Singapore Visa for Indians

What is a Singapore Visa?

The Singapore entry visa is an official document that allows foreign visitors to enter and stay in the country for a specified time. As per the country’s visa policy, there are 15 countries under the Assessment Level I category, including India, where the citizens are eligible to get a Singapore eVisa. The Singapore Visa for Indians allows them to stay in the country for a maximum period of 30 days.

Is a Singapore Tourist Visa Mandatory for Indians?

Indian Passport Holders must obtain a Singapore tourist visa if they are visiting Singapore. The Singapore visitor visa for Indian facility is a convenient and easy way to get it. The visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore. Indians must present their e-visa and passport at the Singapore airport. Indian passport holders can get visa-free entry into Singapore for a maximum duration of 96 hours if they are transiting through Singapore to or from another country. Singapore on-arrival visas for Indian passport holders are not required for those who have an official, diplomatic, or service passport.

Indians can also get the Electronic Arrival Card, a facility introduced by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in August 2019. This card had replaced the traditional paper Disembarkation / Embarkation Card (DE Card). This single-entry card is applicable for travellers for up to 14 days per entry.

Types of Singapore Visa

Indians cannot obtain an on-arrival visa for Singapore. Therefore, they must apply for a visa before departing for the trip. Various Singapore visas are available, depending on the purpose of your visit to the country.

Non-Immigrant visa

A non-immigrant visa is a temporary visa that allow citizens to enter the other nation for a definte purpose and duration. Tourism, business, temporary work, study, and medical treatment are the major causes to apply for a non-immigrant visa.

• Singapore Tourist Visa: A Singapore tourist visa is required for travellers who are visiting the country for tourism or meeting family and friends.
• Singapore e-Visa: A Singapore e-Visa is an electronic visa that allows eligible travellers to enter Singapore without paper forms. An e-Visa is valid for up to two years, but stays are limited to 30 days.
• Singapore Work Visa: Foreign citizens require a Singapore work visa, which is a work pass or a work permit to work in Singapore. They must apply for a Singapore work visa online through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The portal allows you to easily access and check the Singapore visa online application.
• Business Visa: Those travelling to Singapore for business purposes, attending conferences, meetings, etc., should apply for a business visa.
• Employment Pass (E-Pass or EP): Business professionals or skilled persons with incomes above 3600 dollars per month can apply for a Singapore Employment Pass.
• Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass): Foreign entrepreneurs who have recently set up businesses in Singapore can apply for this visa. It is usually issued for one year.
• The S Pass: Mid-skilled workers earning a minimum of 2200 dollars per month should apply for the S Pass. This Singapore visa validity is for 2-3 years and can be renewed multiple times.
• Personalised Employment Pass: Employees who are not aligned with any particular employer can apply for this category. This Singapore work visa for Indians allows them to switch jobs as long as he/she is not unemployed for more than a 6-month period. The document is usually valid for 3 years and is not renewable.
• Singapore Visa for Study: A student willing to study in Singapore would require a Student's Pass, which can be applied through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
• Singapore Visa for Seminar: If you want to attend a seminar in Singapore, you will need a business visa. The normal processing time for a Singapore visa is about 3-5 working days after the application and documents are received.
• Singapore Visa for Workshop: You'll need a conference visa to attend a Singapore workshop. You can apply for a conference visa if you travel from India to attend a workshop, seminar, or conference.
• Singapore Visa for Training: Singapore offers a few types of visas for training, including the Training Employment Pass, Training Work Permit, and Work Holiday Pass.
• Singapore Visa for Internship: If you are a foreign citizen who wants to work as an intern or trainee in Singapore, you will require a Singapore internship visa, also known as a Training Employment Pass.
• Transit Visa: The Singapore transit visa allows travellers to stay in Singapore for up to 96 hours without a visa.

Immigrant visa

An immigrant visa allows a foreign citizen to permanently relocate to the other nation, granting them indefinite residency and work rights. The process for applying for an immigrant visa is processed by submitting a petition. You need to pay the general singapore visa cost for indian and provide an affidavit of support with financial documents.

• Dependent Pass: This type of visa is for dependents working in Singapore. To be eligible, the employee should earn at least 6000 dollars in the city.
• Permanent Residence Visa: Individuals planning to live in Singapore longer must obtain this visa.

Who is Eligible for a Singapore Visa?

• Indian Passport Holders with a valid passport are eligible to get a Singapore visa online or offline to visit Singapore.
• Indians must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of the visa they have applied for to get a Singapore visa.
• For a Singapore visa for Indians, individuals must have a duly filled Form 14A visa application. 
• A valid return ticket is mandatory to get a Singapore visa for Indians.
• All the payment processes should be complete, and proof of financial ability to support the traveller financially during their entire stay in Singapore is required to get a Singapore visa.
• Indians can also obtain the Electronic Arrival Card, a facility introduced by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in August 2019.

How to Apply for a Singapore Visa?

Indian Passport Holders are required to follow the below-mentioned steps in order to obtain the e-visa. Let us learn in detail the Singapore visa requirements for Indian citizens to apply for a Singapore visa online.

Apply online: You can apply Singapore visa online through the official website of the Ministry of foreign affairs, Singapore or through a reliable site such as VFS Global.

Submit the required documents: Fill up the online Singapore visa application with relevant details. To apply for Singapore visa, you need to complete the Form 14A, and update a recent passport-sized color photograph, photocopy of your passport's biodata and last page. You would also need to complete Form V39A (Letter of Introduction for Visa Application (LOI)).

Submit the Visa Fee: Submit the Singapore visa application along with the visa fees. Take a print-out of the e-visa or in-principal approval (IPA) letter.

When to Apply for a Singapore Visa?

As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, you must apply for a Singapore visa at least 30 days before your date of travel to the country.

You should submit your application at least one week before your trip during the non-peak season. It is advised to wait for the visa approval before to get the flight tickets.

The processing time for the visa application is generally up to five to seven working days. It is advised to check the application properly before submitting to avoid any chances of visa rejection.

Documents Required for Singapore Visa for Indians

The visa applicants are required to provide the following documents for getting a singapore entry visa:

• Form 14A, which is duly filled and signed
• Passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Copy of flight tickets (inbound and outbound)
• Proof of funds and proof of accommodation

In addition, other supporting documents may be required for the purpose of the visit. For instance, a letter of acceptance would be required from the school/ college in Singapore to apply for a Student Pass.

Form V39A (Letter of Introduction for Visa Application (LOI)) is required on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore Visa Fees and Processing Time

Several payment modes are available for the Singapore visa fees. You must pay the fee online or offline during the application process.

Those applying for a Singapore visa must pay a fee of $30 Singapore dollars, which is currently Rs. 1592.32. Authorised visa agents charge an additional service fee of Rs 300. The processing fee for a Singapore to India visa is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or if you withdraw the application after submitting it.

Disclaimer: Fees and charges are subject to change at the discretion of the Singapore ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority).

Singapore Visa Rejection Reasons

If a visa application is denied, the embassy sends a letter explaining the reason for the rejection. This is very helpful for rectifying mistakes while reapplying for a Singapore travel visa for Indians.

The Singapore visa application can be rejected for a number of reasons. Let us discuss them in detail:

• Passport: When the passport is not valid for at least six months from the date of return, or if it is damaged or invalid, your Sg visa application could be rejected.
• Application: In some cases, when the application form is incomplete or the passport number is incorrect, then you might have your Singapore or Sg visa rejected.
• Failure to Justify Purpose of Visit: Inability to provide a clear purpose for visiting Singapore, such as tourism, business, or visiting family may lead to visa rejection.
• Health Concerns: If you have a medical condition or communicable disease that may pose a public health risk, then your visa might get rejected.

Singapore Visa Extension

If you want to extend your stay in Singapore, you can apply for an sg visa extension. This process is called applying for a Short-Term Visit Pass Extension.

• It is mainly for tourists or short-term visitors who need more time to complete their trip, attend an event, or visit family.
• You must apply for the extension before your current pass expires.
• Applications can be submitted online using the ICA e-Service.
• You need to provide supporting documents, such as:
  • Your passport (valid for at least 6 months).
  • Your current visit pass.
  • Proof of your reason for extension (e.g., return ticket, proof of sufficient funds).
• A small processing fee is required to complete the application.
• Extensions are usually granted for 7 to 30 additional days, depending on the reason for your request.

Tips for Visa Application

• The local contact must meet certain criteria. The person must be either a citizen of Singapore or a permanent resident (PR) with a minimum age of 21 years.
• The photographs should have been taken in the last three months and should adhere to the specified guidelines.
• The validity of the Singapore or Sg visa defines the period for which the traveller may get entry to the country. The ICA officials decide the duration of one’s stay on duty at a particular checkpoint.

Tips on Currency Exchange for Singapore

Currency exchanges and Singapore Dollar exchange rates (SGD) have several facets. Before exchanging your currency for SGD, you should keep a few things in mind.

• Prepare by researching the mid-market exchange rate. Before you commit to a service, determine the true value of your home currency.
• Using an online currency converter, compare the exchange rate offered to the real rate. Check to see if the deal is truly fair.
• If possible, avoid exchanging money in or near airports and hotels. The deals on offer are generally not all that great.
• ATMs are a viable option. Check with your local bank to see if they have any partnerships with Singapore banks. Using those ATMs could save you a lot of money in Singapore or sg visa fees.
• Don't let foreign ATMs convert your money for you. Select the option to be charged in the local currency (SGD).

Embassy Details

Should I Buy Travel Insurance for Singapore?

Medical travel insurance is an important companion for your overseas trips. Although travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement to enter Singapore, it is highly recommended to ensure protection for unexpected situations such as missed or delayed flights, loss of baggage, or medical emergencies. This is because such situations can not only ruin your travel plans but also burden you with unwanted expenditures.

Hence, travel insurance for Singapore is a must for foreign visitors. Travel insurance policies such as ‘International Travel Insurance’ by Care Health Insurance offer destination-specific coverage for a wide range of medical expenses, including emergency hospitalisation, medical evacuation, personal accident, etc. In addition, they cover various expenses during non-medical exigencies such as misplaced or lost baggage, personal liability, loss of documents like passports, etc.

Benefits of Travel Insurance

International travel is thrilling, and everyone is always saving and planning for their next big adventure! A Singapore travel insurance policy shall protect you in the event of unforeseen circumstances and financial losses. Flight delays, passport loss, baggage loss, medical emergencies, adventure sports, and other mishaps are all covered by International Travel Insurance for Singapore.

• A travel insurance policy shall cover financial losses if you have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Reimbursement for non-refundable reservations of hotels and airlines is provided in times of trip cancellation.
• In the case of hospitalisation, benefits such as daily allowance, return of minor child, companion cover, etc., are also provided.
• Reimbursement for emergency transportation to and from the hospital, as well as treatment and medical supplies.
• In case your passport is lost, you can get a duplicate or a new one.

Please Note - Above mentioned benefits are for reference and the benefits of travel insurance may differ from one service provider to another.