Every Singapore visa at a glance
Not sure where to start? Here's every common Singapore entry route at a glance. Tap any row for the full rules and cost.
| Visa | Stay | Extend | Official fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | 30 or 90 days by nationality | Sometimes, once | Free | Most vacationers |
| Entry visa | Up to 30 days | Rarely | S$30 | Visa-required nationalities |
| Work holiday | 6 months | No | S$175 | Students & grads, 18-25 |
| Work | 1 to 5 years | Yes (while you qualify) | From S$225 issued | Employed or founding in Singapore |
| Family / long stay | Up to 2 years | Yes (sponsor-driven) | From S$60 issued | Family of residents |
| Student | Length of the course | Yes (while enrolled) | From S$60 issued | Studying in Singapore |
The thing to respect here is the exit, not the entry: Singapore treats overstaying as a serious offense, not a pay-on-exit fine, and overstaying by more than 90 days brings jail and, for those legally subject to it, caning. Visa-free visitors pay no entry fee at all.
Visa-Free Entry (Visit Pass / e-Pass)
Most vacationers, including the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea
- Stay
- 30 or 90 days by nationality
- Official cost
- Free
This is what almost every visitor uses. If your nationality isn't on Singapore's short visa-required list, you get a visit pass stamped on arrival for tourism or business, with nothing to apply for in advance beyond the SG Arrival Card. Singapore's checkpoints are highly automated, and many travelers now clear immigration at a passport-free biometric gate without a physical stamp at all.
How long you get depends on your passport. Holders of the developed-country passports in the list above are typically granted up to 90 days; most other nationalities, including most of ASEAN and mainland China, usually get 30 days. The officer sets the exact figure and it's printed on your e-Pass or recorded electronically, so make a habit of checking it rather than assuming a full 90.
Who enters visa-free Almost every nationality (34 need a visa)
Singapore only publishes the list of nationalities that need a visa (see the e-visa route below); everyone else enters visa-free. The 90-day group is the developed-country set below: the US, UK, all of the EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Many other nationalities are typically granted up to 30 days, including most of ASEAN and, since a mutual arrangement began in February 2024, mainland China. The stay length is at the officer's discretion and shown on your pass.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Visa-free is for visiting, not working. A visit pass covers tourism and business meetings only. Any paid work, even short-term, needs the right work pass first.
- Don't lean on repeat visa runs. Hopping to Johor Bahru or Batam and back to reset the clock is watched closely, and immigration can shorten your next pass or refuse entry if it looks like you're living here on tourist stamps. For a long stay, get the proper pass.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Entry Visa (visa-required nationalities)
Tourists and business visitors from the ~34 nationalities that need a visa to enter
- Stay
- Up to 30 days
- Official cost
- S$30
If your nationality is on Singapore's visa-required list, you apply for an entry visa before you travel, almost always online through the official ICA e-Service (or via an authorized visa agent or a local contact who submits it for you). It's an electronic visa, so there's no sticker in your passport; approval is linked to your travel document.
The visa is single-entry, valid for 63 days from the date of issue, and lets you stay up to 30 days, with the exact length still decided by the officer on arrival. Processing is usually quick, around three working days, but apply with a comfortable buffer before your trip.
Who needs a visa About 34 nationalities (incl. India, Pakistan, Russia)
Around 34 nationalities need a visa before traveling, among them India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Nigeria and Iran, plus holders of certain travel documents. India is the one that surprises people, as Indian passport holders are not visa-free. (China is an exception the other way: mainland Chinese travelers became visa-free for 30 days under a mutual arrangement in February 2024.) Some "Assessment Level II" nationalities additionally need a local contact or sponsor to submit a Letter of Introduction. If your nationality is visa-free, you don't need this and shouldn't pay for it.
- Use the official ICA portal, not a look-alike. The real fee is S$30; third-party "Singapore visa" sites simply add a markup on top of it.
- A visa doesn't guarantee entry. As everywhere, the final decision is the immigration officer's, and you still submit the SG Arrival Card in the three days before you fly.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Work Holiday Pass
Students and recent graduates (18 to 25) from ten eligible countries wanting to work and travel for six months
- Stay
- 6 months
- Official cost
- S$175
The Work Holiday Pass is the one route that lets a young traveler both work and holiday in Singapore. It grants six months, lets you take almost any job to fund the trip, and is quick to apply for online through the Ministry of Manpower. For an eligible student or new graduate it's the best way to spend a proper stretch here.
You apply yourself through MOM, and once approved the pass costs S$175 to issue. Because the program is capped at 2,000 holders, applications can pause when it's full, so it pays to apply early rather than assume a place.
Who qualifies Age 18 to 25, university in one of ten countries
Open to students and recent graduates aged 18 to 25 who study, or studied full-time, at a recognized university in one of ten places: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States. The scheme is capped at 2,000 holders at any one time. Separately, young Australians and New Zealanders up to age 30 can come under a bilateral Work and Holiday Visa arrangement.
- Age and university are strict. You must be 18 to 25 and tied to a university in one of the ten eligible countries. Miss either and you're not eligible, whatever your nationality.
- It's six months and doesn't extend. The Work Holiday Pass is a one-off; to stay on and work you'd need to qualify for a proper work pass like the Employment Pass.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Work Passes (Employment Pass, ONE Pass, EntrePass)
Professionals hired by a Singapore employer, top-tier earners, and founders starting a company here
- Stay
- 1 to 5 years, renewable
- Official cost
- From S$225 issued
To work in Singapore you need the pass matched to your situation, and there's no digital-nomad visa to sidestep that. Most people arrive on the Employment Pass, sponsored by a Singapore employer, which requires a job paying at least S$5,600 a month (higher in financial services and for older applicants) and a pass on the COMPASS points framework. It typically runs one to two years and renews while you keep qualifying.
Higher up, the ONE Pass suits top earners on around S$30,000 a month and lets you work for or start multiple companies without re-applying. Entrepreneurs launching a venture use the EntrePass. Remote workers wanting to be based in Singapore generally have to qualify for one of these; there's no tourist-visa workaround.
Who qualifies A Singapore job offer, or founder / high earner status
The mainstream route is the Employment Pass, for professionals with a job offer meeting the salary bar (from S$5,600 a month, more in finance and with age) who also pass a points-based assessment. Above it sits the Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass for top talent earning around S$30,000 a month, which isn't tied to a single employer. Founders use the EntrePass, and there's a mid-tier S Pass for skilled staff and a Personalised Employment Pass for high earners. Any nationality can hold these; they're gated by salary and skills, not passport.
- The salary bar rises in 2027. The Employment Pass minimum climbs to S$6,000 a month (S$6,600 in finance) from 1 January 2027, so budget against the newer figure if you're planning ahead.
- No nomad visa means no gray-area remote work. Living in Singapore while working remotely for an overseas employer isn't a recognized tourist activity; a long stay means a real pass.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Long-Term Visit Pass (family)
Family members of Singapore citizens, permanent residents or eligible work-pass holders
- Stay
- Up to 2 years, renewable
- Official cost
- From S$60 issued
A point that surprises people: Singapore has no retirement visa. The main way to live here long-term without working is the Long-Term Visit Pass, and it's tied to family. A Singapore citizen, permanent resident or eligible pass-holder sponsors a qualifying relative, such as a spouse, parent or child, and the pass runs up to two years and renews.
Without that family link, the realistic long-stay routes are a work pass (above) or, for those with significant capital, permanent residency through the Global Investor Programme. There's no "live off your savings" retirement option the way some countries offer, so plan around a work or family pass rather than an easy retirement route.
Requirements A Singapore sponsor (spouse, parent or employer)
The Long-Term Visit Pass is for close family of Singapore citizens, permanent residents or certain pass-holders, typically a spouse, child, parent or common-law partner, sponsored by that resident or their employer. It isn't a route you can qualify for on your own funds. Singapore has no dedicated retirement visa, so older visitors without a Singaporean family sponsor or a work pass usually can't settle here long-term.
- No family sponsor, no easy long stay. If a site advertises a simple "Singapore retirement visa", be sceptical; it doesn't exist. Long-term residence runs through work, family or investment.
- A visit pass allows no work. The Long-Term Visit Pass is for staying with family, not employment; working needs a separate Letter of Consent or work pass.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Student Pass
People enrolling full-time at an approved Singapore school, university or institute
- Stay
- Length of the course
- Official cost
- From S$60 issued
To study full-time in Singapore for more than a short course, an approved institution sponsors a Student Pass through ICA. It covers the length of your program and renews while you stay enrolled. The school registers the application for you in the online SOLAR system, and you complete and formalize the pass after arrival.
Part-time work during study is restricted and only permitted for students at specific approved institutions, so don't count on funding your studies with a job. The pass is for study; anything more needs a separate arrangement.
Who can apply Acceptance by an approved Singapore institution
Any nationality can hold a Student Pass, but only after an approved Singapore institution (a university, polytechnic, or a school registered for foreign students) admits you to a full-time course and initiates the application in ICA's SOLAR system. Limited part-time work is allowed only for students at certain approved institutions.
Updated August 2026 · Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Overstaying and fines
Whatever brings you in, do not overstay your pass. Singapore is one of the strictest countries anywhere on this, and it treats overstaying as a criminal offense with fines, jail and, past a certain point, caning for those legally subject to it, not the pay-on-exit fine some of its neighbors charge.
- Overstaying up to 90 days can bring a fine of up to S$4,000 and/or up to six months' jail. Even a short overstay is prosecuted, not waved through.
- Overstaying beyond 90 days is far more serious. The penalty is up to six months' jail plus at least three strokes of the cane. Where caning can't lawfully be carried out (for example women, men over 50, or the medically unfit), a fine of up to S$6,000 is imposed instead.
- A conviction means deportation and a re-entry ban, and an immigration record in Singapore can follow you when you apply to enter other countries. It is not worth it.
- Check your pass and count the days. Your permitted stay is whatever the officer printed on your e-Pass, which may be less than you expect. If you need longer, apply to ICA to extend before it expires, or leave and re-enter properly rather than running the clock down.
Heading to Singapore?
Get our travel tips before you go: the visa rules that keep changing, the money traps, and the scams to sidestep.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Most travelers don't. Singapore only requires a visa from about 34 nationalities; everyone else is stamped in on arrival, for up to 30 or 90 days depending on passport. The US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea are all typically granted up to 90 days visa-free. India is the notable exception that does need a visa. Either way, everyone must submit the free SG Arrival Card in the three days before arrival.
-
How long can I stay in Singapore without a visa?
It depends on your passport. Holders of developed-country passports, including the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, are typically granted up to 90 days. Many other nationalities, including most of ASEAN and mainland China, get up to 30. The exact length is set by the immigration officer and printed on your visit pass, so check it rather than assuming a full 90 days.
-
Do US citizens need a visa for Singapore?
No, not for a vacation. US passport holders are granted up to 90 days visa-free for tourism or business, with nothing to apply for in advance beyond the SG Arrival Card. You can't work on that pass, and if you want to stay longer or work you'd need the appropriate work pass, as there's no digital-nomad visa.
-
Is the SG Arrival Card free, and is it mandatory?
It's both free and mandatory. Every visitor (not just visa-required ones) must submit the SG Arrival Card, which includes a health declaration, within the three days before arriving. Do it only on the official site, eservices.ica.gov.sg, or in the MyICA app. Singapore's immigration authority has warned repeatedly about copycat websites that charge a "processing fee" for this free form, so if a site asks for payment, it's a scam.
-
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Singapore?
Yes. India is on Singapore's visa-required list, so Indian passport holders must get a visa before traveling, despite what some older guides say. You apply through Singapore's official ICA e-Service or an authorized agent; the official government fee is S$30. The visa is single-entry, valid 63 days from issue, and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
-
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Singapore?
No, not since February 2024. Mainland Chinese travelers can enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days under a mutual visa-exemption arrangement between the two countries. That replaced the old 15-day facility, so guides that still mention a Chinese visa requirement or a 15-day limit are out of date. The SG Arrival Card still applies.
-
Does Singapore have a digital nomad visa?
No. Singapore has no digital-nomad visa, and living there while working remotely for an overseas employer isn't a recognized tourist activity. To be based in Singapore you generally need a proper work pass, most commonly the Employment Pass, which requires a local job offer paying at least S$5,600 a month. Top earners can use the ONE Pass, and founders the EntrePass, but there's no low-bar nomad route.
-
Does Singapore have a retirement visa?
No dedicated one. Singapore doesn't offer a retirement visa, so be wary of sites advertising one. The main way to live there long-term without working is the Long-Term Visit Pass, which requires a Singaporean citizen, permanent resident or pass-holder to sponsor you as a family member. Without a family sponsor, the realistic routes are a work pass or permanent residency through the Global Investor Programme.
-
Can I extend my stay in Singapore?
Sometimes, once, and it's not guaranteed. Some short-term visitors can apply to ICA online to extend their visit pass, usually by up to a further period at the authority's discretion, and you must apply before your current pass expires. Many travelers instead leave and re-enter, but don't rely on repeated visa runs, as immigration watches back-to-back entries and can shorten or refuse your next pass.
-
What is the Singapore Work Holiday Pass?
It's a six-month pass that lets young people work and travel in Singapore. You must be 18 to 25 and a student or graduate of a university in one of ten eligible countries (Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK or the US). It costs S$175 to issue and is capped at 2,000 holders at a time, so apply early. Young Australians and New Zealanders up to 30 can use a separate Work and Holiday arrangement.
-
What happens if I overstay my visa in Singapore?
Singapore treats it as a crime, not a pay-and-go fine. Overstaying by up to 90 days can bring a fine of up to S$4,000 and/or up to six months' jail. Overstaying by more than 90 days brings up to six months' jail plus at least three strokes of the cane (a fine of up to S$6,000 applies where caning can't lawfully be carried out). A conviction also means deportation and a re-entry ban, so treat the date on your pass as final.
-
How much does a Singapore visa cost?
If you're visa-free, nothing. If your nationality needs a visa, the official fee is a flat S$30 through ICA, non-refundable even if refused. Watch out for third-party sites that add a "service" markup on top of that, and for fake pages charging for the free SG Arrival Card. The government fees for longer stays are also modest; it's the salary or eligibility bar, not the fee, that gates the work and family passes.