Pre-arrival card
Official portal
https://www.ica.gov.sg/Specifics
- SG Arrival Card free; submit within 3 days before arrival.
- Vapes and e-cigarettes banned; possession produces fines and confiscation.
- Death penalty for drug trafficking.
By passport nationality
Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Singapore’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.
- US passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days; SG Arrival Card mandatory.
- UK passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days.
- EU passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days for most EU.
- CA passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days.
- AU passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days.
- IN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 30 daysPre-arrival: Singaporean consular visa
- Consular visa for Indian passport-holders; or 96-hour transit.
- BR passportVisa-freeUp to 30 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 30 days for Brazilian passport-holders.
- JP passportVisa-freeUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 90 days.
- CN passportVisa-freeUp to 30 daysPre-arrival: SG Arrival Card
- Visa-free 30 days for Chinese passport-holders since February 2024 (mutual with China).
Practical guidance
For most short-stay tourists
The headline rule for Singapore is 90 days visa-free for most western nationalities. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 90 days, with SG Arrival Card required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.
Pre-arrival documentation
Singapore requires SG Arrival Card before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Singapore.
When to apply
For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Singapore’s official portal is www.ica.gov.sg; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Singapore embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.
Common rejection reasons
Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Singapore explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.
Related for Singapore
More on Singapore
Singapore is among the safest countries in the world by every general crime measure and operates one of the most efficient traveller infrastructures on the planet (Changi airport, the MRT, ubiquitous English, instant payments). The risks are not crime: they are the death-penalty drug law, the wider list of unusually-strict regulatory offences (vape ban, jaywalking enforcement, the well-known fines for spitting and littering), the haze season when Indonesian peat fires drift north, year-round dengue endemicity, and the practical considerations of one of the most expensive cities in the world. This guide unpacks the entry mechanics, the regulatory landscape that catches first-time visitors, the haze and dengue calendar, the healthcare system, and the practical contacts for an exceptionally smooth itinerary.
Frequently asked about Singapore
Do I need a visa to travel to Singapore?
The headline rule is: 90 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Singapore's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.
How long can I stay in Singapore on a tourist visa?
90 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. SG Arrival Card is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.
Can I extend my visa once I'm in Singapore?
Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Singapore's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.