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How to get a Singapore Visa in 2019?

Description

Getting a Singapore visa is essential for visiting, travelling, and working in the country. The country has streamlined all the visa to ease the burden on tourists.

Located strategically in the straits of Malacca, the country of Singapore has been the centre of trade, commerce and shipping since the Middle Ages connecting Asia kingdoms with Arabia and Europe. Since 1869, the state of Singapore was a British Crown Colony for nearly a century during. With the increase in ships plying between Europe and East Asia the port of Singapore became a major port of call allowing the goods for disembarking, sorting and reshipping making the colony a hub for export.

After independence from the British in 1965, the state was formed as the Republic of Singapore which became sovereign, democratic and an independent nation. After that, the country commenced to survive and prosper on its own by creating a strategy for development. Essentially the policy was to take advantage of Singapore’s strategic location, the favourable world economy, and human capital to develop a business-friendly environment to succeed in the international arena.

What is a Singapore Visa?

Singapore Visa is an essential travel document that is required for a foreign citizen to enter into the Republic of Singapore for visit, travel and work. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues the Singapore visa after an individual applies for it with correct support documents and pays the visa fees.

Entering and travelling in the country is allowed for the permanent residents, citizens and holders of Singapore visa according to the laws. In some cases, the visa must be obtained by the visitor before coming to Singapore or visa is issued to the visitor at the time-of-arrival; this depends upon the nationality and purpose of the visit of the individual.

Singapore Visa Policy 

Currently, citizens of almost eighty per cent of the countries can enter into Singapore without a visa depending upon the nationality of the individual, with the home country passport the individual is eligible to travel to Singapore without a visa for a period of thirty days or ninety days (depending on the nationality). Furthermore, certain countries are categorised as level 1 by Singapore immigration are eligible applying for the electronic visa with valid documents (E-Visa) which arrives within a day before entering into Singapore.

Visa Free Travel Eligibility for Passports of

  • All passport of the countries in the European Union
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • United States

Assessment Level 1 Country

The citizens having ordinary passports of the assessment level one countries can apply for Singapore visa (i.e., e-Visa) and expect the visa to be issued within 24 hours as these countries are recognised and categorised exclusively by the Singapore Immigration based on the number of visitors, frequency, and diplomatic relations with the foreign nation. This holders of passports from these countries can travel into Singapore with the printout of e-visa or the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus China Georgia
India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova North Korea
Russia  Tajikistan Ukraine Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
Hong Kong Document Identity for Visa Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Permit

 

Assessment Level 2 Countries

The passport holders of the which are not mentioned in the above nation’s list are required to obtain a visa in advance before entering into Singapore for tourism, travel and business. These visas are usually issued in 3-5 days.

APEC Business Travel Card

The holders of passports from Visa-free countries and Assessed nations who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the (SGP) code referring to Singapore are allowed visa-free entry into the country for business trips up to 60 days.

Types of Singapore Visa

The government of Singapore has segregated the visas according to their purpose. However, if you want to work, stay as a dependent resident or participate in Singapore the visa is transformed into permits and passes.

One should apply for a visa if he/she needs to enter into Singapore or visit the country with the purpose of tourism, medical treatment, social visit, and business. Each of these visas has a validity depending upon the type, nationality and purpose. Finally, the visa allows the individual to enter into Singapore along with a valid passport of the home country at the time of entry. 

  1. Tourist Visa
  2. Medical Visa
  3. Social Visit Visa
  4. Business Visit Visa

Singapore Visa on Arrival Program

The visa on arrival program is extensively designed allowing foreign passport holders to obtain Singapore visa after landing in Singapore. Currently, the Republic of Singapore offers visa on arrival to citizens of certain countries. However, granting of Singapore visa depends upon the assessment and discretion of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer at the point of entry.

Singapore Transit Regulations

Individuals transiting from home country or third country through Singapore International Airports are allowed visa-free entry into the transit is provided they possess a valid passport, paid up airline ticket, and checked in the baggage without any implications. These

Singapore Work Permits and Passes

Permits and passes are essentially a type of visa with certain longer validity, with special permissions granted to the individual in Singapore according to the kind of pass and permit.

  • Employment Pass
  • Personalised Employment Pass
  • SingPass (Singapore Pass for Business people and Professionals)
  • EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass)
  • Corpas
  • Dependent Pass
  • Long-Term Visit Pass

Documents required for Applying to Singapore Visa

  • Possession of passport (with validity greater than six months)
  • Photocopy of Passport (First page, Last Page & any other relevant pages)
  • Two recent passport size photograph according to the Singapore visa rules
  • Six months bank statement
  • A cover letter which contains the purpose of visit, date of travel, mode of transport, details of the travel itinerary
  • Proof of the place of stay in Singapore (i.e., hotel or lodge booking or relative address)
  • If visiting a relative/family member, you might need a passport copy of the invitee

How to Apply for Singapore Visa?

we help you prepare the documents and assist you in applying the Singapore visa for tourism, travel and business. Contact Us for more information regarding the type of visa that you need for your journey. Our team is expert in handling visa applications for visitors, business people and investors to the Republic of Singapore. We also offer expert consulting on company incorporation, accounting and bookkeeping, payroll services and GST services in Singapore.

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Written by Michael Curry

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