Singapore Visa for Indians

If you have a plan to visit Singapore, as an Indian traveler, you must be aware of the Singapore visa requirements. You can apply for a Singapore visa for Indians online, and it is essential to comply with the necessary documentation and procedures to ensure a smooth visa application process.

Singapore visa for Indians

Applicants must note that a Singapore visa from India is not an immigration pass. The ICA officers at the point of entry will determine the grant of an immigration pass to the traveller. Please note that the possession of a valid visa alone does not guarantee entry into Singapore.

The authorities in Singapore do not tie the period of stay granted to the validity of your visa, and they display it on the visit pass endorsement given on your passport.

Difference between Passport and Visa

Visa for Dubai

Passport address documents

Types of Singapore visa:

According to the purpose of visiting Singapore from India, there are different types of  Singapore visas:

Singapore tourist visa

The authorities issue tourist visas in the form of an ETA Electronic Travel Authorization to people who wish to visit Singapore for tourism purposes. Individuals can obtain it in Singapore upon arrival or prior to arrival. Indian passport holders are eligible to apply for a Singapore tourist visa, which allows them to stay for up to 30 days and has a two-year validity period.

Singapore business visa

Singapore grants Indian citizens a business or work visa if they are seeking employment or intending to start a business in Singapore. In Singapore, this type of visa is commonly known as an employment or Entrepreneur pass.

Singapore visa requirements

While applying for a Singapore visa from India, you will need to submit some required documents. These documents are very important. You really need to be careful while collecting them. Make sure they all meet the standards of documents by the embassy where you are submitting your application.

Common documents for Singapore visa

• A duly filled visa application form.
• A clear photocopy of your Indian passport with a validity of 6 months.
• A clear photocopy of the first, last & any observation pages in your passport, which must be valid for more than six months from the date of your entry into Singapore.
• Two recent passport-sized colour photographs.
• Passport copy of the Invitee from Singapore.
• In addition to the other required documents, a copy of the applicant’s original bank statement showing their transactions in the last six months, duly stamped and signed by the bank authority, must also be provided.
• Applicants need their flight reservation of return or round ticket to and from Singapore to serve as proof of return.
• Moreover, the applicant must submit the original covering letter, which includes details such as the purpose of the visit, date of travel, number of passengers, details of land itinerary, place of stay in Singapore, and applicant’s employment details.
• The applicant must submit any other passports that are old, expired, or full.
• Applicants must submit a copy of their Lease & License agreement of residence in India.
• Applicants must provide address proof by a letter written on the companies letterhead (Original).
•  Provide telephone bill for the previous month.
• Electricity bill of the previous month.

Documents for Singapore tourist visa

• All documents mentioned in the common documents section are mandatory.
• If the applicant is invited by family or friends, they need to provide an invitation letter from their family/friends in Singapore.
• If the applicant is traveling alone and is unemployed, they must present a Sponsorship letter and financial proof of the sponsor in Singapore.

Documents for Singapore business visa

• All documents mentioned in the common documents section are required.
• The company in Singapore requires an invitation letter.
• The applicant’s employer must provide a leave letter for the employee on the official company letterhead.

Note:

1. A tour itinerary must be provided along with the confirmed return air ticket.
2. The applicant must address their covering letter, which mentions the reason for travel and dates of travel, to ‘The Consulate General of Singapore’ or ‘The Embassy of Singapore’.
3. Please ensure that all the submitted documents are in English. If not, they must be accompanied by valid English translations.

4. Additionally, if the applicant is residing at any other address than what is mentioned on the passport, they should attach a copy of residential proof. Two government-authorized address proof documents with the same address can serve this purpose.

5. Furthermore, in the event that you are a first-time traveler to Singapore, you must also attach income tax papers for the last 3 years along with bank statements for the last 3 months.
6. Although it is not a mandate, it may be useful to attach the confirmed hotel reservation for your stay in Singapore.
7. Please note that the consulate retains the right to ask for additional documents as deemed necessary.

How to apply Singapore visa online?

To apply Singapore visa online from India, applicants can submit their visa application online using the e-Service through a strategic partner, agency or a local contact in Singapore. The government of Singapore has authorised several agencies to apply for Visas for Indian travellers. The complete list in different cities can be found in the link. The authorized visa agents charge a fixed price of INR 300. However, certain portals charge an additional convenience charge if they offer to pick up your documents and drop them off your visa.

Steps to apply Singapore visa online:

1. Download the pdf form of the application form and take a printout of it from the link.
2. Fill in the form carefully, mentioning the following details:

• Name as in travel document
• Alias
• Date of birth, marital status and sex
• Country of birth and state/province of birth
• Race: (such as Malay, Indian, Chinese, Caucasian, etc).
• Nationality
• Type of travel document held (such as passport, certificate of identity, document of Identity, etc).
• Travel document no.
• Issued and expiry date of travel document.
• Country and place of Issue.
• Address in Country of origin.
• Country, division, state, or province of origin.
• The prefecture of origin (zip code).
• County or district of origin.
• Permanent address and occupation in the country of origin.
• Highest Academic or Professional Qualifications Attained:
• Religion or Denomination
• Purpose of visit
• Date of intended arrival in Singapore.
• State how long you intend to stay in Singapore (up to 30 days or More than 30 days). In the event that your intended stay in Singapore exceeds 30 days, please state the reason for your intended length of stay and the duration.
• State the nationality of your spouses such as Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident, or others.
• Address in Singapore
• Mention where you will be staying in Singapore such as next-of-kin’s place, relative’s place, friend’s place, hotel, or others.
• Give details such as the block or house number, floor number, unit number, postal ode, street,  building and telephone number of the place of stay in Singapore.

 Past history of staying in Singapore

• State whether you have resided in other countries, other than your country of origin, for one year or more during the last 5 years. If yes, please furnish details such as Period of Stay and Country Address.
• Please mention if you have ever been refused entry into or deported from any country, including Singapore.
• State if you have ever been convicted in a court of law in any country, including Singapore.
• Indicate whether you have ever been prohibited from entering Singapore.
• State whether you have ever entered Singapore using a different passport or name.
• If you have answered “YES” for any of the above questions, please furnish details on a separate sheet of paper.

Step 3: Take the filled out form and the required documents to the agency office for submission. Applicants are advised to apply for an entry visa to Singapore 30 days prior to their intended date of arrival in the country.

Singapore visa fees

Following are the Singapore visa fees:

Fees:

The fee for the visa to Singapore is S$30. This is a non-refundable processing fee and is payable online using a visa or MasterCard credit/debit card.

Processing time:

The average time for processing of visa applications is three to five working days (excluding the day of submission). However, some applications may take longer to process as each visa application will be considered on its own merits.

Singapore visa status

Collection of visa:

Once your application has been approved, your strategic partner, local contact in Singapore, or authorized visa agent will be able to use the e-Service to print a copy of your e-Visa. You will then receive instructions to pick up your visa from the agency office.

After you submit the application for a Singapore visa, you can check the status of the application using the application reference number provided by the authorized visa agent. The process for checking your visa status is described below:

• First, the applicant must visit the official website at https://www.ica.gov.sg/
• Next, click on the option ‘Check Status/Make Appointment’ on the left panel.
• Click on the option ‘Check Status of Online Application- Entry Visa’.
• Next, click on ‘Enquire Application Status’.
• A screen will redirect you where you must enter the visa reference number and travel document number.
• Next, click on ‘Submit’.
• On the corresponding page, the system will display the status of the application. If the application status is approved, you are allowed to click on ‘Proceed’ to obtain a copy of the e-visa.

What can you bring to Singapore?

1. Currency –

If you are entering or leaving Singapore with Physical Currency exceeding $20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), you must complete the Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Report (Traveller) or NP727 form.

You can download the forms from the Singapore Police Force website and pick them up at all police checkpoints and establishments in Singapore.

Upon arrival in Singapore, applicants must submit the completed form at the Customs Red Channel, and upon departure, at the immigration counters.

Applicants may gather more information about this by visiting the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) website.

Note – The term ‘Physical currency’ refers to coins and printed money. Examples of bearer negotiable instruments include a bill of exchange, promissory note, cheque, money order bearer bond, and postal order.

2. Prohibited and Controlled Goods –

Importing the following items into Singapore is prohibited. These include:

• Chewing gum (except dental gum and gum for medicinal use)
• Carrying or chewing tobacco and artificial tobacco products
• Cigarette lighters in the shape of a revolver or pistol
• Psychotropic substances and controlled drugs
• Firecrackers
• Obscene articles, publications, videotapes, videodiscs and software
• Reproductions of copyright publications, videodiscs, videotapes, laserdiscs, and records.
• Seditious and treasonable materials.

Items categorized as ‘controlled goods’ are those that require an import authorization or permit from the relevant controlling authority for importation into Singapore.

3. Transfer of Remains for Cremation or Burial to Singapore-

If a death occurs overseas, you should immediately notify the relevant foreign authorities where the death occurred for registration.

In case you wish to transfer human remains from overseas to Singapore for cremation or burial, you will require a permit from the National Environment Agency.

At Immigration

1. Baggage Clearance/Dual-Channel System

Overview –

The dual-channel system at Immigration allows airport checkpoints to quickly clear travelers upon arrival. It includes the Red Channel and Green Channel.

Applicants must note that if an ICA officer at a checkpoint wishes to examine your baggage, you must open, unpack and repack it yourself. This process gives you full control over your belongings and also prevents any unintentional damage to your baggage.

Various channels for Immigration

Green channel –

Applicants who are not carrying dutiable, controlled, or prohibited goods are permitted to proceed to the Green Channel. However, ICA officers retain the right to conduct checks on visitors’ baggage. If authorities find any undeclared dutiable, controlled, or prohibited goods in your possession, you may face fines or prosecution.

If applicants require more information on Dutiable Goods, Duty-Free Allowance or GST Relief, they must visit the Singapore Customs website.

Red channel –

Applicants carrying dutiable, controlled, or prohibited goods are permitted to proceed to the Red Channel. You must declare all dutiable goods, controlled goods or prohibited goods at the Red Channel when you arrive at the checkpoint. You must show these goods along with your import licence, or authorisation, to an ICA officer for examination, and seek Customs clearance. Applicants must note that making a false or incorrect declaration is an offence.

In the event that you do not have the import licence or authorisation, an ICA officer will retain the item and send it to the relevant authority for approval. Once the relevant authority has issued approval for bringing it into Singapore, you will receive a warehouse deposit receipt to claim your item.

2. Bio Screen Fingerprinting System –

Overview –

To enhance security at ICA checkpoints, Singapore has introduced the BioScreen fingerprinting system. BioScreen enables ICA to capture the thumbprints of arriving and departing travellers to verify their identities.

Under this system, all travellers above the age of six using the manned counters at immigration checkpoints must scan their thumbprints on arrival and departure.

Foreign Visitors –

You must scan your thumbprints each time you arrive or depart the country if you are a foreign visitor to Singapore.

If you use this system and depart using the automated lane, your passport will not have a departure immigration endorsement and your embarkation card will not be collected. However, you will have to go through BioScreen clearance and will have your passport endorsed with a departure stamp if you use a manned immigration counter.

Extension of Singapore visa

In the event that tourism or medical visitors to Singapore require a longer period of stay beyond the Visit Pass granted on entry into Singapore, they may submit an application for an extension of stay. You cannot submit this more than 89 days from the date of entry, and you can apply for it online using the e-Service.

1. Eligibility

You will need to fulfil all of the following conditions to submit an application online using the e-Service:

• You wish to extend your stay in Singapore for not more than 89 days from the date of entry
• Your official Visit Pass has a remaining validity of more than three days, excluding weekends and public holidays
• You will not return to Singapore within five days from the departure date of your current trip

Note that the approval of applications submitted using the e-Service does not require a physical endorsement.

2. Documents Required –

You will need to have the following documents ready for submission of online applications using the e-Service:

• Your travel document (e.g. passport) with at least 6 months validity. A copy of the travel document’s personal particulars page has to submit at ICA.
• Authority will grant Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card with a valid Visit Pass on entry into Singapore
• If you are a foreigner with family ties where your immediate family members are Singapore citizens or permanent residents, you will have to submit original supporting documentary evidence to establish the relationship
• A Visa credit card, a MasterCard credit or debit card or a valid Internet Banking account in Singapore with DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank, for payment (if applicable)
• Form V75, duly endorsed by a registered doctor in Singapore, stating the details of the illness and the period of stay required if you are seeking an extension of stay for medical treatment
• You may have to submit additional documents . They may request you and your local sponsor to attend an interview.

3. Procedure –

All extension applications must be submitted online using the e-Service, at the URL.

In the event that you are unable to submit an Extension of Short Term Visit Pass application online, you can send an email to ICA_Visit_Pass@ica.gov.sg for further assistance.

A security deposit may be required from your local sponsor. If needed, your local sponsor will receive advice regarding the amount and the method of payment required for the security deposit.

4. Fees –

Upon approval, you will need to pay the following fees:

S$40 per extension

An extension fee of S$40 is applicable when the current valid pass accumulates to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/ issuance of pass. For every subsequent extension of stay accumulating to 3 months or more, the fee is chargeable.

S$30 per visa (foreigners requiring a visa)

A visa fee of S$30 is applicable if the applicant has resided in Singapore beyond the visa-free period.

What are the payment methods available for Singapore visa fees?

• Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
• American Express (AMEX) credit card
• Internet Direct Debit using Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank Internet Banking accounts in Singapore.

NOTE:

Your Singapore visa application might get rejected for different reasons, including insufficient documentation. Therefore, do not overlook this aspect when applying.

FAQ’s