FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am an Australian PR. Do I have to apply for a Singapore visa?
You will have to apply for a Singapore visa if you are a passport holder of a country that requires a visa.
If I am transiting through Singapore, do I still need a visa?
Foreigners transiting in Singapore will not require visas if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3 or 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration.
Sometimes, foreign visitors may be required to pass through Singapore Immigration if their airlines do not have the necessary transfer facilities. In these cases, the foreign visitor should obtain a visa prior to travel, so that he/she will not meet any difficulties while transiting in Singapore. We advise all travellers who are from a visa-required country and plan to enter Singapore, to apply for a Singapore visa prior to the trip so as to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience or disruption to travel plans. For more information, please refer to the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority website at: www.ica.gov.sg.
Who needs a visa to travel to Singapore?
Please visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore’s website at http://www.ica.gov.sg/ to check if you require a visa to travel to Singapore.
When should I apply if I am required to travel to Singapore with a visa?
You can apply for a visa up to one month before your intended date of arrival into Singapore. It is not essential to purchase your travel tickets before applying for a visa, but you should indicate your travel itinerary in a cover letter.
Who decides if I will get a visa?
Your visa application will be processed and decided by Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
How do I pay for my visa fees?
Please pay A$33 in cash only at the Consular counter at the Singapore High Commission in Canberra.
Do I need an appointment to submit my application?
You do not need to make an appointment to submit your application. You may submit in person during office hours.
Do I need to submit my original passport for submission of application?
You must present your original passport for identity verification purposes, when you apply for entry visa, either with the Singapore High Commission or with our Authorised Visa Agent, VFS Global.
How can I check the status of my application?
For applications submitted through the High Commission, please email us at visa_cbr@mfa.sg to check the status of your application. For applications submitted through our Authorised Visa Agents, you can check the status of the visa application online using the VFS Reference Number and Date of Birth. You may wish to visit the “Track Your Application” section on their respective websites.
Can I withdraw my application if I had already submitted it?
You may be able to withdraw your application if we have not started the process. To withdraw, you need to provide a letter signed personally by you in original copy.
Will I get a refund if I withdraw my application in time?
As it is a processing fee, we regret to inform that we are unable to refund the visa application fee, regardless of the outcome of the visa application.
Will I know the reason why my visa application has been rejected?
The specific reason for your rejection will not be made known to you.
I am a visitor in Australia. Can I still apply for a visa to travel to Singapore?
Yes, you may be able to do so. Please check our website for further information.
Can I lodge an online application?
There is no online application for Singapore Entry Visa, except if you have a Local Contact who is a Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, and who is able to submit an application online on your behalf via the ICA website. Otherwise, all applications submitted in Australia should be submitted either with the Singapore High Commission or with our Authorised Visa Agent, VFS Global. All applications must be presented in person.
Can I know the duration of the visa/ How long will my visa be valid?
We are not able to advise you until we start processing the application. It is different for each individual application.
How long can I stay in Singapore?
This is ultimately determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival in Singapore. Once you are issued visit pass to enter Singapore, you will be able to check the period of stay as indicated on the Visit Pass stamp on your passport.
What is the validity of my passport from the intended date of arrival in Singapore?
One of the visa application requirements for entry into Singapore is that all passports need to have a minimum of six months validity from date of arrival in Singapore. The Singapore High Commission recommends that you renew or extend the passport if this is not the case.
If you require further clarification of this entry requirement, please contact Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on 0011 (65) 6391 6100.
Can I travel with less than six months validity?
You cannot enter Singapore if you have less than six months validity remaining on your passport at the time of your date of arrival to Singapore. For transits, you can transit if you do not need to pass through immigration in Singapore, and remain in the transit lounge while in transit. However, if you do need to pass through immigration even in a transit, to change airlines and re-check in to the next flight for example, you must renew your passport before travelling.
Can I extend my stay in Singapore?
You can apply for an extension, before your current stay expires, in person at the ICA building in Singapore. The address is Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, ICA Building, 10 Kallang Road, Singapore 208718 and their operating hours are 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday and 8.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday. Closed during Singapore Public Holidays.
Can I pay extra to expedite my visa application?
We do not have such services. However, if you have valid reasons which demand you to travel at a short notice, such as seeking medical treatment in Singapore, you may provide us with a formal letter from the hospital/doctor in Singapore together with your visa application.
How can I find out about work visas?
If you are travelling to Singapore for work or employment, you will need to contact the Ministry of Manpower office in Singapore for advice on which visa to apply for. This is not processed in Australia. You can email them at mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg or phone 0011 (65) 6438 5122.
If the Ministry of Manpower informs you that you do not need a work pass and do not need to make notification of your activity, you will need to check with Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to make sure you can enter Singapore on a tourist entry. Their contact details can be found at www.ica.gov.sg.
Is it essential for me to confirm my flights before applying for visa to Singapore?
If you do not have a confirmed flight itinerary, you may wish to indicate the intended dates of arrival and departure on a cover letter and attach it to your visa application.
I have lost my e-visa; what should I do?
If you had applied for a visa with the Singapore High Commission in Canberra, you may email us your request for us to retrieve your visa. At the same time, you need to provide us your Travel Document Number and the date when you had applied with us, your name and date of birth.
I have an existing visa, but had just changed my passport. Can I extend my visa?
We do not do extension or transfer of visa. You must obtain a new e-visa if you intend to travel to Singapore with a different travel document from your existing e-visa.
I do not have an Australian Visa label in my passport. What should I do?
It is not necessary to have the Australian Visa label reflected in your passport, but you will need to print out the electronic version of the latest Australian Visa and attach it to your visa application, or print a VEVO record.
I am travelling to Singapore using my Diplomatic/Official/Service Passport. Do I need a visa?
You may contact the Singapore High Commission in Canberra for more information at visa_cbr@mfa.sg.