Do Indian Citizens Need A Singapore Transit Visa: Eligibility And Requirements

01-Mar-2023

8 min read

Singapore's Changi International Airport has been dubbed one of the best international airports for the last seven years. And hundreds of flights from India transit through the Singaporean airport.

However, there has been constant confusion surrounding whether a Singapore transit visa for Indian citizens is required. So, let me answer all your questions in this blog.


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Do Indians Need A Singapore Transit Visa?

India belongs to the Assessment Level One Countries, meaning that Indian citizens need a visa and are eligible to apply for a visa online on the ICA e-channel through a local contact in Singapore. Therefore, if they wish to enter Singapore for tourism, transit, or any other purposes applying for a Singapore tourist visa for Indian nationals is a must.

Let us look more in-depth at the Singapore transit visa for Indians:

Is There A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

For Indian transit travelers, there are many nuanced rules and guidelines that you must remember. First, you should know that there is no "Singapore Transit Visa" for Indians or other citizens.

Regardless, for the sake of this blog, we will refer to a standard Singapore entry visa as a transit visa.

Indian citizens who wish to leave the transit area must get a Singapore transit visa (standard Singapore visa). However, for eligible Indian citizens, there is Visa Free Transit Facility or VFTF Singapore available that allows them to transit visa-free.

An Indian traveler who is not in possession of a valid Singapore visa and not eligible for VFTF Singapore will not be allowed to enter Singapore if they leave the transit area.

Should you need a Singapore transit visa for Indians, you can apply for one quickly and hassle-free using Atlys.

When Is A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians Not Required?

Indian citizens do not need to get a Singapore transit visa for Indians when they are transiting through the Changi international airport. However, they must also meet the below requirements:

  • You have booked a single ticket to your final destination
  • Checked in for your entire trip until your final destination
  • Your baggage is checked until your final destination
  • You do not need to leave the transit area
  • You do not have to pass through the immigration

Additionally, the terminals on the airside in the Changi international airport are interlinked. Therefore, you do not need a Singapore visa if you need to change terminals for the same airline without leaving the transit area.

When Is A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians Required?

If Indian transit travelers know they will need to leave the transit area in the Singapore airport, they must get a standard Singapore Visa for Indians to avoid any problems.

Additionally, if you are traveling with airlines that require you to change the flight to a low-cost carrier or book separate tickets, you might need to leave the transit area and check in again; you will need a Singapore visa for Indians.

In essence, if you know that you will at some point have to pass through the immigration desk at the Changi international airport, you will need a Singapore transit visa for Indians.


What Is Visa Free Transit Facility Or VFTF For Indians?

As I mentioned earlier, some Indian citizens are eligible for visa-free transit offered by the Singapore government. For example, a Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF Singapore) allows Indian citizens traveling to a third country via Singapore to transit visa-free by air for up to 96 hours.

However, for Indian citizens to be able to transit through Singapore visa-free, they must meet additional eligibility criteria and entry requirements.

Singapore Skyline sunset

What Are The Eligibility Criteria For VFTF Singapore For Indians?

If you are eligible for a VFTF Singapore, you will not need to get a Singapore transit visa for Indians. To be eligible for a VFTF Singapore for Indian passport holders, they must meet the following requirements:

  • Indian citizens are only eligible for up to a 96-hour Visa Free Transit Facility.
  • They are transiting to or from a third country by air.
  • Indian citizens can enter Singapore with any mode of transportation but must depart via air or sea within the next 96 hours.
  • You must have an onward air ticket, cruise ticker, or a ferry ticket to your destination.
  • They must have a long-term visa or a valid visa from allowed countries that is valid for at least 1 month from the date of entry in Singapore.
  • The allowed visas are from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
  • They must have the required documents to present to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers.
  • If you return to India with a single journey visa from a third country, you can get a VFTF Singapore provided you have not been to your home country since you last used your single journey visa.

The visa granted by Germany, Switzerland, or the Schengen area must be valid and should allow you entry into Germany or Switzerland.

If you don't meet the eligibility criteria for the VFTF Singapore for Indians, you can apply for the Singapore visa with Atlys


What Are The Required Documents To Apply For A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

As I mentioned, if your flights are organized so that you have to pass through immigration, you will need to get a pre-arranged visa. This is because Indian citizens cannot get a visa on arrival or visa-free entry.

Hence, you must apply for a standard entry visa with all the necessary travel documents. Such as:

For a more extensive list of documents, read our blog on Singapore Visa For Indian Citizens.

If you apply for your visa using Atlys, you do not have to worry about gathering paper documents since you will upload them on the Atlys app.


How To Apply For A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

Singapore transit visa for Indians can be applied the same way as you would for a standard visa. Indian citizens have three ways of applying for their visas.

Applying Through Atlys

If you want to apply for a Singapore visa in India easily and quickly without all the paperwork, use Atlys. You can complete your entire application process on Atlys.

The Atlys app has the most efficient tools you can use for free such as visa photo tool, flight itinerary and hotel Itinerary which makes it easy to finish your Singapore visa faster.

Applying Through An Authorized Visa Agents

In India, the Singapore Embassy/High Commission does not accept visa applications directly, and you must apply for any visa via authorized visa agents. You can find the list of the authorized agents on the Sinapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for specific cities.

Applying Through The ICA Website

If you have a local contact such as friends, family, or business partners in Singapore that can apply for a visa, they can do so via the ICA Website. You can provide them with the necessary information to apply online.

You can read about the application process on our Singapore Visa For Indians blog.


What Are The Entry Requirements In Singapore For Indians?

Even if you are only transiting through the Singapore international airport and will have to go through immigration, you must know about the entry requirements. All incoming passengers into Singapore must have the following documents:

  • A valid passport with at least six months validity from your arrival date.
  • A submitted SG Arrival Card.
  • A valid Singapore visa for Indians.
  • Boarding pass for the flight.
  • A confirmed onward or return air ticket.
  • Evidence that you can enter your next destination (for example, a valid visa).
  • A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if you travel from a Yellow Fever country.
  • Travelers must adhere to the latest travel requirements and advisories on the SafeTravel website.

In summary, if you are not leaving the transit area at Changi international airport, you do not have to worry about getting a Singapore visa for Indians. However, ensure you know whether you must pass through immigration to catch your next flight.

Also, do not forget to check out the blog on Singapore Visa For Indian Citizens if you need more information on the visa application process. Now you are good to go for your trip.

Happy Traveling!

Written By: Nikhita Rathod

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

In short, the answer is NO; there is no Singapore transit visa for Indians. Therefore, if you pass through the immigration at the Changi international airport when transiting in Singapore, you will have to get a Singapore short-term pass or entry visa to be able to transit without problems.

Do I Need A Visa To Transit Through Singapore?

Yes. Indian citizens who wish to enter the country for any purpose need to get a valid Singapore visa for Indians. There is no visa-on-arrival facility for Indian citizens. Hence they will have to apply for a visa for Singapore from India before their travel to Singapore.

How Much Is A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

A Singapore transit visa for Indians will cost them SGD 30 1 697,37 Indian Rupee (current exchange rate).

When Must I Apply For A Singapore Transit Visa In India?

The visa processing time for an online Singapore visa application is three business days from receipt of the complete application. And if you apply through an agent, it could take longer. Hence, Indian citizens must apply for their visa for Singapore from India well in advance.

What Is The Processing Time For A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

If you applied via a visa agent, the processing time could be more than 3-5 working days. However, if you applied online via the ICA website, the processing time is 3 working days.

Do I Need A Transit Visa To Change Terminals At The Airport?

Terminals 1,2 and 3 at the Changi airport are interconnected. Therefore, if you fly with the same airlines throughout the trip, you will not need a Singapore transit visa for Indians. However, if you are flying with a low-cost carrier and need to check in for the flights or your bags, you will need to go through immigration, for which you need a Singapore transit visa for Indians.

What If I Am Not Eligible For A Visa Free Transit Facility or VFTF For Indians?

If you are not eligible for VFTF for Indians and you will not leave the transit area at the Changi international airport and do not pass through immigration, you do not need to get a Singapore visa.

Can Indians Get A Visa On Arrival For Singapore?

No. Unfortunately, there is no Singapore visa on arrival for Indians. Indians that wish to visit or transit Singapore must get a visa before their trip.

When Do I Not Need A Singapore Transit Visa For Indians?

Suppose you do not leave the transit area or the international terminals at the Changi international airport and do not pass through immigration at the airport. In that case, you do not need to get a Singapore transit visa for Indians.

What If I Do Not Leave The Transit Area In Singapore?

You do not need a Singapore visa if you do not leave the transit area or the international terminals at the Changi international airport.

Do I Need Anything If I Am Not Leaving The Transit Area In Singapore?

If you are not leaving the transit area of the Changi international airport, you will need your passport and your boarding pass.

Is There A Specific Sinagore Transit Visa For Indians?

To answer this question shortly, no. There is, unfortunately, no specific Singapore transit visa for Indians. Therefore, those not eligible for VFTF Singapore must get an entry visa if they need to change flights or leave the transit area before traveling through Singapore.

Can I Extend My Singapore Transit Visa for Indians?

Since Singapore does not have a transit visa for Indians, you will have to get a standard visa for Singapore from India. However, a Singapore visa for Indians can be extended from the ICA e-service website.

Can I Extend My Stay On A VFTF Singapore For Indians?

No. While traveling on a VFTF Singapore for Indian citizens, you cannot extend your stay beyond the allowed period, which is a maximum of 96 hours.

Who Can Use The VFTF Facility In Singapore?

The Commonwealth of Independent States nationals, Georgia, India, the People's Republic of China (PRC), Turkmenistan, and Ukraine, can use the VFTF Singapore if they meet the requirements.

Singapore Visa Cost For Indians?

The Singapore visa cost for Indians is INR 1 697,37.

Do Indians Need Visa For Singapore?

Do Indian Need Visa For Singapore? Well, the simple answer is yes that you will need one to travel to Singapore.

Singapore Tourist Visa For Indian Passport Holders

Indian citizens can apply for a Singapore Tourist visa, and we have a blog that will explain the process to you. Just click here.

Singapore Visa From India Cost

The Singapore visa fee for Indian citizens is INR 2380 (current exchange rate). Indian citizens can use a debit or credit card to pay for a Singapore visa online.

Do We Need Visa For Singapore From India

Indian citizens traveling to Singapore will need to apply for a visa before traveling to Singapore.

Online Singapore Visa For Indian Citizens

Indian nationals can apply for their Singapore visa online through Atlys

Singapore Visa Online From India

Indian citizens can apply for their Singapore visa online through Atlys

Singapore Visa Requirements For India

When applying for your Singapore visa, you will need the following documents:

  • A complete Singapore Visa application form (From 14a)
  • Your valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months past your exit date
  • Copy of your passport biometric information must be in A4 format
  • Flight itinerary (can be a return air ticket)
  • Passport size color photograph (your passport photo must have a white background)
  • Letter of introduction (the same as an invitation letter that your local contact or strategic partner must complete)
  • A credit card (you must show that you have a VISA or Mastercard to pay the processing fee)
Singapore Visa Fees For Indian Passport Holders

The Singapore Tourist Visa cost is 30 USD 1 697,37 Indian Rupee (current exchange rate).

Tourist Visa For Singapore For Indian

Indian nationals can apply for their Singapore visa online through Atlys

Singapore Visa For Indians Cost

The Singapore visa fee for Indian citizens is INR 1 697,37. Indian citizens can use a debit or credit card to pay for a Singapore visa online.

Singapore Visa On Arrival For Indian Passport

No. Unfortunately, there is no Singapore visa on arrival for Indians. Indians that wish to visit or transit Singapore must get a visa before their trip.

Singapore Visa Cost India

The visa fees will change depending on which visa you are applying for.

Singapore Tourist Visa Cost 1 697,37 INR (30 USD) Singapore Multiple Entry Visa Cost 1 697,37 INR (30 USD) Singapore Student Pass Cost 7 120 INR (90 USD) Singapore Employment Permit Cost 8 300 INR (105 USD) Singapore Work Permit Cost 2 800 INR (35 USD)

Singapore Visa For Indian Passport Holders On Arrival

No. Unfortunately, Indian nationals cannot get a visa on arrival in Singapore. Indians must apply for an evisa beforehand.

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