Anytime you hear about Singapore, there is one phrase that is always repeated: that Singapore is a ‘melting pot of cultures.’ It is indeed so.
Within Singapore, you get to witness Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnicities and their local life more prominently showcased than other international diasporas settled here. Their impact is seen everywhere in Singapore attractions, the food scene, and even in daily commutes. Hence, Indians feel at home and less stressed while visiting this destination.
They find the food, culture, and climate to their liking and love the vibe of Singapore city and its fascinating attractions. For this specific reason, most Indians choose Singapore packages as their top option when travelling to Asia. However, Indian travellers looking forward to visiting this Asian destination must certainly know about the Singapore visa requirements from India. Here’s a short guide to get you acquainted with them.
Singapore Visa for Indian Tourists – What to Know
When planning a Singapore trip, a Singapore visa is required unless you belong to a visa-exempt country. For Indian passport holders, a Singapore visa is required prior to arrival in the country.
A Singapore visa for tourism and social visits is simply called a Singapore Entry Visa. This visa can be obtained 30 days prior to your departure date, in a single or multi-entry type. The validity would range from one to two months or up to two years. The duration of your stay is decided by the officials at the Singapore Embassy.
With a Singapore Entry Visa, the visa holder can only visit the country for tourism, social or business meeting or events purposes. The visa holder should not carry out any activity that can gain them revenue from their visit.
Singapore Visa Requirements – Two Crucial Things to Remember
Before starting your Singapore visa process, you should review your passport and make sure that it remains valid for more than six months beyond your planned travel dates in Singapore. This is crucial. If you have a passport that does not fulfil this requirement, your visa will be rejected. Hence, if you do not have enough validity and pages on your passport, it would be wise to get the passport renewed before applying for a Singapore visa.
Now, once you know you have no issues with your passport, the next step would be to get in touch with a visa expert or a local contact in Singapore who can apply and acquire a visa on your own behalf. For a Singapore visa, you can only apply through an authorised visa agent or a resident in Singapore who has a Permanent Residence permit or is a citizen of the country. You cannot apply for the visa yourself online and submit it to the Embassy. Search for a well-reputed visa service provider who is an expert in handling Singapore visas so that you can get all the aid and solutions to any doubts you have regarding your visa and simplify your visa experience.
Singapore Visa Documents Requirement
The next step would be the documentation. For your Singapore visa, you will be required to submit:
- A duly filled and signed Form 14A, which is the basic application for a Singapore Entry Visa.
- A recently clicked colour photograph that aligns with the Singapore Visa Photo guidelines. In a nutshell, the photo should not be older than three months from your departure date. The size should be 45mm x 35mm, clearly taken against a plain background. All facial features should be visible.
- You would also be required to submit your passport biodata page that shows six months or more validity.
A return flight ticket is essential to show that you will exit the country after the purpose of your visit is complete. - Bank statements of the last six months will also be required to be presented as proof of sufficient funds for your Singapore stay.
- A Letter of Introduction (Form V39A) may also be required if your visa demands it.
- Travel and health insurance, and a travel itinerary mentioning your place of accommodation in Singapore, will further strengthen your visa case.
- Additionally, you may need to provide proof of your employment or a letter from your employer confirming your leave. These documents help establish your intent to return to your home country after your visit. Submitting all required documents accurately and on time can significantly increase your chances of visa approval.
Singapore Visa Fees
The Singapore visa cost for Indians is SGD 30 per visa, which will be applicable for the processing of the visa. This can be paid online with international credit cards. The visa fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of your visa status.
Visa Processing Time
The Singapore Consulate will pick up your visa for processing only 30 days before your travel date. The consulate is quite efficient and will declare your visa status within five to seven working days. However, other factors, like peak vacation times, festivals, or school holidays, or incomplete or wrong documentation, can interfere with the processing time and cause a delay. Each visa case is unique and is dealt with singularly, and has consequences based on that. Nevertheless, you should always, as a thumb rule of visa procedures, apply for a visa one month prior to your travel date to avoid last-minute hiccups or fear of rejection.
Once your visa is processed and approved, it will be sent to your registered email address as a digital copy. Your passports will be returned to you without any stickers or stamps on them. The digital copy acts as your Singapore visa, which you need to present at the immigration counter during your journey.
Points to Remember
- A little preparation and planning go a long way. Knowing the basic requirements and providing the proper, exact documentation all work in favour of getting a Singapore visa on time.
- The Singapore visa is quite straightforward to apply for. All you have to do is provide the paperwork in an orderly manner, without any errors or discrepancies. When your visa application form and documentation are transparent, giving a clear picture of your travel purpose to Singapore, you will have no issues with getting a visa approved.
- Don’t forget to fill out and submit your Singapore Arrival Card. You can fill it out online and submit it up to three days before your arrival date. This is a mandatory requirement. Otherwise, you will have to face delays in Immigration Clearance once you reach Singapore Airport.
- Check your visa validity. Overstaying in Singapore can lead to hefty fines, deportation, and a ban from any future travels, depending on how long you have overstayed your visit in Singapore. Make sure you abide by the law and stay protected against unnecessary legal troubles and penalties.
- Even with the best visa experts at your disposal promising you on-time, guaranteed visa approval, there are chances of a visa getting rejected for reasons not known. This is something you should be prepared to accept, as all visa applications are at the discretion of Embassy officials.
- The final decision to grant or deny a visa is entirely their choice, and it cannot be reversed or challenged. If your visa is rejected, you can still reapply and wait for a positive response. This is why it is important to obtain your visas at least 30 days before your trip.
Conclusion
Getting a Singapore visa isn’t an overwhelming task. In fact, it is structured efficiently for applicants to apply easily and get timely results of the visa status. The key rule is to ensure you present exactly what the consulate wants to see: that you are a tourist visiting Singapore, can take care of yourself while in this foreign land, and will return to your country after your visit. The documentation and photographs are usually what make or break your visa case. Sort it out, keep it in order without any room for error, double-check everything, and just submit it to the Singapore visa specialist. Then, all you need to do is wait for the result and start packing for a wonderful trip in Singapore.
