Travelers wishing to enter Singapore should evaluate their own visa circumstances based on several factors, including:
- Their nationality
- The time they wish to spend in Singapore
- The reason(s) for their visit
Short-term travel can be accomplished on a tourist visa, which can be obtained online or through Singapore's diplomatic mission overseas. A tourist visa is usually issued within 3 working days from the date of application.
China and Singapore have signed an agreement on mutual visa-free travel.
The agreement allows visa-free travel for up to 30 days for tourism and family visits. Business trips and visits of more than 30 days will require visas.
PLEASE NOTE. If your stay in Singapore is less than 96 hours, please note the transit entry rules (Section: Transit rules)
If you have a travel document issued by one of the countries listed below, you will need a valid Singapore entry visa to travel to and enter Singapore:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Egypt
Georgia
India
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Moldova
Morocco
Nigeria
Pakistan
People's Republic of China (PRC)
Russia
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Tajikistan
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Yemen
You will also need a visa if you are traveling with such a document:
1. Refugee travel document. This travel document is subject to a recognition assessment for entry into Singapore
2. Foreigner's passport. This travel document is subject to a recognition assessment for entry into Singapore
3. Passport of the Palestinian Authority
4. Temporary passport issued by the United Arab Emirates
5. Identity document issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
6. Travel permit issued by the Macau Special Administrative Region
š” Advice for travelers to Singapore
Planning a trip can be a daunting task. Where to start? What is the first step to getting a visa? It's easy to get lost in the beginning - especially if you've never done anything like this before.
To save your personal time, we recommend using
Visit World's travel guide - a detailed step-by-step travel guide that provides basic tips on visa application, border crossing, and more. For more details,
follow the link.
To enter Singapore, travelers must meet the following immigration requirements:
1. Validity of the passport
If you are not a Singapore passport holder, you must have a valid travel document (minimum validity of 6 months at the time of departure)
2. Visa.
Short-term travelers who hold a passport or travel document from a visa country/region must apply for a visa. Select your country from the list and read the conditions and requirements for applying for a visa.
3. SG Arrival Card (SGAC)
All travelers must complete the SGAC declaration at least 3 days before arrival.
PLEASE NOTE. Only Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering through land checkpoints do not need to fill out the SGAC.
Apply for the SG Arrival Card through https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ or through the official MyICA mobile app, which is available for free download from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Beware of potential phishing sites if you choose to submit your SG Arrival Card through unofficial channels.
4. Security and immigration processes upon arrival
Make sure you do not bring any prohibited items into Singapore
Familiarize yourself with the immigration/customs procedures, including whether you are eligible for automated processing.
Short-term travelers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel (tickets, visas), and make sure you do not overstay your visa.
š” Tip: To ensure a successful trip to Singapore, take advantage of expert advice. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you avoid unpleasant situations during your stay abroad.
After the consultation, you can ask us additional questions. We are interested in the complete resolution of your case. Get a full range of legal services conveniently and quickly - order a consultation right now!
How to get an e-Visa to Singapore
It is recommended that you apply for an entry visa 30 days before your arrival in Singapore.
You can apply for a visa in one of the following ways:
- Online, through a local contact representative in Singapore or a strategic partner, using the ICA electronic service.
- At a diplomatic mission of Singapore (embassy/consulate).
Even if you fill out the visa application form and collect the documents yourself, you cannot apply for a visa to Singapore on your own. You need to find an authorized visa agent, strategic partner, or local contact in Singapore to apply for a visa to Singapore.
Authorized visa agents and strategic partners are travel agencies that have been authorized by the Singapore government to apply for visas. They can apply on your behalf through SAVE (Singapore Electronic Application for Visa) available on the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) website.
For information on how to contact a strategic partner, please contact your nearest Singapore representative office.
A local contact in Singapore is a person you know and trust in Singapore (citizen or permanent resident) who is authorized to register for SingPass and apply on your behalf. They must be at least 21 years old.
If you are applying through a Singaporean diplomatic mission, you will need to contact them for their requirements and application process.
The main list of documents required to obtain a visa to Singapore
1. Duly completed Form 14A signed by you. Your visa application is submitted based on the information provided in this form.
2. A passport-size photograph taken within the last three months
3. Your passport/travel document
4. A copy of the biometric data page of your passport, with a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of entry into Singapore
5. A photocopy of the booked air ticket or travel itinerary
Additional supporting documents may be required on a case-by-case basis.
š Please note!
To travel to Singapore, we recommend that you have health insurance. Insurance can be purchased on our website here.
Remember that a reliable insurance policy is the key to your confidence while traveling. Do not risk your own finances and health, choose insurance with a guaranteed payment and let your trip leave only pleasant memories :)
Once you have obtained your visa, you will be able to travel to Singapore, where Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers will determine whether you are eligible for entry and issue you with a pass.
Starting March 11, 2022, all international visitors arriving in Singapore will receive an electronic notification of their Visit Pass (e-Pass) via email. As the e-Pass will be sent to the email address on the SG Arrival Card, visitors are reminded to provide a valid email address. The e-Pass message will indicate the period of stay granted and the last day of stay allowed.
You can collect your e-Pass upon arrival by using the e-Pass Request Portal or check the validity of your pass using the Pass Validity Checker tool.
PLEASE NOTE that you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have visited any country with a risk of yellow fever transmission in the last six (6) days prior to arrival in Singapore.
Travelers must remain in quarantine for up to six (6) days after arrival if they are unable to comply with the requirement. The quarantine also applies to those who are not eligible for vaccination, such as children under one year of age and those with contraindications.
! You are not allowed to engage in any business, professional or remunerated activity while in Singapore.
! Overstaying is a punishable offense in Singapore. If you wish to stay beyond your allotted period of stay, you can apply for an extension online via the e-service or visit the Visitor Services Center on Level 4 of the ICA Building before your Visit Pass expires. Extension applications are subject to approval.
Do I need to apply for a transit visa to Singapore?
Citizens of countries that have signed a visa-free regime with Singapore do not need a transit visa.
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Citizens of 35 countries (see the full list of countries below) that do not have a visa-free regime with Singapore do not need to apply for a transit visa. They can apply for a 96-hour Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF):
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea
- Egypt
- Georgia
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Moldova
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- People's Republic of China (PRC)
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
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What is the Singapore Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF)?
Singapore has entered into an agreement with states that require a regular visa to enter the country. This agreement allows travelers transiting through Singapore to enter the country for up to 96 hours.
Visa-free transit is available for citizens of the following countries:
- Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
- Georgia
- India
- People's Republic of China (PRC)
- Turkmenistan and Ukraine
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Citizens of these countries who believe they meet the VFTF requirements must submit their case to the
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the point of entry. It is the ICA that reviews the application and decides whether to allow the traveler to enter Singapore. They have the right to refuse.
If you are approved for visa-free transit, you are allowed to leave the transit zone and stay in Singapore for a maximum of 96 hours. The period cannot be extended under any circumstances.
You can only use the VFTF once, either on a round trip or a return trip.
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Requirements for the Singapore Visa-Free Transit Facility
The requirements for obtaining a VFTF vary depending on your nationality.
1. If you are from India or the People's Republic of China (PRC), you are eligible for VFTF if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You are leaving Singapore by air or sea, regardless of how you arrived. This means that you must have a valid flight, ship or cruise ticket departing within 96 hours.
- You have a valid visa to one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Germany
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- The visa is valid for at least one month from the date of entry into force of the VFTF.
If you have a single-entry visa that has expired (i.e. you have already entered the country that issued it), you can still use the VFTF on your return flight. In this case, you must
- Depart directly from the country that issued the visa
- Stop in Singapore for transit.
- Return directly to your home country.
2. If you are a citizen of a country from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); Georgia, Turkmenistan or Ukraine, you are eligible for the VFTF program if you meet the following criteria:
- You are leaving Singapore by air ONLY, regardless of how you traveled.
- You have a valid airline ticket departing in the next 96 hours.
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In any case, when you apply for entry into the country through the VFTF, you must present the following documents to ICA staff:
A passport that is valid for at least another six months from the date of your departure from Singapore.
Your booked ticket for onward travel (flight or boat, as applicable).
A visa to a third country, if applicable.
Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Singapore.
A completed boarding/disembarkation pass.
Your pet will be quarantined upon entry into Singapore unless it came from a country Singapore deems rabies-free. Unless otherwise noted, the following rules apply to domestic dogs and cats only.
Microchip for pets
All cats and dogs entering Singapore from any country must first be identified with an unencrypted ISO-compliant animal microchip. If your pet's microchip does not meet ISO 11784/11785 standards, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
Categories of countries
Requirements vary depending on which country your pet has lived in for the past 6 months. Find your country category:
Category A: Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Great Britain.
Category B: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Japan, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Caledonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America.
Category C: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Korea (South), Latvia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, United States of America.
Category D: All other countries
Vaccinations
Rabies vaccination is not required when entering Singapore from a Category A country; however, other vaccinations are required.
If you are entering Singapore from a Category B country, your pet cat or dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before entry. It is necessary to pass a blood test for titer.
If you are entering Singapore from a Category C country, your pet cat or dog must be vaccinated against rabies more than 3 months before entry. It is necessary to pass a blood test for titer. If your animal was vaccinated more than 4 months before titration, it must be revaccinated after titration and no more than 30 days before departure.
If you are entering Singapore from a Category D country, your pet cat or dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 6 months before departure. It is necessary to pass a blood test for titer.
For dogs and cats entering Singapore from all countries:
For dogs 16 weeks of age and older, your dog must be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, and canine arbovirus at least 2 weeks before departure. For pets under 16 weeks of age, see step 8 below.
For cats 16 weeks of age and older, your cat must be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before export against Feline Influenza (Feline calicivirus and Feline viral rhinotracheitis) and Feline Enteritis (i.e. Feline Panleukopaenia/ Feline parvovirus).
Titer test for rabies
When entering Singapore from a Category B country, a rabies test must be performed more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination for dogs and cats entering Singapore.
When entering Singapore from Category C and D countries, a blood titer test must be performed more than 30 days after rabies vaccination and within 6 months of departure.
All rabies vaccinations must be up to date after the titration blood sample is drawn.
Health certificate
A veterinary certificate for Singapore must be completed by a licensed veterinarian within 7 days of entry. The certificate must be certified by your state USDA office if your animal is traveling from the US, and by your local CFIA office if your animal is traveling from Canada. If you are not traveling from one of these countries, the health certificate must be certified by your country's government authority responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Your pet's microchip number must appear on the health and rabies certificates.
For Category A countries, the health certificate must state that there have been no cases of rabies registered in the country for at least six months before the date of export.
Import licenses
You must apply for a dog license as well as an import license to the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) at least 30 days before your pet enters Singapore from any country.
Treatment from ticks and tapeworms
Before your cat or dog can enter Singapore from any country, it must be treated for internal and external parasites within 2 and 7 days of departure.
Quarantine
If your pet is entering Singapore from a category A or B country, it is not subject to quarantine provided all requirements are met. If your pet is entering Singapore from a Category D country, it is subject to quarantine for 30 days. If your animal is entering Singapore from a Category C country, the quarantine will be 10 days if the titration was done 4 months or more before entry and your animal was revaccinated after the test, otherwise, the quarantine will be 30 days.
The entire quarantine takes place at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station. Booking a place in quarantine must be made at least 3 months before entry.
Entry to Singapore
Pets must enter Singapore via Singapore's Changi Airport or Tuas Checkpoint from Malaysia.
Notification must be given at least 5 days before arrival at AVS so that they are ready to inspect the animal upon arrival.
If your pet is entering Singapore from a Category A or B country, you must also attach a declaration from the airline stating that the animal has departed from its category country, that there were no other dogs or cats on board from other category countries, and that there were no transfers in countries not included in this category. If a stopover must be made, prior AVA resolution is required and the animal cannot leave the secure area of the airport in the stopover country.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of signs of human-transmissible diseases upon inspection at the airport of entry. If your dog or cat is clearly unwell, an additional examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Transit through Singapore by air
Any pet transiting through Singapore Changi Airport with a layover of more than 4 hours is subject to inspection at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Station.
Pets changing airlines in Singapore will most likely have to clear customs and comply with the regulations above.
Puppies and kittens
Puppies and kittens can only enter Singapore if they come from a Category A country and must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of departure. In the case of a dog under sixteen weeks of age, your dog must be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, and canine arbovirus with at least two vaccinations four weeks apart, with the second vaccination at least two weeks before departure.
Prohibited breeds
The following dog breeds and their crossbreeds are prohibited from being imported into Singapore. Bengal and Savannah cats must be at least 5th generation.
There are also additional restrictions on owning the following breeds while living in Singapore: Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd and related breeds such as the Belgian Shepherd and East European Shepherd, Mastiffs, including Bully crosses between any of the listed above breeds and other breeds. Savannah cats must be bred in the 5th generation or higher.
Export of pets from Singapore
An export permit from AVS is required to take pets out of Singapore. All relevant documents for the country of destination must be provided.
All animals leaving Singapore and then returning are subject to the same requirements as animals entering Singapore for the first time.
Other animals
All small mammals entering Singapore must have a customs clearance, import license, and veterinary health certificate and must undergo a 14-day quarantine at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station.
CITES
If your pet is not a dog, cat, or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should make sure that it is not protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In this case, you will have to apply for additional permissions. More than 180 countries participate in and enforce the CITES Convention.
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