Are you planning a trip to Singapore from India? You must be thinking about when to apply and how many days in advance. The process of a Singapore visa for Indians is simple. We have answered all your questions about the Singapore tourist visa from India in this post.
The biggest hurdle for us Indians while planning to travel abroad is getting a visa. The hassle of securing a visa on an Indian passport subdues the idea of traveling abroad.
What if I say there’s no need to plow through the piles of paperwork and oodles of banal and archaic details for getting a visa?
Yes, Singapore, every traveler’s dream, goes easy on Indian passport holders. The process of a Singapore Visa for Indian citizens is as quick as it can get!
Singapore remains one of the desired travel destinations for Indian travelers. According to reports, Indians are the third-largest group of foreign nationals in Singapore.
Due to the increasing number of tourists visiting the island country from India, there’s always an immense rush for visa applications at SHC. The good news is that the visa process for Singapore is simple, smooth, and wonderfully streamlined for Indians.
Singapore High Commission has demarcated foreign nations based on the visa entry requirements into Level I and Level II assessment countries.
India belongs to Level I assessment countries.
Be informed that a Singapore visa on arrival isn’t an option for Indian citizens. The official, diplomatic, and service passport holders in India don’t need a visa to enter Singapore.
Let’s discuss the what, how, where, and why of the Singapore Tourist Visa.
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Singapore Visitor/Tourist Visa
What’s a Singapore Tourist Visa?
A Singapore Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant multiple-entry e-visa for a temporary visit for tourism and business purposes in Singapore.
Singapore Visa for Indians
How to get a Singapore tourist visa from India?
Getting a Singapore e-visa for Indians is relatively easy. Singapore High Commission doesn’t accept individual walk-in applications. SHC agrees with the visa application through local sponsors or certified agents only.
As discussed, there are two ways to get the e-visa for Singapore –
- Apply through a local contact (At least a 21-year-old Singapore citizen or a Singapore permanent resident) with a SingPass account. They can apply online via the SAVE (Submission of Application for Visa Electronically) system at ICA, print or collect the e-visa at ICA, and send it to you.
- Apply through a certified visa agent or strategic partner in India designated by ICA.
Authorized Visa Agents for Singapore Visa
Where do I get a list of authorized visa agents or strategic partners in India for a Singapore tourist visa?
The lists can be found on the consulate’s website. Below are the links for you to download the lists of Authorised Visa Agents (AVAs) designated by the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority of Singapore (ICA) –
Note: These lists get updated periodically. You can refer to the embassy’s website for the revisions.
The agents have been given SAVE strategic partner accounts, which they can use to submit applications online on behalf of the applicants.
We chose Cox & Kings in Delhi. The process was seamless. We got our e-visa with a 2-year validity in 1 working day.
Note: Always choose the authorized visa agents designated by ICA only. There are online agents like Musafir, VisaHQ, and many more that aren’t affiliated with SGH and charge an exorbitant service fee for the visa. ICA hasn’t authorized these online agents, plus they don’t even have the correct and complete information about the visa process (ask me how I know!). Sadly, when one searches the internet, these online agents are the first to appear. If someone isn’t aware of the process and the fee, they tend to rely on the process and fee. We have had our share of mistakes and learned from them. Based on my share of bad experiences, I thought of putting this here so that others don’t fall into the trap of these online agents.
Documents Required for Singapore Visitor Visa for Indians
What are the documents required for the Singapore tourist visa?
All the documents should be in English. If not, it should be officially translated into English from your regional language. The documents list includes:
Mandatory Documents
- Original Current Passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages and 6 months ‘ validity at the time of departure.
- Old passport, if any.
- A photocopy of the passport biodata page.
- Duly filled and signed Form 14A
- The two most recent (taken not more than 3 months before) color photographs with prescribed specifications by the ICA. Check the photo guidelines here.
Note: Paste one photograph on the visa form and sign it across. Attach another with a paper clip. Don’t staple.
Supporting/ Additional Documents
Singapore High Commission can request additional documentation on a case-by-case basis.
- A Cover letter addressing ‘The Embassy of Singapore or The Consulate General of Singapore’ that states the date of travel, number of travelers, the purpose of visit, itinerary details, and duration of stay in the country, and is duly signed by the applicant. Use plain A4 Paper, if employed, and use company letterhead with a stamp, if self-employed.
- Confirmed return flight tickets
- Address Proof if the address on the passport is different than the current address.
- Marriage Certificate, if the name of the spouse isn’t mentioned in the passport.
- An original Wedding Card is mandatory for couples going on a honeymoon.
- Bank Statements for the last 6 months, bearing the bank stamp and signature, to show sufficient funds for the entire period of stay in Singapore.
- Leave Letter (NOC) from the Company, a copy of employee ID, Salary Statements for the last 3 months, ITR for the previous 3 years, if employed.
- Company Registration Proof or Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Partnership Deed and a visiting card, if self-employed.
- Copy of the student ID card or Bonafide Certificate, Leave Letter from school or college, if a student.
- Retirement Proof, if retired.
- No objection certificate on 100 INR stamp paper and a copy of a passport or any ID proof from the non-accompanying parent, if a minor is traveling alone or is accompanied by one parent.
- NOC and a copy of the passport or any ID proof from the husband, if the wife is traveling alone.
- Form V39A (Letter of Introduction) and a copy of his or her ID card issued by the Singapore Government, if you are invited or sponsored by the local contact, or Hotel Booking Proof if staying in a hotel.
Singapore Visa Application Process
What’s the process of getting a Singapore tourist visa from India?
Choose an authorized visa agent from the list (shared above) of agents designated by ICA who can carry out the visa process on your behalf.
Once you have filled out and signed the downloaded visa application form and paid the visa processing fee online, contact the agent to submit the form plus documents.
The agent’s representative can pick up the documents from home at additional charges, or you can head to their closest branch along with the documents. Make sure to print the visa fee payment receipt.
One can download the visa application form from the ICA website or obtain it from the agent or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission, free of cost. Download 14A here.
After scanning through all the documents, the agent submits the documents on behalf of the applicant to the Singapore High Commission or through SAVE.
The visa agent can courier the e-visa print to your address, or you can pick it up from the branch, whichever way you choose.
Singapore Embassy in India
Singapore has a high commission in Delhi and general consulates in Mumbai and Chennai in India. The agent applies to the embassy nearest to you and falls under your jurisdiction.
Singapore High Commission, Delhi
Address: E-6, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021
Tel: +91 (11) 600 0915 (Visa and Consular), +91 (11) 4600 0800
Fax: +91 (11) 601 6413, +91 (11) 4601 6412 (Visa)
E-mail: singhhc_del@mfa.sg
Operational Hours: Mon to Fri, 0900 to 1300 hrs, 1330 to 1700 hrs (Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays)
Visa Timings: 0930 to 1100 hrs
Collection Timings: 1500 to 1600 hrs
Singapore High Commission in Delhi handles visa matters for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Bihar, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore, Chennai
Address: 17-A, North Boag Road, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600017, Tamil Nadu, India
Tel: +91 (44) 2815 8207, +91 (44) 2815 8208 (Visa)
Fax: +91 (44) 2815 8209
Email: singcon_maa@mfa.sg
Operational Hours: Mon to Fri, 0830 to 1300 hrs, 1400 to 1700 hrs (Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays)
Collection Timings: 1600 to 1700 hrs (Collection by Travel Agents only)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai handles visa matters for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, the Union Territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore, Mumbai
Address: 152, 14th Floor, Maker Chambers IV, 222, Jamnalal Bajaj Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021
Tel: +91 (22) 2204 3205, +91 (22) 6150 2900
Fax: +91 (22) 2285 5812 (Visa), +91 (22) 2204 3203
Email: singcon_bom@mfa.sg
Operational Hours: Mon to Fri, 0900 – 1700 hrs (Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays)
Visa Timings: 0900 to 1200 hrs (Public), 0900 to 1030 hrs (Travel Agents)
Collection Timings: 1400 to 1600 hrs
The Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Mumbai handles visa matters for Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
When to Apply for a Singapore E-Visa
How many days in advance can one apply for a Singapore tourist visa?
Apply at least 30 days before your scheduled travel date.
Though the e-visa processing time is 24 to 72 hours, it can take longer in some cases.
Plus, if you are in a city other than the ones that have authorized agents, you need time to send and receive documents through a courier.
Singapore Visa Application Status
How and where can I check my Singapore tourist visa application status?
You can check the status of the application online using the passport number and the visa application reference number given by the agent.
Follow these simple steps to check the visa application status:
- Go to the ICA’s official website.
- Click on the Check Status/Make Appointment section on the left side.
- You’ll find many options under the Check Status of Online Application section. Choose the Entry Visa option to open SAVE.
- Scroll down and click on Enquire Application Status.
- Key in your travel document number (passport number) and the visa reference number.
- Check the status. If approved, you can print out your e-visa.
Singapore Visa Processing Time
How long does it take to get a Singapore tourist visa?
The e-visa process usually takes anywhere between 4 and 5 days, excluding the submission date, weekends, and public holidays. Some applications may take longer to process.
Singapore Visa Validity
How long is a Singapore tourist visa valid?
The validity of the visa varies between 30 days and 2 years from the date of issue, based on the merits of the application (at the discretion of the SGH) and the subject of approval.
Duration of Stay with the Singapore Visa
How long can an Indian citizen with a valid Singapore tourist visa stay in Singapore?
One can stay and travel around Singapore for a maximum of 30 days.
The 30 days can be used in one go or can be stretched throughout e-visa validity (2 years) from the date of issue through multiple entries.
Singapore e-visa is considered a pre-entry permission to enter Singapore.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the checkpoint decide and issue the immigration pass to enter and stay in the country.
It’s advisable to check your passport for the arrival visit pass approval for the period of stay granted by the ICA before leaving the entry checkpoint.
The granted period of stay is unrelated to the validity of your visa.
In a scenario where your visa validity period is still active, but you’ve exhausted your 30 days of stay duration, you won’t get another visa to Singapore before the visa validity period expires.
Singapore Tourist Visa Fees
How much is the processing fee for the Singapore e-visa?
The electronic Singapore visa processing fee is around 30 SGD, which is 1534.73 INR as per the current exchange rate.
The visa fee is non-refundable even if your visa is rejected or you choose to withdraw the application.
Authorized Visa Agent Service Fee for Singapore Visa
How much is the authorized visa agent’s service fee for a Singapore e-visa?
The agent’s service fee is 300 INR per application. There’s an additional charge for the home pick-up of documents.
Singapore Visa Rejection
Does a Singapore visa get rejected? Do they give the reason for rejection?
While most people get a Singapore visa easily, I have heard of cases where the visa was rejected by the consulate and sometimes by the ICA. At that, they don’t even give the reason for rejection.
We can assume or presume.
The possible reasons are: invalid documents, wrong information, unclear photographs, reapplying for a visa without understanding the reason for rejection of the previous application, overstaying during the first visit, and applying for the second visa while the current visa hasn’t expired.
Reapplication for a Visa after Refusal
Can I reapply immediately after my e-visa application is rejected?
There’s no set time limit as such. A visa can be applied for immediately. But, in my opinion, it’s better to give some time before you again apply for the visa.
To reapply, submit a fresh application via SAVE and pay the visa processing fee again.
You need to submit the visa application form with the documents (additional, if any) to the Singapore High Commission for reconsideration.
Singapore E-Visa Extension
Can I extend my stay in Singapore?
The visa can be extended for a further 90 days. Suppose you feel the need to stay in Singapore beyond the allowed period. In that case, you may apply for an extension of your visa online via an e-XTEND or at the Visitors Services Centre (VSC) before the current visa expires. The visa extension is subject to approval.
Visa-Free Transit Facility(VFTF)
Am I eligible for Singapore’s VFTF as an Indian citizen?
Singapore grants 96-hour visa-free transit to Indian passport holders provided they have a valid onward air, ferry, or cruise ticket plus a valid visa or a long-term pass to one of these eight countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland.
Also, Indian citizens need to satisfy the entry requirements laid by the ICA at the Singapore checkpoint.
They can enter Singapore by any means of transport, but the departure should be via air or sea.
The transit facility is applied either during the forward or return leg of the journey, not both.
Indian travelers with used or no longer valid Single Journey Visas (SJV) from the listed countries can be granted a Visa-free transit facility on the return leg of the journey, provided they travel directly from the SJV issuing country to their home country en route to Singapore. He hasn’t returned to his country since the SJV was last used.
The ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) officers check the entry assessments.
A stay extension for transit Indian travelers isn’t available.
Refer here for detailed information.
Damaged or Lost E-Visa
What should I do if my e-visa is damaged or lost?
Use the Submit Inquiry function in SAVE and reprint the e-visa, putting your passport number and application reference number.
Transfer of a Valid Visa from the Old Passport to the New One
Can I transfer a valid visa issued on my old passport to the new one?
You need to apply for a new visa if you are planning to travel to Singapore with a passport that is different than the one you submitted during the visa application before. The process remains the same.
Tips for the Singapore Tourist Visa
- Fill out the form with caution. Incomplete forms or forms with incorrect or false details are rejected or take longer than the usual time to process.
- Keep the e-visa print with you at all times during your stay in Singapore.
- ICA handles the Singapore visa process. Visit their website or email them for more information on the visa process.
Note: All the information provided here was accurate at the time of publishing, but is subject to change. The visa policies are volatile, and visa information is subject to periodic changes. We try to keep the post updated; however, there can be certain discrepancies. If you find any, please let us know 🙂
Disclaimer: The information here is for reference purposes only. It’s to help ease the Singapore tourist visa process, but it doesn’t guarantee the approval of your e-visa application. The decision to approve or deny your visa application rests with the Singapore High Commission.
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Thanks a lot for the blog. I was really confused with the multitude of options out there with no one clearly outlining the procedure. Really nice that you referenced the official visa agents. Thanks for writing such a concise and clear blog 🙂
It’s always inspiring to hear positive words from our readers 🙂 Glad that our blog served the purpose. Thank you so much for taking out time to appreciate and encourage us, Suyash.