Singapore · Southeast Asia · Reviewed 9 August 2026

Singapore entry visa: application, SG Arrival Card and entry guide

Learn the difference between a Singapore visa and permission to enter, how local-contact or mission applications work, what Form 14A supports and when to submit the SG Arrival Card.

What this visa or program is

A Singapore entry visa is a pre-entry permission for visa-required travellers; it is not an immigration pass and does not guarantee entry. At the checkpoint, ICA determines admission and length of stay.

Visa arrangements depend on the travel document. Applications may be submitted through a local contact or strategic partner in Singapore, an authorized visa agent or a Singapore overseas mission, depending on the applicant’s country.

Authority: ICA Singapore
Arrival form: SG Arrival Card
Passport: Usually 6+ months validity
Entry decision: At the checkpoint

This independent guide explains the normal route, not a personal eligibility decision. Immigration rules, fees and appointment procedures can change; check the linked authority and the office handling your application before submitting or paying.

Who needs it?

Travellers holding travel documents listed by ICA as visa-required.
Visa-exempt travellers still need to meet entry conditions and usually submit the SG Arrival Card.
Work, study and long-term stays require the relevant pass rather than relying on a visitor entry visa.

Core eligibility

Valid passport, sufficient funds and confirmed onward or return travel.
A genuine permitted visit with accommodation and contact details.
Use the official application route assigned to the passport and country of residence.
Meet health, security and immigration requirements at entry.

Documents and information to prepare

Completed Form 14A and passport biodata copy.
Recent digital or printed photograph meeting ICA specifications.
Local contact or letter of introduction where the country checklist requires it.
Flight, accommodation and additional supporting records or translations requested by the mission/agent.

How to apply, step by step

Check whether a visa is required
Use ICA’s list for the exact travel document, not only the country of residence.
Choose the authorized application channel
Follow the country-specific ICA page for local contact, agent or overseas-mission submission.
Prepare Form 14A and evidence
Keep identity, travel dates, accommodation and contact information consistent.
Receive the e-Visa
Verify the electronic visa details and travel with the same passport.
Submit the SG Arrival Card
Most foreign visitors submit it within three days before arrival, including arrival day. It is free on the official ICA channel and is not a visa.

Timing and fees

ICA generally recommends applying within 30 days before arrival; exact processing and agent service charges vary.
Verify the official visa fee and beware of sites charging for the free SG Arrival Card.

Validity and stay conditions

The e-Visa states its entry validity and does not determine the stay granted at the border.
The Visit Pass issued at entry records the authorized stay and conditions.

One important part of the application

Photo requirements

ICA’s online visa image has a specific pixel format. Cosmetic enhancement or AI alteration can make the portrait unreliable even when the dimensions are correct.

400 × 514 pixels for the online image
Comparable print format is 35 × 45 mm
Plain white background, evenly lit
Recent full-face image without digital enhancement

Read the detailed photo guide Create a Singapore visa photo

Photo Pass prepares the image in your browser. It does not submit the visa application or guarantee acceptance by an authority.

Common refusal or delay risks

Using an unauthorized channel or incomplete local-contact documentation.
Passport, form, itinerary and accommodation details that do not agree.
Low-quality or digitally enhanced photograph.
Confusing SG Arrival Card submission with visa approval.

After approval

Print or save the e-Visa and check passport details.
Submit the SG Arrival Card on the official site/app within the permitted window.
Carry onward travel and accommodation information and obey the Visit Pass conditions.

Official sources and next check

Use these authority pages to verify live eligibility, fees, forms, dates and submission instructions:

Prepare the photo when the application is ready

First confirm the correct visa route and current checklist. Then use the matching preset to crop and export the portrait privately on your device.

Create a Singapore visa photo