country. This means that the visa is simply pre-entry permission, and it does not guarantee entry into Singapore.
The Singapore visa application process is as follows:
- Apply for a visa online at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website or in person at a Singapore overseas mission.
- If you are applying online, you need a contact or representative in Singapore to submit the visa application for you. You cannot submit a Singapore visa application yourself. If you do not have a trusted Singaporean contact, there are visa agencies who are authorized to submit Singapore visa applications on behalf of foreign nationals.
- If you are applying in person, you have to check the website of the nearest Singapore mission for instructions on how to proceed.
- If you get the Singapore e-Visa, you or your contact can print it, and you are cleared to travel to Singapore with your visa.
- At the Singaporean point of entry, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers will check whether you meet the requirements to enter Singapore. They are allowed to refuse you entrance.
- If you are allowed to enter, they will give you a Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass, which states the number of days you are allowed to stay. This is typically between 14-30 days.
Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass Extension
If you find that you need (or want) to stay in Singapore for longer than the time you were issued, then you should apply for a Singapore Short-Term Pass Extension.
The extension will allow you to stay for a maximum of 89 days from the date you initially entered (not the date you are applying for the Pass Extension).
You can apply for a Visit Pass Extension online through ICS’s e-Service. If you are unable to apply online, you can apply at the ICA offices in Singapore.
Short Term Pass extension conditions
The conditions for a Singapore Short-Term Pass extension are:
- If you are subject to visas: You will need a local sponsor who is at least 21 years old and has a SingPass Account.
- You must apply for the Visit Pass Extension at least three working days before your current Visit Pass expires.
- After your visit to Singapore ends, you do not intend to return within the next five days.
Documents needed to get an extension
The documents you must submit for a Visit Pass Extension are:
- Your passport which is valid for at least six more months after you depart Singapore.
- Photocopy of your passport’s bio-data pages.
- Your current and valid Visit Pass.
- Your Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card.
- A valid credit card, which will be used to pay the Pass Extension fee (S$40).
- If you want to extend your stay for medical treatment: Form V75 signed by a Singaporean doctor which details your medical condition and the extension period you need.
- If you want to extend a Social Visit Pass and have a family member in Singapore: Documents proving your family ties with the Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
Depending on the specific case, the ICA could request for further documents.
You and your local sponsor may also have to attend an interview.
If your Short-Term Visit Pass Extension is rejected, you can make an appeal at the ICA office. You can do this if you have new evidence or have exceptional circumstances that can support your application.
You have to make the appeal in person, accompanied by your local sponsor.