Entry Rules for Singapore

If you combine Dubai and Bali, you get Singapore: glass skyscrapers covered in green jungles, a humid climate, and the waters of two oceans. In this article, we tell you how Russians can get a Singaporean visa and what to consider before your trip.

Do I really need to go there?

Singapore attracts with its diverse types of tourism: some come here for pristine beaches, others for shopping and casinos. This Asian country has taken a little from each culture, making it one of the most multinational and vibrant states in the world. We've compiled a top 5 list of places to visit in Singapore if you're just as versatile.

• Marina Bay Sands

A resort, hotel, casino, theater, and a huge shopping mall with a giant rooftop pool (yes, those famous photos were taken right here). Marina Bay Sands is like the Eiffel Tower, but in Singapore: you can't come and not see it, otherwise it doesn't count. Located by the bay, Marina Bay consists of three towers connected by a cruise ship-shaped rooftop terrace. Its owners have done everything possible to ensure visitors have no need to leave this place. There are even gardens and a museum here. This pleasure, of course, comes at a corresponding price: the cost for one night in a standard room exceeds 40,000 rubles. However, what wouldn't you do for such a view…

• Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Real jungles with hills, lakes, wild animals, and hundreds of plant species. Surprisingly, this island of wild nature is located almost in the very center of Singapore. The reserve's territory is small — about one and a half square kilometers, but it hosts the largest remaining rainforest mass in the country. There are hiking trails of varying difficulty, but if you're not a fan of walking, you can take a tour bus. One thing is inevitable: curious monkeys will find you no matter what.

• Ferris Wheel

If you've ridden the “London Eye,” then know this: Singapore's Ferris wheel surpassed it by a full thirty meters. Is it worth saying that in this case, size matters? A rotation of the wheel takes about half an hour, but unfortunately, you won't be able to find solitude here: each cabin accommodates up to thirty people. However, an excellent panorama of the country's center and the waters of the Singapore Strait is definitely guaranteed. 

• Little India

Here's the promised multiculturalism, so you don't think we're making empty claims. If you want to see multi-armed Kali, buy the most beautiful sari, and eat khichari, you don't necessarily have to fly to Kolkata. Singapore's Indian quarter is located next to the Newton and Kallang districts, and the Indians living here are genuine, hereditary. Hindu temples, market stalls, street vendors — we highly recommend visiting this place, even if Indian culture hasn't interested you before. The quarter becomes especially colorful during local festivals. 

• Sentosa Island

Another tourist mecca in Singapore, connected to the main part of the country by a bridge. Besides sandy beaches and palm oases, it features Universal Studios park, a huge oceanarium, a cable car, and numerous attractions: you can go sledding, zip-line, and jump from a 50-meter tower. In short, it will be difficult to leave here dissatisfied: the island offers entertainment for every taste. You can get here by metro, bus, or monorail.

What about entry requirements?

In mid-February 2023, Singapore's Ministry of Health lifted COVID-19 restrictions: vaccination certificates and PCR tests are no longer required for entry into the country. Previously, unvaccinated tourists were required to obtain insurance covering COVID-19 treatment, but this rule has also ceased to apply. The mask mandate has been lifted.

Different Visas: Blue and Red

• Tourist Visa

The visa is electronic, so be prepared that a new sticker will not appear in your international passport. Its validity period is nine weeks, but continuous stay in the country is limited to 30 days. This means you can leave Singapore and return after some time: the visa is multiple-entry (just don't forget to count the weeks, we don't want you to be deported). The Singaporean embassy is responsible for reviewing applications and issuing visas, but you need to submit documents for it to one of the authorized visa agencies: here is their list. Here you will have to pay not only the visa fee (30 Singapore dollars) but also the agency's service fee. The latter varies depending on the urgency of visa processing.

• Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF)

Russians traveling with layovers have the opportunity to stay in Singapore for several days without a visa. The duration of such transit is 96 hours, and it is only possible if you have an air ticket to a third country (the first is the country of departure, the second is Singapore). For example, you are flying from Russia to Cambodia and making a short stop in Singapore. To avoid questions from border guards, you must have tickets to Cambodia with you — and strictly for an airplane. A steamboat, bus, or railway transport will not allow you to obtain visa-free transit. It is important that some airlines may not be aware of this possibility. Therefore, we advise you to print out information from the official website and refer to it if any problems arise. 

• Work Visa

A work visa should be considered an option in two cases. First: if you have a job offer from a Singaporean employer. For this case, an S-Pass or Employment Pass with subtypes P1, P2, and Q1 is suitable, depending on your salary level — from the highest, respectively. Second: you want to create your own business from scratch or relocate your lifelong existing business to Singapore. Business owners apply for an Entre Pass.

• Student Visa

A Student Pass is issued upon confirmation of admission to a Singaporean educational institution or a Russian one (if you are going for an internship or an exchange program). After enrollment, you need to fill out an application for a student visa. We are confident that you will not go through all the hardships of university life just for a visa, but just in case, we warn you: this type of visa can easily be lost due to missed classes and a lack of serious attitude towards studies.

Gathering Documents

To obtain a tourist visa for Singapore, Russian citizens must provide the following set of documents to a visa agency:

• completed application form in English;
• international passport (make sure its validity expires no earlier than six months after your entry into Singapore);
• copy of Russian passport;
• color photo (recent, on a white background, 3.5 x 4.5 cm);
• certificate of employment (with salary information) or study;
• recent bank statement (for individual entrepreneurs, LLC owners, students, and unemployed individuals);
• marriage certificate;
• flight booking;
• hotel booking;
• approximate travel plan and estimated expenses; a leave application signed by the employer (for women under 31 traveling alone).

We advise you to double-check the correctness of your email address, as the visa file will be sent to it. And don't forget about insurance — its presence is not a mandatory condition for obtaining a visa, but it will greatly ease your vacation (and the sleep of your loved ones). Upon entry into Singapore, you will need to present an arrival card — it must be filled out 72 hours before arrival.

Will it be rejected or not?

Usually, the application review takes three to five days, so within a week, you will definitely know if your trip will take place. There's no need to worry: if all documents were prepared correctly, the probability of refusal is very low. However, there are pitfalls here too — this concerns those women under 31 who must provide slightly more documents than all other applicants. The Singaporean embassy is very disappointed when young women cannot guarantee that they will return home to their husbands. Therefore, try to provide other guarantees of your return: studies, work, your own business.

How to get there

There are several airports in the country, but Changi Airport is responsible for most international flights. There are currently no direct flights between Russia and Singapore, but a connecting ticket can be purchased without problems: for example, the price for tickets from Moscow to Singapore starts from 40,000 rubles. Layovers are most often made in the UAE, China, and Turkey, so you can plan your route in advance and manage to see another city (just don't forget to resolve the transit issue). In addition, Russians can also enter Singapore by land, through Malaysia — by bus or car.

What if something goes wrong?

We hope you never need this compilation, but it's better to be prepared for anything (if you're waiting for a sign from fate to get insurance, this is it). We've compiled a list of emergency contacts for you:

• Russian Embassy duty officer in Singapore: +65-6235-1832, +65-6235-1834;
• ambulance: 995;
• fire brigade: 995;
• police: 999;
• Emergency services from mobile: 911, 112.

Now it's time to pack your bags and book a room at Marina Bay Sands — you can even do it on "Ostrovok". We wish you a great trip to Singapore!