How to get a Singapore Tourist Visa?

Singapore is a fantastic and charming country that’s great for short visits. With its culinary delights, multi-cultural population, art, light shows and public transportation, it should be in your radar if you have never considered visiting! It is also one of the most safest destinations to travel for women and it is family-friendly. Singapore is the first and only country that I have solo adventured in so far and I had the best time of my life. This beautiful country definitely ignited a travel spark in me like never before!

Do you need a Tourist Visa?

If your passport is from one of the countries mentioned below, then you require a Tourist Visa to visit Singapore.

Visa Free Transit

Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, India, The People’s Republic of China (PRC), Turkmenistan and Ukraine are eligible for a 96 hour visa free transit if you have the following documents.

• An onward air/ ferry/ cruise ticket departing from Singapore within 96 hours.
• A valid visa from any of these countries – Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK, USA. Singapore is an easy country to combine with other destinations that you are heading to in Asia. This won’t be possible if your Visa is expired and you are traveling to your home country for renewal! Your Visa needs to be valid at least for a month from the date of entry into Singapore. However you can consider visiting on your way back after getting your work Visa stamped on your passport.

More information on this here. If this does not apply for you, then you need a Tourist Visa.

How early should you apply?

You can only apply for the visa 30 days prior to your arrival in Singapore and not earlier. The best part is getting the Singapore tourist visa is very quick. It took only 3 days for me! You will receive an e-Visa is the email so you need not submit your passport.

Visa fee

You need to pay a $30 non-refundable fee excluding any fees paid to the Visa agent.

Ways to apply for a Tourist e-Visa

Applying for a Singapore e-visa is super simple and can be done in two ways. I will mainly be focusing on those who are applying for this from United States with a passport from one of the countries listed above. My case was specific to an Indian Passport. So please do research for your specific Passport.

1. A local contact in Singapore can apply for you on your behalf.
2. You can apply for the Entry visa through an authorized agent. This surprised me initially because you cannot apply by yourself and you will need a Visa agent to apply for you.

Required Documents

1. Completed and signed application Form14A. Fill out all the information in this document correctly since this will be used for the visa application. I printed out this form and filled out the details manually. You will need to book/ reserve your accommodation since the contact details of your stay is needed to fill out this application.
2. Passport (valid for at least 6 months) and a copy of your Biodata page.
3. Copy of your Visa and Work Permit copy if you are applying as a resident in a different country.
4. Employment Verification letter. This should be from your company with the official letterhead and your employment details.
5. Print out of Flight and Hotel bookings.
6. Letter of Introduction Form V39A. This may or may not be asked for, but it is good to carry it with you.
7. Passport size photograph following the specifications mentioned here.

Where to submit documents?

You can either find an agent at your home country or use an agent in your country of residence. I used VFS Global office in San Francisco. I use them for all my visa needs. They do have a processing fee. For Singapore Visa, the processing fee is 22 USD at VFS Global and it is non-refundable.

Once your Visa is processed, you will receive an e-Visa letter in the email. Make sure to give the correct email ID.

Ready to apply for your Tourist Visa? Head to this link to start the process.

Apply for SG Arrival Card

In addition to the Tourist Visa, you will need to submit the SG Arrival Card with health declaration up to 3 days before your arrival in Singapore. You can do that here.

At the immigration counter in Singapore, you will have to present both your travel documents as well as the SG Arrival Card PDF or the acknowledgement email that you received after submission. Do not forget to carry all your immigration documents such as work permit, work visa etc with you.

All set to Visit Singapore?

Read my blog post on visiting on all the best places in Singapore in 4 days!!

Hope this made things simpler for you. Singapore is an amazing destination so I highly recommend that you consider visiting!!