What documents will be required?

All travelers are required to go through immigration clearance upon arrival into Singapore.

The granting of social visit passes to visitors is determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry. Visitors must satisfy the following basic entry requirements before they are allowed to enter Singapore:

- A passport with at least 6 months validity
- Valid Singapore visa, if applicable
- Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Singapore
- Confirmed onward/return tickets (where applicable)
- Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.
- Completed Disembarkation/Embarkation Card
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable

The period of stay granted is shown on the social visit pass endorsement given on the visitor's passport. Visitors are advised to check their passports for the arrival endorsement and take note of the number of days stay given before leaving the checkpoint.

All visitors on social visit passes are not permitted to engage in any form of business, profession, occupation or paid employment while in Singapore.

Visitors are also reminded that it is a punishable offence to overstay in Singapore beyond the number of days given. If there is a need to stay beyond the period granted, visitors may apply for an extension of stay online via e-XTEND or at the Visitors Services Centre, 4th storey, ICA Building, before the social visit pass expires. Application for extension of stay is subject to approval.


Time required to issue visa:
From 4 days to 4 weeks. It is advisable to allow plenty of time.

What is the cost of a visa?
The current fee for a Singapore visa is S$30 per issue. There is no additional processing fee.

Business visitors and Social visitors
- S$ 40 for an extension of stay accumulating to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/issuance of pass. This fee is applicable for every subsequent extensions of stay accumulating to 3 months or more.

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

How long is the visa valid for?
A Social Visit Pass is valid for a maximum of 3 months

A successful Employment Pass applicant will be granted an Employment Pass valid for two years upon first approval and three years upon subsequent renewals.

A visitor on a Performing Artiste Work Permit is entitled to work for 6 months. If a longer work period is required, an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit should be obtained.

Other information:

Student Pass
A Student's Pass allows a foreigner to remain in Singapore for the purposes of study. A foreigner is required to apply for a Student's Pass if he/she has been accepted by an education institution to pursue full-time studies in Singapore, unless he/she is a:

- Dependant's Pass holder studying in a Government/ Government-Aided/ Independent school/ Foreign System School/ Kindergarten registered with MOE or Childcare centre licensed by MCYS;

- Immigration Exemption Order holder; or

- Visitor who has been granted a short term Social Visit Pass at the Singapore Checkpoint and wish to attend a short course that can be completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to him/her at the Singapore Checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter. The course must:
a) be a complete module and stand-alone module of its own. Courses with multiple programme modules are excluded from this Student's Pass exemption scheme; and
b) not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment which have interaction with walk-in customers or be conducted at premises that are also places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.

Depending on the type of education institution that a foreigner is intending to study in, the requirements and procedures for applying for a Student's Pass will differ. Please check with the education institution you intend to study with for more information:

Professional Visit Pass
With effect from 1 February 2008, the Professional Visit Pass (PVP) will be replaced by two Work Passes:

- Miscellaneous Work Pass: For foreigners entering Singapore for short-term assignments
- Work Permit (Performing Artiste): For foreign artistes performing at night-clubs, lounges, pubs, restaurants, hotels and country clubs

Foreign professionals/workers who wish to obtain more information and apply for a Work Pass should refer to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore.

For Professionals Issued with PVPs before 1 February 2008

Cancellation of PVPs
Foreign artistes issued with PVPs are required to surrender their valid PVPs to Visitor Services Centre, ICA, for cancellation within 7 days from the date of cessation or termination of their performances.

Refund of Security Deposit/Release of Banker's Guarantee
The ICA will refund the Security Deposit/release the Banker's Guarantee of foreign artistes issued with PVPs:
- After the foreign artiste's departure from Singapore is confirmed, AND
- There is no breach of any of the conditions stated in the security bond executed by the local sponsor

Generally, it takes about 4 weeks to process the refund of the Security Deposit/release of the Banker's Guarantee.

From ICA to MOM
On 1 February 2008, the Ministry of Manpower took over the PVP function from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and replaced the PVP with the Miscellaneous Work Pass and Work Permit (Performing Artiste).

Visa Services:

A company which specializes in providing visa processing and services for Singapore is Singapore Visa

Embassy Contact Information:

Please contact the nearest Singapore Embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Singapore.