Short-Term Visit Pass: Requirements, Eligibility & How to Apply
Singapore has relaxed visa requirements for most countries. If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you do not need to apply for a visa before departure. The length of stay for a short-term visit varies between countries or regions. Visitors from ASEAN countries, for instance, are entitled to 30 days of stay, while those from countries in the European Union are entitled to 90 days of stay. Such a length of stay may seem long and sufficient to entice tourists and travellers to Singapore for leisure purposes. However, some may travel to Singapore for reasons beyond leisure, such as for attending company meetings or conferences, and may need a longer stay. In such cases, they can apply for a Singapore Short-Term Visit Pass extension online through Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It is recommended to apply for a short-term visit pass in Singapore seven days before the pass expires to avoid overstaying, which is a punishable offence. This guide covers what a short-term visa pass Singapore is, its eligibility criteria and how to extend the visit pass in Singapore. Let’s dive in.
What is a Short-Term Visit Pass in Singapore?
Eligibility Criteria for a Short-Term Visit Pass
To be eligible for an STVP, you will need to meet specific criteria. These criteria may vary depending on the purpose of your visit. But the requirements will typically include the following:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity
- A confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Sufficient funds to cover the entire trip to Singapore
- Proof of accommodation during your stay
- An immediate family member of a Singapore citizen or PR
- A clean criminal record and not being prohibited from entering Singapore
Short-Term Visit Pass – Documents to Apply for Extension
If you need to extend your visit pass in Singapore due to certain unforeseen circumstances, an extension may be possible, and ICA has made the process easier. According to the ICA, you will need to prepare the following documents to apply for STVP extension:
- A valid travel document, such as a passport with at least six months of validity, and a scanned copy of the page containing your personal particulars.
- Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) number that can be found in your SG Arrival Card.
- If you have immediate family members who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, you will need a document to verify the relationship.
- Those seeking an extension for medical purposes must fill out a Form V75, duly endorsed by a registered doctor in Singapore with details of the illness and the length of stay needed for treatment.
Validity Check for Short-Term Visit Pass
To avoid penalties for overstaying, you can conduct a visit pass validity check with the ‘visit pass validity tool’ or the e-Pass enquiry portal. After you have checked your visit pass status, you will need to check if you need to fulfil a local sponsor requirement. Aside from checking the local sponsorship requirement, you will need to know the fees and processing time.
Local Sponsor Requirement for Short-Term Visit Pass Singapore
Here are the requirements to be a local sponsor:
- A Singapore citizen or a Singapore Permanent resident
- Must be at least 21 years old with a Singpass Account
You and your local sponsor may also be requested to attend an interview at the ICA Building for further clarification.
Short-Term Visit Pass Singapore: Fees and Processing Time
Upon approval, you will need to pay the following non-refundable fees to extend your visit pass Singapore: Extension Fee: S$40 when the current valid pass reaches a period of 90 days or more from the date of entry/issuance of the pass. This fee is also applicable if the extension granted leads to the applicant staying in Singapore for another 90 days or more from the date of entry/issuance of the pass. Visa Fee (where applicable): S$30 if you have stayed in Singapore beyond the relevant visa-free period. The STVP extension will only be granted when payment is made. If payment is not made on time, the application will be withdrawn, and you are advised to depart on or before the expiry date of your existing STVP. It usually takes five working days (excluding public holidays and weekends) for the short-term visit pass extension to be processed.Extend Your Stay with Lanturn’s Immigration Services
Extending your visit pass in Singapore beyond 30 days is common if you are on a business trip or attending a conference. However, navigating the short-term visit pass extension process can be challenging. From eligibility requirements to document submission and fees, any missteps can lead to a rejected extension application. Lanturn has helped companies and individuals with their STVP extension and other work passes. If you’re facing difficulties applying for an extension or unsure about the criteria, schedule a call with us—we’re here to help.
Singapore has lenient visit pass and visa requirements for citizens of most countries. If you are a citizen under the following countries mentioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it means that you wouldn’t have to apply for a visa before departure.
The period of the short-term visit pass varies for each country or region. Visitors from ASEAN countries, for instance, are entitled to 30 days of stay, whereas those from countries in the European Union are entitled to 90 days of stay. The length of stay may seem long enough for leisure purposes, hopefully, to entice tourists and travellers to Singapore, especially now that the country has begun to establish travel bubbles with several countries such as Germany and Brunei. These travel bubbles allow tourists to visit Singapore without serving a stay-at-home notice (SHN). You may roam around Singapore as long as you have your vaccination documents with you.
However, for those who visit for reasons other than leisure, like medical purposes, the given length of stay may not be adequate; they may wish to extend their stay in Singapore. This is where a Singapore visa pass extension comes into the picture. As the name implies, it means that you request your visit to be extended past your original date. This process must be done online via Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). It is advisable to apply for a visa extension seven days before the expiry date of your visa pass to avoid overstaying, which is a punishable offence.
Visit Pass Singapore– Documents to Apply for Extension
According to the ICA, in applying for your visa extension, several documents must be submitted via the e-Services. They are as follows:
- Passport with at least six months validity and submit a copy of the page that contains your personal particulars.
- Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) number that can be found in your SG Arrival Card.
- If you have immediate family members who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, a document proving the relationship is required.
- Those seeking an extension for medical purposes must fill out a Form V75, stating the details of the illness and the length of stay needed for treatment. It must be endorsed by a registered doctor in Singapore.
The Need for Local Sponsor
Generally, you don’t need a local sponsor if your extension request is only for 30 days unless you are originating from these countries. If you seek an extension of 89 days from the date of entry, you will also need a sponsor.
Please note that the local sponsor needs to be a Singaporean Citizen or a Singapore permanent resident who is at least 21 years old with a Singpass account. You and your local sponsor may also be requested to attend an interview at the ICA Building for further clarification.
Fees and Processing Time
You must pay $40 when the current valid pass reaches a period of 90 days or more from the date of entry or the pass being issued. It usually takes one to three business days for your extension pass to be given regarding processing time.
A $40 fee is required to extend your visa after your current valid pass reaches a period of 90 days after being issued. It usually takes one to three business days to process your visa extension request.
As you can see, applying for a visa extension in Singapore is not as complicated as it may seem if you know the proper documents and fees to submit. We hope this article can guide you to extend your existing pass with ease.
Having trouble getting your Visa extended in Singapore? Reach out to Lanturn today.
