Singapore Tourist Visa, SG Arrival Card & 96-Hour VFTF Transit Guide 2026

General Rule

Travellers holding passports or travel documents from visa-required countries or regions must generally obtain a valid Singapore entry visa before travelling to seek entry.

Visa Is Not Pass

The visa is not an immigration pass. Possession of a valid visa does not guarantee entry.

Stay Not Linked To Visa

The period of stay granted is not tied to the visa's validity period. ICA determines the Visit Pass and authorised stay at the checkpoint.

Application Channels

• Through an authorised visa agent appointed by the relevant Singapore Overseas Mission.
• Through a strategic partner or eligible local contact using ICA's e-Service, where available.
• Through the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission where the applicable process permits.

Typical Documents

• Completed Form 14A where required.
• Recent passport-sized colour photograph where required.
• Passport biodata page showing at least 6 months' validity from the intended entry date.
• Additional supporting documents such as Form V39A or a Letter of Introduction for Visa Application may be requested case by case.

Recommended Timing

ICA advises visa-required travellers to apply for the entry visa within 30 days before arrival.

Processing

Visa applications are generally processed within 3 working days, excluding the day of submission, although some applications take longer.

Standard Processing Fee

S$30 non-refundable per visa application where applicable.

Additional Agent Fees

Authorised visa agents or other intermediaries may charge separate service fees.

Important Distinction

The S$30 fee is the ICA visa processing fee; it is not a fee for an SG Arrival Card.

Name

SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration

Submission Window

Within 3 days before the date of arrival, including the day of arrival.

Fee

Free.

Submission Channels

• ICA SG Arrival Card e-Service.
• MyICA Mobile application.

Generally Required For

• Short-term foreign visitors arriving to enter Singapore.
• Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Long-Term Pass holders where they are not covered by the specific land-checkpoint exemption.
• Other travellers required by ICA to provide the arrival declaration.

Exceptions

• Travellers transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance.
• Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents and Long-Term Pass holders entering via land checkpoints.

Important Points

• The SG Arrival Card is not a visa.
• Submission is free.
• Travellers who do not submit it when required may be denied entry.
• A valid email address should be provided because foreign visitors receive their e-Pass through the email address declared in the SG Arrival Card.

Description

Foreign visitors are issued an Electronic Visit Pass instead of an inked passport endorsement.

Contains

• Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) number.
• Visit Pass details.
• Maximum number of days of stay granted.
• Last day of stay allowed in Singapore.

Delivery

The e-Pass is sent by email after successful arrival immigration clearance using the email address declared in the SG Arrival Card.

Retrieval

Visitors can retrieve e-Pass information through ICA's e-Pass Enquiry Portal using the D/E number or passport details.

Important Distinction

The e-Pass records the actual Visit Pass granted at entry. It should be relied upon for the visitor's authorised period of stay rather than the expiry date of the entry visa.

General Validity

All travellers except Singapore passport holders must have a passport with at least 6 months' validity.

Travel Document

Travellers must hold a valid individually issued travel document. Collective travel documents are not accepted.

Special Documents

• Refugee travel documents may require a visa and are subject to recognition assessment.
• Alien's passports may require a visa and are subject to recognition assessment.
• Certain Palestinian Authority passports, temporary UAE passports and other listed travel documents are visa-required.

Name

96-Hour Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF)

Description

The VFTF is a limited visa-free transit facility for eligible transit travellers. It is not a general Singapore tourist visa exemption.

Eligible Nationality Groups

• Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States covered by ICA's VFTF rules.
• Georgia.
• India.
• Turkmenistan.
• Ukraine.
• Selected holders of certain People’s Republic of China travel documents listed by ICA.

Important Scope

The VFTF eligibility rules differ by nationality and travel document. Travellers should check the specific ICA VFTF conditions applicable to their passport rather than relying on a single simplified rule.

General Transit Concept

The traveller must be genuinely transiting through Singapore and meet the applicable VFTF onward-travel and qualifying third-country visa or residence-permission conditions.

96 Hour Limit

Where the VFTF applies, the transit stay is for less than 96 hours and must satisfy the facility's detailed timing and itinerary requirements.

Third Country Documentation

• Depending on the traveller's nationality and VFTF route, a valid visa or qualifying residence permission for the specified third country may be required.
• The qualifying third-country visa or residence permission must satisfy ICA's validity and travel conditions at the time of transit.
• The onward ticket must be consistent with the VFTF transit requirement.

Not General Tourist Visa

A person who is travelling to Singapore primarily as a tourist rather than transiting under the VFTF conditions should use the ordinary visa-free or visa-required entry route applicable to the passport.

Airport And Entry Point

The VFTF is an immigration facility assessed by ICA at the checkpoint. It should not be confused with a separate visa issued before travel.

Current Rule

All foreign visitors arriving at Singapore passenger halls can use automated lanes without prior enrolment, subject to fulfilling entry requirements.

Biometrics

• Iris.
• Facial image.
• Fingerprints where prompted or required.

First Time Visitors

First-time foreign visitors may undergo biometric enrolment during the arrival automated-clearance process.

Subsequent Trips

On subsequent trips, visitors using the same passport can use the automated clearance system with their enrolled biometrics.

Manual Clearance

Travellers who cannot use automated clearance or who are directed to an officer may undergo manual immigration clearance.

Important Point

Automated clearance is an immigration-processing method; it does not guarantee admission to Singapore.

Sgac Health Declaration

The Electronic Health Declaration is incorporated into the SG Arrival Card process.

Yellow Fever

Travellers who have recent travel to a country with risk of yellow fever transmission within the prescribed period may need to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Scope

Public-health requirements can differ from visa requirements and should be checked separately before travel.

Ica Guidance

ICA states that short-term travellers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel, including relevant tickets or visas.

Visa Distinction

These are entry-assessment considerations and should not be represented as a universal fixed minimum bank-balance rule.

Practical Documents

• Return or onward flight booking.
• Visa or permission for the next destination when applicable.
• Accommodation details.
• Evidence of funds where relevant to the traveller's circumstances.