As required with any other country, entering Singapore requires a valid visa too. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority is the body that issues visas to anyone entering the city-state. A Singapore visa is a pre-entry permission for the visa holder. The duration of one's stay and Singapore visa depend on the purpose of his/her entry into the country. India falls under the Assessment Level 1 countries and hence, Indians can apply for Singapore visa from the following list that the ICA issues for various purposes:

• Tourist visa: While some nationalities are exempted from applying for a tourist visa, Indian citizens can apply for this visa both online and offline. Applying for Singapore visa online is a much more hassle-free process as compared to the offline one. Hence, some people prefer applying for Singapore visa online. While applying for Singapore visa, Indians should go through the website thoroughly so as to understand each and every requirement.

• Employment pass: This type of Singapore visa is basically for skilled workers and company owners. To apply for this, one must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned on the official website. The permit is valid from 1 to 2 years and can be extended depending on the duration of one’s work contract. 

• Entrepreneur pass: Business owners who want to relocate to the country must apply for this type of Singapore visa. This pass is granted for 1 year and can be extended as long as one’s business is operable.

• Personalised employment pass: Applicants who apply for this pass have the liberty to switch jobs and not be tied to one employer. However, the condition is that this visa holder must not be unemployed for longer than 6 months to receive the pass. The Singapore visa is valid for 3 years and cannot be renewed.

• S pass: The S pass is for those who are mid-skilled and meet the income criteria mentioned on the official website. The visa is valid from 1 to 2 years and can be extended for the duration of one’s work contract.

• Dependent pass: This Singapore visa is for the spouse or children (who are younger than 21) whose spouse or parent has an Employment or S pass. However, in order to apply for this Singapore Visa, the spouse or parent working in Singapore must meet the income criteria.

• Permanent Residence Pass: One who has a professional work pass is automatically eligible for a permanent residence pass, provided he/she meets the other requirements.

• Singapore Visa-free Transit Facility: This Singapore visa for Indians allows citizens to obtain 96-hours Visa-free Transit Facility (FVTF). However, apart from the transit time, the permit doesn’t allow one to extend his/her stay in the country. While other countries have different permissions, Indian citizens only have permission to apply for this visa for air travel. To avail FVTF, Indian citizens must also meet the requirements stated on the ICA website.

Application process: The procedure for application of Singapore visa for Indians is quite easy and can be completed in a few days. However, as per rules, walk-in applications aren't accepted, so the process is done through authorised visa agents. While applying for Singapore visa, it is important to go through the website thoroughly.

For applying Singapore visa online, applicants can download the Singapore visa form from the official website or take a copy from the hired agent. One can also directly apply for the Singapore visa online, or the applicant’s local sponsor in Singapore can apply on his/her behalf. To be able to do this, the sponsor must have a ‘Singpass account’. If one hires an agent to complete the application process, he/she can find authorised agents located in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. Once the application is completed and sent and fees is paid, the agent will review it. The processing time depends on the city in which the agent is based, and the applicant can track the progress using the application reference number given by the agent.

Documents required: When one applies for a Singapore visa, he/she needs to submit documents such as the filled application form, passport with 6 months validity, recent photographs as per specifications, a letter of introduction and residential proof.

Singapore Visa  

A Singapore visa is mandatory to visit the island city-state be it for business, employment or for holidays. A short term e- tourist visa for a stay of 30 days is issued in the ETA or electronic travel authorization form. The purpose of the visit determines the type of visa that you are eligible for and the Singapore visa fees that you need to pay. The simple e-visa Singapore visa process is faster. All that you need to do is to pay the visa fees online, share your documents and your passport to start the Singapore visa process.    

Types of Singapore Visa 

It is easy to apply for a Singapore visa and the Singapore visa process is quick. People visit Singapore for various reasons. It could be for tourism, for studies or business.

Make sure to know of the Singapore visa information and the Singapore visa types to get entry into the country because the type of Singapore visa and the Singapore visa process will vary based on what your Singapore visa requirements are.

• A Tourist visa is issued in the ETA or the electronic travel authorization format which is given to those who want to visit Singapore for tourism. This Singapore visa type needs to be obtained before arrival.
• A business or a work visa is for those who wish to seek employment in the country. It is also for those looking to start their own business in Singapore. This Singapore visa form is also referred to as an entrepreneur pass or employment pass.
• A student Singapore visa is mandatory for those wishing to study in Singapore. This visa type is also known as the student’s pass.

Documents Required for Singapore Visa 

To apply for a Singapore visa it is important to submit the following Singapore visa documents in proper order.

• Visa form duly filled.
• Passport with a validity of six months. It should have at least two blank pages for stamping visa.
• Photocopy of the first and the last page of the passport.
• Two copies of the recent colored photograph with dimension 35*45mm clicked on a plain and white background. The face should cover 80% of the frame with ears and face visible.
• Last 3 months bank statement with the banks signature and stamp on every page.
• Return air ticket confirmed.
• Covering letter stating the reason for the visit, detailed itinerary, accommodation during the stay in Singapore, trip expense details, travel dates, and the number of passengers. It should also mention the person who is going to bear the total expense.
• Present address proof.
• Leave authorization on the company’s letterhead.

Singapore Visa Fees 

The Singapore visa fees need to be paid in cash only. The visa charges for Singapore for a tourist visa are MYR 91. A service tax of MYR 59 is levied on the visa fee. The same fee applies to a Singapore business visa.

The Singapore visa fees are non-refundable. The Singapore visa fees is non-refundable even if the visa gets rejected by the Singapore embassy. The Singapore visa fees, taxes, and other visa charges can change from time to time without any prior notice.

The time for Singapore visa process ranges from three to five working days after the authorized visa agent submits the application. Weekends and public holidays are excluded. Some applications may take longer for the Singapore visa process during peak season. There could also be a delay in the Singapore visa procedure in case the Embassy needs any additional Singapore visa documents from you.

Get the Singapore visa information and keep the following points in mind when applying for a Singapore visa.

• An incomplete document or form could lead to the visa being rejected or a delay in the Singapore visa process.
• Possessing a visa does not necessarily mean a guaranteed entry into Singapore. This is dependent on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the Singapore entry point. 
• The Singapore visa validity is the period where the visa holder can seek entry into Singapore.

Singapore Visa Centres in India 

The Singapore Consulate-General in Mumbai is authorized for the Singapore visa process of the business or social visa applications for Indian nationals. Walk-ins are no longer accepted and all the Singapore visa applications need to be submitted through e-visa or the new electronic visa.

The online submission can be done only by authorized agents only. The visa agents authorized by the Singapore High Commission are located in Delhi NCR, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab and they can give you all the Singapore visa information. Make sure to check the list of the authorized agents in your state and submit your Singapore visa application through them only for your Singapore visa procedure to start.