Your complete guide to a Singapore visa for Indians
Singapore and India have a deep-rooted cultural connection. Singapore is one of the two foreign countries with Tamil as an official language. Read on to learn more about getting a visa to Singapore for Indian citizens.
Do Indians need a visa for Singapore?
All Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Singapore. And all travelers will need to complete an SG Arrival Card before clearing immigration. Indian passport holders can download the visa application through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website or get it from an approved agent in India.
Types of Singapore visas
There are different types of visas for Singapore depending on whether you are traveling for tourism, work, or even just passing through en route to another country.
Singapore tourist visa for Indians
Singapore tourist visa is available for individual tourism, visits, and sightseeing tours. You can not work, study or earn money on a tourist visa in Singapore. Once issued, a tourist visa is valid for one to three months, but you can only stay in Singapore for up to 30 days per trip. If needed, the immigration authorities can extend the tourist visa to two years on a case-by-case basis.²
If you are visiting someone who lives in Singapore as a citizen or permanent resident, they can also help with your tourist visa application by applying as a local contact with SingPass.
Singapore work visa for Indians
All Indians who want to work in Singapore must have a work pass, also referred to as a work visa. The list of eligible applicants for a work visa includes:³
- Professionals.
- Skilled and semi-skilled workers.
- Trainees.
- Talent in the arts, culture, sports, or academia.
- Researchers.
- Migrant domestic workers or nannies.
- Family members of Indians working in Singapore.
- Businesspersons intending to start and operate a new business in Singapore.
Full-time higher education students are exempted from the work pass.
One important point to note is that the Singapore High Commission or Indian visa agents do not process or issue work passes. Instead, Singapore-based employers must submit the work pass application directly to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.
Singapore visa on arrival for Indians
Singapore does not offer a visa on arrival for Indian citizens.
Singapore transit visa for Indians
Indian citizens on their way to or from another country can enter the city of Singapore only if they have a Singapore transit visa. Otherwise, they are not allowed to leave the airport.
Eligible Indian travelers must have a valid visa issued by any of the following nine countries to qualify for the 96-hour Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF).
- Australia.
- Canada.
- Germany.
- Switzerland.
- Japan.
- New Zealand.
- Switzerland.
- The UK.
- The USA.
Though the VFTF allows entry into Singapore by land, sea, or air, the departure must be by air.⁴
How much does a Singapore visa cost in India?
All Singapore visas have a non-refundable visa processing fee of 30 Singapore Dollars.⁵
Singapore visa requirements for Indian citizens
Indian passport holders applying for a Singapore visa must submit the following documents:⁶
- A fully completed Form 14A signed by the applicant.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months after entry into Singapore.
- Two recent passport-size color photographs that meet the photo guidelines.
- A hotel or accommodation address in Singapore.
- Supporting documents like Form V39A (Letter of Introduction), if applicable.
In some cases, you may be asked to present additional documents like confirmed returned tickets, accommodation proof, bank statements showing the availability of sufficient funds, travel insurance, and COVID vaccination certificates.
Visa requirements for work visas will be provided by the Singapore-based employer.
How to apply for a Singapore visa from India
Indian citizens can apply for a Singapore visa from India by using an authorized visa agent of the Singapore Overseas Mission in India.⁷
Here are the steps:
- Gather your documents.
- Download the authorized visa agent in India.
- Contact the authorized agent for your area.
- Complete Form 14A and sign.
- Submit the documents to the visa agent.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- The agent will submit the documents to the High Commission for approval.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Singapore visa using the e-service module only if you have a strategic partner or a local contact in Singapore. The contact or partner will need to fill out an application, and it must be submitted at least 30 days before arrival in Singapore.
Once you have applied and received your visa, make sure to complete the SG Arrival Card within 72 hours before arriving in Singapore. It can be done online and is free of cost.
How long does it take to get a Singapore visa?
If all the documents are in order, the Singapore visa processing time is typically 3 to 5 working days after submission.
When can I apply for a Singapore visa?
Indian citizens must apply for a Singapore visa at least 30 days before they arrive in Singapore.¹⁰
Start your international journey with Wise
Sending money to Singapore? Check out Wise for sending money from India to bank accounts abroad. You can save money on international transfers with Wise's low transfer fee and the mid-market exchange rate, which is the same as the one you see on Google.
If you are already living in Singapore, take a look at the Wise multi-currency account available for residents living in supported countries. Enjoy an account as worldly as you are and spend just like a local when you travel abroad with a linked debit card, while also paying less in fees.
Please see the Terms and Conditions for your region and visit our pricing page for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information on Wise products.
Sources used for this article:
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Official Website
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Tourist visa
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Work Visa for foreign nationals
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Visa-Free Transit Facility
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Visa fees
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Visa requirements
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Applying from India
- Singapore Visa for Indians - Applying from Singapore
- SG Arrival Card
- When to apply
Sources verified on 7 June 2023.
Photo by Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
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