singapore tourist visa processing time

Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Visa Processing Time: A Detailed Guide with Tips for a Smooth Application

Goh Jun Cheng

October 13, 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Applying for a visa to visit or work in Singapore can seem daunting, with many steps to follow and documents to prepare.

A key question in the process is how long it takes to get the visa approved after submitting an application.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of Singapore visa processing times, along with tips to help your application go smoothly.

Overview of Singapore Visa Types

There are several main types of visas issued by the Singapore government. The processing time can vary depending on the specific visa category:

Visitor Visas

If you want to visit Singapore as a tourist, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa. Options include:

Single Journey Visa: Valid for a stay of up to 30 days. Processing time is typically 5 working days.
Multiple Journey Visa: Valid for multiple entries over 2, 6 or 12 months. Processing time is around 7 working days.
Transit Visa: For transiting through Singapore. Valid up to 96 hours. Usually processed within 5 working days.

For employment or business activities in Singapore, there are various work visa options:

Employment Pass: For foreign professionals working in managerial, executive or specialized jobs. Takes around 8-10 working days to process.
S Pass: For mid-level skilled staff. Approval time is 5-7 working days.
Work Permit: For foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine, process or services sector. Can be processed within 1 week.
EntrePass: For foreign entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in Singapore. Around 4 weeks to process.
Training Employment Pass: For overseas professionals on short-term assignments in Singapore. Usually approved within 5 working days.

Student Visas

If you plan to study in Singapore, you can apply for:

Student’s Pass: For international students at private schools, colleges and universities. Processing time is 4 weeks.
Miscellaneous Student’s Pass: For short courses up to 6 months. Takes around 1 week to process.

Factors Affecting Visa Processing Time

While the above timeframes are typical, your individual visa application may take longer depending on these key factors:

Nationality: Applicants from certain countries may require additional background checks, adding to the processing time.
Purpose of Visit: Applications for work or entrepreneur visas generally take longer than tourist visas.
Application Errors: Mistakes or missing documents will cause delays and require you to resubmit.
Peak Periods: Processing times may be longer during busy travel seasons or school holidays.
Medical Checks: If you need additional health screening, this adds to the timeline.

Tips for Fast Visa Processing

Here are some tips to help ensure your Singapore visa gets approved quickly:

Carefully choose the appropriate visa type based on your purpose of stay.
Complete your application fully and accurately to avoid mistakes. Double check all details.
Include all required supporting documents like passport, photos, flight itinerary and financial proof.
If applicable, have a local sponsor provide a letter of invitation or employment verification letter.
Apply at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your planned trip. Avoid peak holiday times if possible.
Pay required visa fees promptly to prevent delays.
Check the online portal regularly and respond to any requests promptly.
Maintain polite communication with visa officers if queries arise.

The processing time for a Singapore visa can range from 1 week to 4 weeks depending on visa type, nationality, travel purpose and application accuracy. Following the tips above will help ensure your visa gets approved in the fastest timeframe possible.

Planning your application well in advance is highly recommended to avoid disruptions to your travel or work plans. With an efficient and streamlined system, Singapore aims to process all complete and bona fide visa applications as quickly as possible.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. “Processing Time.” Accessed October 13, 2023. https://www.mfa.gov.sg/visa-services/processing-time

Singapore Visa Information. “Singapore Visa Processing Time.” Accessed October 13, 2023. https://singaporevisainfo.com/visa/singapore-visa-processing-time/

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Singapore. “Processing Time.” Accessed October 13, 2023. https://www.ica.gov.sg/visitor/visitor_pass/processing_time

Goh Jun Cheng is the chief staff writer for SingaporeAirport.com. Jun Cheng graduated with a degree in journalism from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

He has over 5 years of experience writing about aviation, tourism, and lifestyle topics relevant to locals and visitors in Singapore. His articles provide insights into the rich culture, cuisine, and attractions of Singapore. Jun Cheng is an avid traveler who has visited over 15 countries.

When he is not writing or traveling, he enjoys photography, trying new foods, and hiking. As a longtime Singapore resident, Jun Cheng is passionate about sharing hidden gems and perspectives about his home country.

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The following information are obtained from ICA, which is the authority responsible for visa matters. Please visit ICA’s website for detailed information on visa and entry requirements . Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] f or enquiries on application of Singapore visa abroad. The visa application form is available free of charge at all Singapore overseas missions (except for non-resident High Commissioners/Ambassadors based in Singapore). You may also download the form here .

You may also wish to apply for a visa through a local contact in Singapore who is a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident in possession of a “SingPass” account. The visa application can be submitted online through your local contact in Singapore via the SAVE system at Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s website. If your application is approved, your local contact in Singapore can use the SAVE system to print a copy of your e-Visa for you.

Visa and Entry Requirements for Foreigners All visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements:

Valid travel document (minimum validity of 6 months at the time of departure)
Confirmed onward or return tickets (if applicable)
Entry facilities, including visas, to the next destination;
Sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore; and,
Visa for entry into Singapore (if applicable)
Yellow Fever Vaccination (if applicable)

Click here to check Entry Requirements for Foreigners (For Social Visit purposes only)

Enquiries or feedback to ICA can be submitted using the online feedback form at www.ica.gov.sg/feedbackform .

To keep updated on travel advisories while you travel, follow @MFAsgConsular on Twitter.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

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Entering, Transiting and Departing
Entering Singapore

Check if You Need an Entry Visa

If you hold a travel document issued by one of the countries or places listed below, you will require a valid Singapore entry visa to travel to, and seek entry, into Singapore.

Possession of a valid visa does not guarantee entry into Singapore. Please refer to entry requirements for more information.

Please note the following:

SG Arrival Card is not a visa . Please refer to SG Arrival Card e-Service for more information.
Valid visa holders are required to adhere to the latest travel requirements and advisories , where applicable.
The period of stay in Singapore is not tied to the validity of your visa. The period of stay is determined by the duration of the Visit Pass issued to you in the form of electronic visit pass (e-Pass) at the checkpoint upon entry.

To extend the duration of stay, the applicant will have to apply for a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) extension. For more information, please refer to Seeking Extension of Visit Pass .

A Singapore entry visa is not an immigration pass. It is a pre-entry permission for the holder of a valid visa to travel to, and seek entry, into Singapore. The grant of an immigration pass will be determined by the ICA officers at the point of entry. The period of stay granted is not tied to the validity of your visa. ICA does not accept submission of visa application over the immigration counters. If you do not have a Local Contact with a Singpass/Corppass account, you may submit the visa application:

Through an authorised visa agent appointed by the Singapore Overseas Missions; or
At the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission .

Please liaise directly with the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission for detailed visa application procedure if the application is to be submitted through their authorised visa agents or at the Singapore Overseas Mission.

From 11 March 2022, all foreign visitors arriving in Singapore will be notified digitally of their Visit Pass (e-Pass) through email. There will not be any endorsement on your passport. The e-Pass notification will indicate the period of stay granted and last day of stay allowed. Please ensure that you provide a valid email address when submitting the SG Arrival Card .

If your travel document is issued by one of the countries/ places listed below, you will require a valid visa to enter Singapore. Click on individual countries/ places to find out more.

Travel Documents by Countries and Places

You will also need a visa if you are travelling on:

A Refugee travel document. This travel document is subject to assessment of recognition for entry into Singapore
An Alien's passport. This travel document is subject to assessment of recognition for entry into Singapore
A Palestinian Authority passport
A temporary passport issued by the United Arab Emirates
A Document of Identity issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
A Travel Permit issued by Macao Special Administrative Region
A PRC Travel Document

You may contact us via the enquiry form with a copy of your travel document biodata page and front cover for further assistance and verification.

Visa Free Transit Facilities

Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, India, Turkmenistan and Ukraine; as well as Nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) holding other travel documents issued by the PRC* (excluding ordinary, diplomatic, public affairs and service passports) may be eligible for the Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF). Please refer to Visa-Free Transit Facility for more information.

*These include the PRC Travel Document, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Document of Identity (DOI) and Macau SAR Travel Permit.

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Note: Please check the individual embassy or consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. embassy or consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice: Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

* Wait times are generally the MAXIMUM amount of time you will have to wait to get an appointment. Appointments are continuously being added and you will likely be given an opportunity to move your appointment up as new appointments are opened.

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

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