Whether you want to travel to Singapore for a short stay or a long visit, the related documents and visa are indispensable. The long-term visit pass and the short-term visit pass are the two prevalent passes in Singapore. By knowing the differences between these two passes, you can select the most suitable pass and have access to a seamless arrival and stay in Singapore. In this guide, learn everything you should know about the Singapore visit pass, including the pass eligibility requirements, application procedure, validity duration, and other critical information. Valuable insights you can get here Whether you’re heading to Singapore for a professional project, a family reunion, or just a leisurely trip.
What is the Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass
The Long-Term Visit Pass, given by the Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), is intended for individuals who possess an Employment Pass or S Pass and are their common-law partner, stepchild, or physically challenged child. A Long-Term Visit Pass is required for any foreign visitor planning to stay in Singapore for over 30 days. Depending on the type of application, holders of long-term visit passes may remain in the nation for up to 2 years.
Types of Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass
There are two different types of Long-Term visit passes in Singapore. Different authorities issue two different kinds of passes. Likewise, they work for different user groups.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore issues the first type of Long-Term Visit Pass. It acts as a continuation of the existing Short-Term Visit Pass. Foreign holders of Short-Term Visit Passes who want to stay in Singapore for longer than 30 days are eligible to apply.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues the second type of Long-Term Visit Pass, which allows family members of overseas workers who are not eligible for the Dependent Pass to visit Singapore to reside with their relatives. Remember that individuals with passes who make above S$12,000 can also obtain passes for their parents.
Who Can Apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass
S-Pass and Employment Pass holders are eligible for the long-term visit pass. The holders will be each member’s sponsor if they want to apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass.
The following family members are eligible to have a long-term visit pass sponsored:
- Spouses or spouses from overseas
- Children who are physically challenged and over 21 and single
- Stepchildren under 21 and unmarried
- Parents
The following groups of individuals are now eligible to apply for the Long-Term Visit Pass, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA):
- Travelers looking for work in Singapore who have degrees from universities issued abroad.
- Visitors who are seeking employment in Singapore and are enrolled in educational institutions.
- A female guest with a student pass whose grandchild or child is enrolled in school in Singapore.
- A guest whose spouse is either a Singaporean citizen (SC) or a Singapore permanent resident (SPR).
- A guest whose offspring (over 21 years of age) is an SPR or SC.
- A foreigner requesting authorization to give birth in Singapore.
- A traveler hoping to stay for an extended time.
Required Documents for Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass
The following documents are required in order to properly receive the pass:
- Details of the current immigration pass or short-term visit pass.
- Address in Singapore
- An address where the card can be sent.
- Information about one or more approved recipients’ contact information so they can receive an email or SMS message with delivery details.
Additional Documents:
- A health center’s final medical evaluation
- Card for boarding or disembarkation
- A filled-out declaration form is included with the notification letter of principal acceptance.
How to Apply for Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass
Step 1. Fill out the application form and collect the required paperwork. After that, apply it to Employment Pass (EP) eService (formerly EP Online), and the Ministry of Manpower should contact you.
Step 2. The Ministry of Manpower will issue the in-principal permission letter following the submission of the necessary and supplementary documentation.
Step 3. Register the member’s picture and fingerprint.
The family member must travel to Singapore before the pass is given. The arrival period for a dependent of an S Pass holder is two months, whereas the dependent of an EP holder has to arrive within six months. When you submit the request to create the pass, the member must be present.
Step 4. The digital LTVP will be issued. The digital LTVP is available for immediate viewing on the Singpass app and can also be downloaded in PDF or OA format from the MyICA or FileSG websites.
What is the Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass
A short-term visit pass is more akin to a travel pass that enables a foreign national to enter Singapore for tourism, social events, and medical care.
Your Pass will only be valid for a maximum of 30 days. You must submit your extension if you want to avoid overstaying if you want to stay in Singapore longer.
Who Can Apply for a Short-Term Visit Pass
The short-term visit pass is for foreign visitors to Singapore who wish to enter for these purposes: travel, medical treatment, and social visit. In addition, tourists who do not require a Singapore visa will be also issued a Singapore Visit Pass. A short-term pass for Singapore prevents you from working for any kind of pay.
Required Documents for Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass
To obtain a short-term Singapore visit pass, you need to provide these documents or certifications:
- Your short-term visa to Singapore.
- A passport will be valid for an additional six months following the expiration of the visa.
- Enough money to afford the whole time you’re there. It is not necessary to have a set amount, however, it is often advised to have S$100 every day. Usually, a credit card will do as evidence.
- Verified the reservation for a return ticket.
- Disembarkation/embarkation cards (also known as the Singapore Arrival Card). They are now available online.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable.
- The filled-out Singapore visa application form in certain situations.
How to Apply for Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass
You can visit Singapore with a tourist visa, but to enter the nation, you must have a Singapore short-term visit pass.
There are two ways you can apply for the pass: in person at a Singapore overseas mission or online at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.
To apply for a Singapore Short-term visit pass online:
If you decide to apply online, your visa application must be submitted by a relative or agent. Someone in Singapore must apply on your behalf, as you are not permitted to do it alone. However, you can get in touch with the accredited visa firms that file visa applications on behalf of foreign nationals if you don’t have a trustworthy contact in Singapore.
To apply for a Singapore Short-term visit pass in person:
Suppose you choose to apply for the pass in person, you’d better check the nearest Singapore mission website to get help, where you can learn how to make the application and what documents you need to provide.
If all goes according to plan, you will receive the Singapore e-pass a few days after applying. After that, you or your contact or family member will need to print the pass. As a result, you will be allowed to enter Singapore using the visa.
At the Singaporean entrance port, officials from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will request the necessary documentation and verify that you have complied with all entry procedures. The office is fully entitled to deny your arrival in Singapore if they discover any issues with your documentation.
The Singapore short-term visit pass, which specifies the number of days you are permitted to stay in Singapore, will be given to you if they approve your entry. Your permitted stay will typically last between 14 and 30 days.
Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass Extension
Suppose you need to stay in Singapore for more than 30 days, you can apply for a short-term visit pass extension. The following are the conditions to extend your pass:
- You will require a local sponsor who is at least 21 years old and has a SingPass account if you are subject to visa requirements.
- At least three working days before the expiration of your existing Visit Pass, you must request a Visit Pass Extension.
- You do not plan to come back within the next five days after your visit to Singapore ends.
Required Documents to Apply for an Extension:
To successfully obtain the short-term visit pass extension, you need to prepare the following necessary documents:
- The passport that you will have for a minimum of six months after you leave Singapore.
- A duplicate of the bio-data pages from your passport.
- Your updated, legitimate Visit Pass.
- Your card for embarkation/disembarkation (D/E).
- A legitimate credit card that can be used to cover the $40 Pass Extension cost.
- If you would like to prolong your stay for medical treatment, you must have a Singaporean doctor sign Form V75, which includes information about your medical condition and the necessary extension duration.
- If you have family in Singapore and would like to extend a Social Visit Pass: documents attest to your familial relationship with the permanent resident or citizen of Singapore.
Further papers may be requested by the ICA, depending on the circumstances of each case. Meanwhile, you and your local sponsor need to attend an interview.
You can stay for as long as 89 days after the original date of entry—not the date on which you are applying for the pass extension. Through ICS’s e-Service, you can submit an online application for a Visit Pass Extension. You can also apply in person at the ICA offices in Singapore if you are unable to do so online.
Other FAQs on Singapore Long-Term & Short-Term Visit Pass
Can I work in Singapore if I have a short-term visit pass?
No, you are not permitted to work while using your short-term visit pass. The only things you can do with this pass are travel to Singapore for social events and medical care. If you want to work in Singapore, you must apply for any of the work permits and passes provided by MOM by the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
What will happen if I overstayed in Singapore?
You mustn’t exceed the duration of your visit pass, since this will be deemed a violation of Singaporean regulations, and you will face severe consequences.
If you enter Singapore for longer than ninety days while in possession of a short-term visit pass, you will be fined $4000 USD and imprisoned for six months. You could be fined up to $6000 USD if you are not incarcerated.
What is a social visit pass in Singapore?
The term “social visit” describes the informal gathering held by formal group hosts to foster camaraderie and community. Usually, a social visit pass lasts for 14 to 30 days, and you can apply for an extension if you want to stay longer.
How long does it take to get a visit pass in Singapore?
You need to wait for the LTVP to process your application. Normally, it takes up to six weeks to get a Singapore visit pass.
How many times can I extend my visit pass in Singapore?
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) may let you apply for a 30-day extension of a short-term visit pass at one time in some exceptional cases.
The Bottom Line
That’s all about Singapore’s long-term visit pass and short-term visit pass. We can conclude that these two different types of Singapore visit passes are issued for different groups. If you just want to go to Singapore as a tourist and won’t stay longer than 30 days, then a short-term visit pass is enough. If you want to work or stay longer for other purposes, then you need to request a long-term visit. By following the procedures mentioned above and preparing complete documents, it is believed that you can successfully get a Singapore visit pass.
Dolores Xiao