Singapore is open to all transit travelers without requiring any specific requirements or regulations. However, to ensure a seamless transit experience, certain essential requirements must be followed by transit travelers.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has described “transit travelers” as those who are travelling to a third country through Singapore without clearing Singapore arrival immigration. On the other hand, travelers who decide to clear arrival immigration to enter the country or who booked flights that require them to enter the country to collect tickets or baggage and thereby check in again for the connecting flight will be considered “non-transit travelers”.
It should be known that several low-cost air carriers need travelers to clear immigration so that they can collect their onward connecting tickets in the “Departure Check-In Hall”. If you are one of them, then you must ensure that you fulfil all the public entry and health requirements, as stated by the ICA. In any case, if there is any uncertainty, then travelers who are connecting through Singapore should consult their airline authorities on whether they should go through immigration or whether they can simply stay within the transit area to connect a flight to the final destination.
Additionally, we also advise you to check with authorities of your destination country on the requirements imposed on people who are transiting through Singapore. Also, do keep in mind that pre-departure COVID-19 testing services are not available in the transit area of Singapore Changi Airport. Thus, if your final destination requires you to undertake a COVID-19 pre-departure test, then the same must be completed before you transit in Singapore.
What are the Eligibility and Requirements?
If you fall under the category of a “non-transit traveler,” based on the ICA rules and regulations stated previously, then you will require the following set of immigration requirements: a valid passport that has a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into Singapore (if you are not a Singapore passport holder), a valid Singapore Entry Visa, an SG Arrival Card, and complete all the security and immigration processes on arrival.
A Singapore Entry Visa will only be required if your travel documents have been issued by any one of the following countries (as of 2023): Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
You will also need a Singapore Entry Visa if you are travelling with a refugee travel document, an alien’s passport, a Palestinian Authority passport, a travel permit issued by the Macao Special Administrative Region, a temporary passport issued by the UAE (United Arab Emirates), or a document of identity issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Travelers that need a visa can also take advantage of the 96-hour Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF), which is only available to nationals of Georgia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Turkmenistan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Ukraine. Travelers who are eligible under the VTF scheme will also have to follow the other entry requirements mentioned above. Also, extensions of stay for transit travelers under VFTF are strictly not allowed.
When it comes to obtaining the SG Arrival Card, all transit travelers must fill in the SGAC Declaration Form at least three days before arrival in Singapore. However, if you are a Singapore citizen, long-term pass holder, or permanent resident, then you need not apply for the SGAC.
Requirements for travel documents will vary based on country to country, which can be found on the official website here. However, the common documents required are: a duly completed Form 14A, a duly completed Form 39A (if applicable), a recent three-month-old passport-sized photograph (complying with the guidelines), a photocopy of the applicant’s passport bio-data page, and a payment source (a VISA or MasterCard-issued debit/credit card, or internet banking).
What is the Processing Time?
It is expected that your Singapore transit visa processing time will be completed anywhere between 3 to 5 working days, excluding the day of your submission, holidays, and weekends. However, some applications may require additional time to be processed.
Steps to Apply For Singapore Transit Visa Online?
The process of applying for a Singapore transit or entry visa online involves applying through a local contact in Singapore who is a Singapore citizen or is a permanent resident possessing a “SingPass” account. Online applications can also be completed via authorised visa agents or through strategic partners. To start the application process, follow the below-mentioned steps.
- First, you need to visit the official website here.
- On the landing page, select whether you are applying for an entry visa as a local contact, a strategic partner, or an authorised visa agent.
- Once you have selected your preferred option, you have to sign in to a valid SingPass account.
- On the next step, you have to upload all the required forms mentioned above (Forms 14A and 39A), along with your photograph and supporting documents.
- Lastly, you have to pay the requisite visa fees online, which is $30 Singaporean Dollars.
- After submission of your application form, you can track it through the “Enquire Application Status” option on the same web page linked above.
For any additional assistance, you can get in touch with the ICA support team at ICA_Save_Helpdesk@ica.gov.sg with a copy of your travel documents.
