Countries that require Singaporeans to apply for a visa or ETA before travelling

Travelling may sound like loads of fun, but it often comes with its fair share of administrative errands. Some common requirements include digging up travel documents and applications for travel visas. We get it: dealing with visa requirements before your vacation can feel like untangling headphone wires in the dark. This could be the case even for more experienced globetrotters or wanderlusts. 

In this article, we seek to provide you with valuable travel tips — more specifically, the latest information on pre-flight travel approvals required for several countries such as Australia, New Zealand and now the United Kingdom. From Electronic Travel Authorities (ETAs) to Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), we hope that it helps turn your epic travel woes into wows. Here’s to hassle-free travel experiences!

1. Australia: ETA

Did you know? All travellers entering Australia are required to hold a valid travel authorisation. Do not let the sound of that deter you though. 

An ETA, or electronic visa, is designed precisely to make the application process simple and convenient. This significantly simplifies the application procedure. It’s essentially the golden ticket you need to enter Australia. 

Unlike traditional visas, having a digital entry pass also means that you can get your travel documentation sorted from the comforts of home rather than in person. 

Singapore is one of the eight countries whose citizens are eligible for this. The ETA, if granted, will be valid for one year, allowing you to visit the country multiple times for up to 90 days per visit! 

To apply, simply download the Australian ETA mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play Store. The app is easy to use, and the application for a visa through it will only cost you AU$20 (S$18)! Upon submission, it typically takes the next 24 hours for you to be notified of the processing results. 

Alternatively, you can hop onto the official website and fill in the online form, detailing information such as your nationality, passport number, length of visit and more. Take note that applying for the visa via the website will cost you more money than via the app. This option is strictly for those who would rather not download the application onto their phones.

Pro-tip: Do visit the official websites of such visa applications, instead of third-party platforms which may charge you additional service fees for your application. If you’re unsure, click on the official links listed on Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the official web pages of visa applications.

2. Canada: ETA

Just like Australia, Singapore citizens are required to apply for a Canada ETA if they wish to enter Canada for visits lasting up to 90 days. This could be for reasons like tourism (holiday), medical, business or transit. Before travelling to Canada, you’ll also need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least three months past the expected departure date. Applicants must also have a valid credit or debit card on hand to complete the payment for the Canada eTA.

The application can be easily completed on the official site. If there are no errors in personal details, and once your credit card payment of fees (CAD$7, ~S$7) have been verified, you’ll directly receive the visa through e-mail. Once your Canada eTA has been approved, it will be valid for up to 5 years, or until your passport expires.

Here’s a tip! One mistake that commonly occurs during the application stage is name-related issues. According to their site, it’s stated that travellers should ensure that the name input on the form matches exactly the one given in their passport. Your name should also only be spelt using English characters. 

With the eTA, you’ll get to then enter and immerse yourself in the beauty of Canada. You know what that means: Time to enjoy poutine, hockey, and maybe even hotcakes with some delicious oozing maple syrup!

3. New Zealand: NZeTA

New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes naturally beckon visitors, but what you’ll need as a gateway to this paradise is the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Obtaining this is mandatory. If you’re travelling from Singapore to New Zealand as a family, each member would be required to apply for the NZeTA separately (including minors). 

Thankfully though, the NZeTA application process is rather straightforward, too, as it can be done 100% online. Like Australia and Canada, you do not need to attend any physical interview or visit the embassy. 

All you need to do is apply through the form on the official website, or the mobile app available on App Store or Google Play.

Singaporeans are permitted to stay in New Zealand for up to three months, and the process for approval could take up to 72 hours. With that in mind, do remember to apply for it well in advance! 

If the NZeTA is requested via the mobile app, fees would cost NSD$17 (~S$14). The website form will cost NZD$23 (~S$19). Once that is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email, with an authorisation that’s linked to your passport. 

On top of the NZeTA, Singaporean passengers travelling to New Zealand must also pay for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) priced at NSD$100 (~S$80). This is primarily used to sustain tourism and conservation projects in New Zealand. Think of it as your direct contribution to protecting the wondrous nature and infrastructure of the country. This only has to be paid once, whilst the NZeTA remains valid.

In addition, you will need to submit a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arriving at New Zealand. You can do so via their online website, on their mobile app available on both the App Store and on Google Play, or fill in a physical declaration form upon arrival. All travellers can submit their NZTD up to 24 hours prior to arrival.

4. United States of America: The ESTA

Here’s a fun fact: Since 1999, Singapore has been part of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). 

Due to this implementation, Singapore Citizens are permitted to utilise an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Plus, eligible citizens or nationals from Singapore can seamlessly travel to the United States (US) for leisure or business purposes, visa-free with this programme.

By passing conventional visa procedures, you’ll have the option to apply for the ESTA. Just like the others, this can be easily completed through an official online form consisting of personal details and questions. This would cost you approximately USD$21 (S$28).

Once that’s approved, you’ll be granted entry into the borders for up to 90 days with tourism, business and medical purposes in mind. Naturally, such an implementation helped to greatly boost tourism and business prospects between Singapore and the US.

5. India: eTV

Being one of the most popular destinations in Asia, India has managed its steady flow of tourists into its grounds through its visa: the e-Tourist Visa, or the e-TV. Application for an eTV can be done online via the Government of India’s official website.

You may apply for the eTV at least 4 days prior to your date of arrival, up to a maximum of 30 days before arrival. Do take note that you would have to upload a passport photo of yourself, as well as a photo of your passport. Payment of USD$25 (~S$32) must be made at least 4 days prior to your date of arrival, otherwise, the application will not be processed.

You are also highly recommended to carry a copy of your eTV with you during your travels, and the eTV will be valid for up to 30 days from the date of arrival in India.

6. Bhutan: e-Visa

Travelling to Bhutan from Singapore is now possible thanks to Drukair, Bhutan’s national carrier. Its flights connect from Changi Airport to Paro International Airport (via Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, India) twice a week, so making your way down there is a lot easier than you might think.

However, its visa requirements may prove to be hefty for some. Unless you’re a citizen of India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives, a visa is required if you’d like to pay a visit. The visa application process itself will cost you USD$40 (S$54.51), and you can apply online here. 

However, with each night you stay in Bhutan, a USD$100 (S$136.28) Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is required to be paid per traveller. You can make payment for the SDF alongside your visa, with the total amount calculated based on your Bhutan itinerary. Sure, it is pricey—but the sights and sounds of Bhutan’s environment are truly priceless to behold in person.

7. The United Kingdom: ETA

If you’re travelling to the United Kingdom (UK), great news! Singapore citizens holding a Singapore Passport won’t need to apply for a visa to enter the country.  

However, if you’re planning to enter the UK from 8 January 2025 onwards, you will need to apply for an ETA. Applications will start from 27 November 2024, and it’ll cost you £10 (~S$17). Once approved, you’ll be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time, and the ETA is valid for 2 years.

You can apply for the ETA online on their website, or download the UK ETA app on the App Store or on the Play Store. Applications may take up to 3 working days to process, so it is advisable to give yourself sufficient time to apply before you fly.

Pro-tip: If you’re arriving at one of the 15 equipped air and rail ports in the UK and have a biometric-equipped passport, you’ll be able to use the eGates for quicker entry into the country! Find out more about the eligibility of usage of the eGates here.

8. Thailand: ETA

As part of the 93 countries under the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme, tourists holding a Singapore Passport will not need to apply for a Visa to enter Thailand. As such, you will be able to enter Thailand for up to a period of 60 days, and it can be extended for another period up to 30 days.

Although there have been media reports that Thailand is planning to start a pilot phase of ETA implementation in December 2024, with a full roll-out by June 2025, there has been no official statement on the start of the pilot trial yet. 

When eventually launched, the ETA will be mandatory for the citizens of 93 countries who currently enjoy visa-free travel, including Singapore. It is said that ETA holders will also be able to enjoy access to the automated gates by scanning a QR code attached in the ETA.

As the ETA requirements for Singaporeans travelling to Thailand develops, we recommend you to closely monitor the news nearer to your date of travel. You may refer to the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) travel advisory for the latest information on travel to Thailand. 

9. Japan: Visa

Japan is one of Singaporean’s’ most sought-after travel destinations. If you’re planning a trip to Japan any time soon, you’ll be glad to know that you won't need to apply for a Visa to enter Japan if you are planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Although there are plans by the government to introduce a screening system to visitors from visa-exempt countries such as Singapore by 2030, nothing has been announced just yet. Still, it would be prudent to keep an eye on the latest developments by checking MFA’s travel advisory nearer to your planned travel date.

Due to the nature of frequent earthquakes and typhoons in Japan, we also recommend that you keep an eye on the Embassy of Singapore in Tokyo’s Facebook page for updates while you’re in the land of the rising sun.

 

There you have it, travellers! It’s said that the Singaporean passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world. Perhaps, that is because citizens are allowed entry to a significant number of countries without needing to obtain a visa at all. 

There are several countries where travel visas are required for Singapore passport holders. For the latest list and information, check on individual country pages on the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Also, since such visa applications require processing time, do cater for sufficient time for your applications, just in case you need to resubmit your application before the start of your trip.

It’s good to note, however, that even if visas are not required, most countries require an arrival form unlike Singapore’s arrival card. Air stewards will usually hand out immigration forms during the flight, but if you’d like to get through immigration faster, it always helps to check if there are online arrival forms to fill out in advance—or even better, if you can sign up for e-gate access like in Malaysia and Taiwan. 

We hope that this has been helpful for your future journeys. If still uncertain, do always check out official sources for any updates. With that, pack those bags and luggage and get ready to explore the wonders of the world!

 

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