Singapore Visa for Indians: Singapore, a vibrant city-state renowned for its cleanliness, safety, and modern infrastructure, is a popular tourist destination for Indians. To experience this cosmopolitan hub, you’ll need a visa. This comprehensive guide will help you with the process.
Singapore Visa Categories That Indians Can Apply for:
Besides the Tourist Visa, which Indian visitors more often apply for, several other visas are issued depending on the purpose of a foreigner’s stay.
Tourist Visa
Purpose: recreation, sightseeing or just visiting friends and relatives.
Duration: Usually, it is up to 30 days.
Requirements: Passport, tickets, accommodation details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Business Visa
Purpose: Participation in business meetings, conferences, or fairs.
Requirements: An invitation from an organizer or host company in Singapore, passport, tickets, accommodation details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Student Visa
Purpose: Studying in a Singaporean educational institute.
Requirements: Receipt of admission from the institution, finance-related documents, and other documents that may be required.
Employment Pass
Purpose: Working in Singapore.
Requirements: Job offer from a company in Singapore, work permit, and others.
Singapore Visa Application Process
Important Note: Singapore has stopped the walk-in procedure of the visa application. Any application has to be made with the help of Visa Agents only.
- Choose a Visa Agent: Choose an agent from the list of agents recognized by the Singapore Consulate General in Mumbai or New Delhi.
- Submit Application: Apply with the help of an agent who will type your information on the computer and put your application on the Electronic Visa system (E-Visa).
Singapore Visa for Indians: Document Requirements
- Duly completed Form 14A
- Original and copy of passport with passport validity of at least six months.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Return or onward ticket to be produced
- Original voucher (with a reservation number) of the hotel, where the person will be staying or an invitation from a company or organization.
- Financial documents (bank statements)
- Recommendation letter from a professor or employer, and if visiting friends or relatives or on business, a letter of invitation.
- Travel itinerary
- Medical insurance (Although it is not mandatory, it is highly advised)
- Any other documents that one may need depending on the visa type such as an admission letter for a student pass, or a letter of employment for an employment pass.
- Visa Fee
The visa will be delivered to the applicants electronically upon compliance with all the set conditions.
Singapore Visa for Indians: Fees
Visa Processing Fee: This is a mandatory fee levied by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). Currently, the visa processing fee for Indian citizens is INR 1800.
Service Charge: In addition to the visa fee, there is a service charge levied by the visa application centre (usually VFS Global). This charge can vary but is typically around INR 650.
Total Cost: The overall cost for a Singapore visa for Indian citizens is approximately INR 2450.
It will be beneficial to look up the most recent fee schedule on the Singapore Consulate General website.
Validity of Visa and Permissible Period of Stay
The allowed stay and the status of your Singapore visa depend on the type of visa you have. Generally, the tourist visa admits a stay of up to 30 days but there can be changes in the period of validity sometimes.
Essential Tips
- Apply in Advance: It is suggested to go for a visa application 30 days before the date of your journey to Singapore.
- Check Visa Requirements: Before applying for the visa, ensure that you are at par with the requirements.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is highly encouraged for extra measures but is not a mandate.
- Singapore Customs: Understand that Singapore has stringent laws on what is allowed to be imported and exported. Products such as chewing gum and e-cigarettes are banned.
- Public Transport: As for the transportation of people, Singapore is known for efficient public transportation. One should consider acquiring a tourist pass to avoid complications while choosing a mode of transport.
- Currency Exchange: It is advisable to exchange most of your Indian Rupees for Singapore Dollars before you travel to avoid the stress of exchange in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I intend to reside in Singapore for a few more months, could I know the procedure to get my visa for this country extended?
For extension, the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) should be contacted and provided with valid reasons and documents.
Do I require a visa for transit in Singapore?
You may be a candidate for the Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) if your transit time is below 96 hours.
What should be the action if my visa application is rejected?
You can reapply with the corrected information. The agent will assist you.
Enjoy Your Trip!
Here is Singapore with a mixture of culture and modernity, and beauty found in the natural environment. Well, with good planning on which visa to acquire, one is assured of the holiday of their dreams.