Singapore Visa from Dubai – Need to Know Before Apply
- If you are a citizen of the UAE, an Emirati, you will not require a visa before traveling to Singapore; you’ll obtain one visa upon arrival. However, if you are an ex-pat living in the UAE, you’ll need a tourist or business visa to travel to Singapore. You’ll need to apply for your Singapore tourist visa at least a month before your planned trip to this enchanting island, and we’re here to help you.
- Also, you don’t need a visa to travel to Singapore if you’re a citizen of the USA or of a European country that’s mentioned in the visa exemption list. This remains the case even if you reside in the UAE at the moment. However, people from non-exempt countries and in the UAE require tourist visas to travel to Singapore.
- Whether you are traveling to Singapore for a few days or a week, the city-state promises you the most exciting experiences. Check out our guide on 24 hours in Singapore for more inspiration.
Who Needs A Singapore Visa From Dubai?
If you’re an ex-pat living in the UAE but belong to one of the countries listed in the Level 1 or Level 2 group, you must apply for a Singapore tourist visa. However, citizens of Level 1 countries do not need to get the actual visa stamped on their passports to travel to Singapore. They can obtain an e-visa that must be printed only by an authorized visa agent. For citizens of Level 2 countries, a full visa stamp on their passports is a must if they travel to Singapore for tourism.
- Level 1 Countries
India, Myanmar, Ukraine, Russia, China, Georgia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Liberia, the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Turkmenistan, Sierra Leone, and holders of the Hong Kong Document of Identity
- Level 2 Countries
Bangladesh, Morocco, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, Pakistan, Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, temporary UAE residents, and people with Palestinian Authority Passport or refugee travel document issued by Middle-East countries.
Documents Required for Singapore Visa from Dubai
Here is the list of required documents you need to submit along with your Singapore tourist visa application.
- Download the 14A form, fill it out without mistakes, and sign it.
- A photocopy of your passport (first and last pages) showing the validity of at least 6 months after your trip’s duration is required. Please make sure your passport has at least two blank pages for stamping.
- One recent visa-sized color photograph taken against a white background, to be submitted along with the documents. Write your full name in clear block letters on the back of the photograph as it appears on the passport.
- Also, provide a letter of introduction from a local Singaporean and a photocopy of your sponsor’s identity card.
- If you’re holding a job in the UAE, please obtain a NOC letter from your employer, giving details of your salary, position, and purpose of travel.
- Submit visa service fee, along with the application form, in cash only.
- Provide confirmation details of your hotel bookings in Singapore. If you plan to stay at a Singaporean’s house, submit your host’s complete postal address, phone number, and a photocopy of his ID card
- Submit your travel itinerary plus photocopies of your flight tickets, including your return tickets.
- If you’re a citizen of a Level 1 country, your e-visa will be ready in about 3 to 4 business days. If you’re a citizen of a Level 2 country, it will take at least 5 to 7 business days for your visa to be processed and stamped on your passport.
Singapore Visit Visa from Dubai: What You to Need to Know While Applying for a Visa
- There should be no errors or overwriting in your visa application form while you’re applying for a Singapore visa in Dubai.
- Even a tiny mistake or information discrepancy (details not matching your passport, for example) can cause your visa application to be delayed or rejected.
- You need to submit all the documents indicated in the list of supporting documents section, or your application will be rejected.
- Once the application is submitted, your service provider will conduct your Singapore visa status check in Dubai.
- The Singapore Visa Issuance Authority has the right to change visa application rules or lists of documents at any time. You must obtain the latest information and ensure you don’t delay submission.
- In the case of a visa application rejection, your visa service fee is non-refundable.
- Note that the Singapore Visa Issuance Authority is not entitled to provide any reason for rejecting your visa.
Important Note
- A Singapore visa in and of itself does not guarantee your entry into Singapore. When you land at the airport, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will decide whether you can enter the city or not. The ICA will check your passport and determine the duration of your stay.
- Let’s say you were planning to stay in Singapore for three months. You can mention this to the ICA authority examining your passport, but you may or may not receive the grant to stay for 90 days in Singapore. The ICA has the authority to cut your planned stay to 30 days if it sees fit. Your visa’s validity does not guarantee the duration of your stay; it only specifies the amount of time for which the visa itself is valid.
How to Apply for a Singapore Visa from Dubai
- You can submit the visa application form with all the supporting documents at the Consulate-General of The Republic of Singapore in Dubai.
- Alternatively, you can submit your application to Rayna Tours, a reputed tour and travel agent based out of the UAE, who will facilitate your Singapore tourist visa in Dubai.
Applying For Your Singapore Tourist Visa in Person
Before submitting your visa in person, you must follow these regulations by the Consulate-General of The Republic of Singapore.
- Read the security regulation notices before you visit the Visa Application Centre at the Singapore Consulate.
- Keep the purpose of the visit clear in your mind; do not provide two or three different variations of your purpose during your face-to-face with the visa staff.
- The visa staff cannot guide or advice you to choose the right visa category. They are not authorized to tell you whether you’ll be granted a visa or how long the process will take. These aspects are the consulate’s prerogative, so you’ll just have to wait and see. Do not ask the administrative repeat questions in this regard.
Post-submission Tracking And Follow-Up
- Tracking Application Online: After the visa staff has accepted your application for processing, you’ll be issued a unique VAC (Visa Application Center) Reference Number. You’ll find this number in the invoice receipt you receive after submitting your visa application. You can contact our team or use your unique reference number to track your visa status online. Do not visit the consulate to inquire about your visa status. Alternatively, if you’re using a travel agent, feel free to approach them for your visa status.
- Picking Up Your Passport: You will receive email alerts the moment your application process is complete, and your passport is ready for collection. You can pick up your passport or wait for the courier SMS alert. Take the original visa fee receipt and your Emirates ID card (original) when you collect your passport.
- E-visa: If you are entitled to an e-visa, a link to the secure visa document will be emailed to you; you need to print it out and use it for your travel.
Singapore Visa Processing Time and Fees
The processing time for a Singapore visa is somewhere between two to three days. If you are in a hurry, you can opt for rush or super rush processing time, where you receive your visa within 18-24 hours at an extra cost. The prices for a Singapore visa are as follows:
- Single Entry Tourist Visa – 250 AED
- Multiple Entry Tourist Visa – Contact us for the price.
Reasons Why Singapore Visa Applications Get Rejected
Rejection of your Singapore visa application can be disheartening, especially if you have been looking forward to your trip. However, knowing the common reasons for rejecting the Singapore visa application would be helpful.
- A visa can be denied for those with passports whose validity is less than six months from their travel date to Singapore.
- If you already have a valid Singapore visa, your new application would be rejected. You would have to wait for the old one to expire before you apply again.
- If you fail to provide all the documents requested by the Embassy, your application is likely to be rejected. In the same way, people presenting false documents would also not receive a visa to Singapore.
- If your documents are in a regional language, make sure to convert them in English before submitting them. Otherwise, your visa application will be rejected.
- You need to provide enough evidence to prove that you would return to Dubai or your home country after your holiday in Singapore.
- People with a criminal record would be denied entry into Singapore.
All About Singapore
Once you get a Singapore visa, it is time to travel. But do read the important things to know about Singapore to have an amazing holiday.
- Best Time to Visit Singapore
Singapore has a hot and humid climate throughout the year. Moreover, it could rain anytime during the year. However, the months between February and August are considered the dry season, when you would experience the least rain. Hence, this is the best time to visit Singapore. Still, you can expect downpours during this time too. However, they are usually light and do not last long, unlike the rains during the wet season, between September to January.
- Where to Stay in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most expensive countries in the world. So, it would be easy to find luxury accommodations anywhere in the city if you are ready to pay for it. Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Bugis & Kampong Glam, Sentosa Island, etc., are some areas where you would find some of the best mid-range and luxury hotels. However, the city still has budget-friendly options. In fact, you would find some great budget hotels in Chinatown, Little India, The City Centre, and Geylang.
- Traveling Tips to Singapore
Here are some crucial tips for Singapore that would make your holiday hassle-free:
- Taxis in Singapore are expensive. However, public transportation like buses and metros (MRTs) are reliable, cheap and the fastest way of traveling.
- Carry sunscreen and a reusable water bottle wherever you go. Rather than buying a new bottle of water when your bottle gets empty, refill the existing one with tap water.
- While there are several Michelin star restaurants in Singapore, eat from the local street and hawker streets for authentic Singapore food at cheap rates. Also, the food is cooked in hygienic conditions here.
- Carry lightweight cotton clothes while traveling to Singapore. However, do not forget to pack a light rain jacket or an umbrella.
- Chewing gum is banned in Singapore. So, don’t carry any with you, unless it is prescribed by a doctor. In this case, you need to carry a letter from the doctor.
- Littering is an offense in Singapore. If you are caught littering, you will have to pay a hefty fine.
- Drinking in Singapore is an expensive business. If you want to enjoy your favorite drink, opt for happy hours.
- Singapore is a city with an extremely low crime rate. Moreover, the city is safe, even for solo female travelers. You can easily explore the city on your own, even at night, without facing trouble.
- Tipping is not necessary in Singapore.
Conclusion
Singapore is a vibrant, dynamic, and welcoming city. With plenty of things to do in Singapore, it is almost every traveler’s dream to spend quality time here. However, Singapore has very strict rules in place with regard to littering on the streets, drunken and disorderly behavior, and the carrying of ID cards on one’s person. Be sure to follow all the regulations if you want to return to Singapore at a later date. Any non-compliance while within Singapore may result in the rejection of future visas.
