Being an island city-state and closely bordering the countries of Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore is a global centre for finance, business, and transportation. The country is also known for its impressive and clean cityscapes, which have only been possible due to stricter litter norms and penalties by the Singaporean Government.
Back in the day, Singapore was ruled by the East India Company, ultimately becoming a British colony and an effective trading post for seamless business deals. However, it was not until 1965 that the country gained its independence, and since then it has been a shining beacon for industrial and economic development. Touted to be the fourth-least corrupt country in the world, Singapore has one of the lowest tax rates in the world, making the country ideal for businesses to flourish. In addition to that, it also has the second-highest per-capita GDP in the world when considering PPP (Purchasing Power Parity).
Singapore’s massive economic rise has not only been due to the corporate sector but also to multiple state-owned enterprises, which played a crucial role in laying the foundation of the country’s corporate revolution. As a result, the country has been a global hub for the operations and management of various multinational corporations around the world, especially because of its infrastructure and connectivity. Having said that, if a visit to Singapore is on your cards, then obtaining a visa is highly necessary. That is why we have created a thorough guide for you to follow so that you can effortlessly check your visa status right away.
How to Check Status of Visa Online
If you are looking to check your Singapore visa status using the official portal, then be sure to follow the recommended steps mentioned below.
- Kick-start your visa status-checking process by heading over to the official website here.
- On the landing page, you have to select the type of visa regarding which you want to check the status. For instance, if you want to check the status of your entry visa, then select the “Entry Visa” option.
- Depending on the option that you have chosen, you will be required to enter your details. For example, if you have chosen “Entry Visa,” then you will be required to state your “Individual/Family Visa Reference Number” and the “Applicant’s Travel Document Number”. Keep in mind that the requirements will be altered based on your visa type.
- Once done, click on “Next,” and your enquiry details will be shown on your screen immediately. You can decide to take a printout of the same for future reference if you want.
In addition to the above-mentioned process, you can also decide to sign in to your MyICA account here and check your visa status. Keep in mind that logging into your MyICA account requires a SingPass account. If you do not have a SingPass account, then you can use the standard enquiry form here.
How To Contact For Help?
If you want to get in touch with the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority online, then filling out the online feedback form would be the ideal thing to do. However, if you want something a bit more personal and want to talk to a live agent or representative, then you can get in touch with the ICA Call Centre at 6391 6100. Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 8 AM and 5 PM (local time), as well as on Saturdays between 8 AM and 1 PM (local time). Offices are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Interested applicants can also get in touch with the ICA Quality Service Manager at 1800 298 8985. Phone lines are available between 8 AM and 5:30 PM from Monday to Thursday and between 8 AM and 5 PM on Fridays.
An Overview of the Visas
If you are visiting Singapore, and holding a travel document from any one of the countries mentioned in the requirements list here (including India), then you will require a valid Singapore visa to seek entry into the country. As a result, based on the requirements of the applicants, the Singapore ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority) has created multiple visa types that can be applied for. To learn more about them, proceed to go through the below-mentioned list precisely.
Business Visa: Business visas are created for individuals who are looking to attend business negotiations, conferences, discussions, seminars, and the like in Singapore.
Social Visa: Social visas are for applicants who are travelling to Singapore, especially to spend a vacation or holiday, or for a private visit to their loved ones.
Entry Visa: Entry visas are for individuals who are planning to enter Singaporean territory using an approval letter from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
It should be known that to apply for any of the aforementioned visa types, you will need to submit the following documents: a duly completed and signed Form 14A, a recent passport-sized colour photograph with a white background and shot within the last three months, a photocopy of your passport biodata page and a completed Form V39A. The visa processing fee is 30 Singaporean Dollars and is considered non-refundable, regardless of the outcome (whether the visa is provided or not). And the processing time will be around five working days.