Want to Go on Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance visa requirements vary according to the country in which your passport was issued and the purpose of your visit. There are two recognized groups: Group A and Group B.
Definition of Group A and Group B
Group A
People whose travel documents or passports were issued in the following countries belong to Group A and will need to follow the visa requirements for that group.
- Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan)
- Myanmar
- People’s Republic of China and holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity and Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Yemen
- Holders of Palestinian Authority Passport, Temporary Passport issued by the United Arab Emirates and Refugee Travel Document issued by Middle-East countries.
Group B: All other countries
If you have any doubt, whatsoever, about which group you belong to, you should consult the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Visa Type Required
Group A: If your travel documents are from the countries that appear in the Group A category, you will need a Business or Social Visa to enter Singapore.
Group B: No visa is required, you will be provided with a visit pass upon arrival in Singapore. If you are traveling on business you will need a Business Visit Pass and if you are traveling for pleasure you will need a Social Visit Pass.
Group A : Applying for a Business or Social Visa
A visitor requiring a visa must apply and receive the visa before travel to Singapore. Applications may be made through overseas Singapore missions. For their full application details you should visit the local office website. Processing can take any time between 4 days and 4 weeks so it is advisable to apply early. Upon arrival in Singapore you will be given a social or business visit pass depending upon the purpose of your trip. See “Social and Business Visit Pass” section below.
| Validity | Visa is issued for the period of 1 month. However, depending upon your circumstances, your Social or Business Visit Pass will only actually be valid for 14 days so you may need to leave Singapore and return in order to gain an additional Social Visit Pass. |
| Extending your stay | Visas can be extended in Singapore up to 3 months via the Immigration Department. |
| Number of entries | The visa is multiple entry, meaning that you can exit and re-enter Singapore as many times you like during the validity period of the visa. However, the visit pass you receive when arriving in immigration will only be valid once and you will require a new visit pass when you renter Singapore. You can receive this by completing the immigration card and handing it to customs officials on arrival in Singapore. |
| Required documents/specific conditions | In addition to your visa you must have the following:
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| Other specific conditions | Women who are six months pregnant or more may be refused entry |
| Right for dependents | Dependents will require their own visas. |
Group B: Business Visit Pass
Visitors to Singapore who are not from any of the countries named in category A, will be provided with a visit pass on arrival. If you are visiting Singapore for business purposes you will be provided with a Business Visit Pass.
| Validity | Visa is issued for the period of 1 month. However, depending upon your circumstances, your Business Visit Pass will only actually be valid for 14 days so you may need to leave Singapore and return in order to gain an additional days. |
| Extending your stay | If you wish to apply for a longer stay then you may do so by completing an online application via Singapore’s e-Xtend system. Business visit pass extensions of up to 30 days are permitted and you will not be required to leave the country to activate them. You will need a representative from a sponsoring company to verify your application and you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
For further details of the process and documents required see the ICA guidelines for extending a visit pass for business purposes. Some people choose to leave Singapore and renter as opposed to filing an official application for a new visit pass. This may not always be successful and the number of times you will be permitted to do this cannot be guaranteed. |
| Number of entries | The visit pass is only valid for one entry. If you leave Singapore you will need a new visit pass upon re-entry. |
| Required documents/specific conditions |
|
| Right for dependents | Dependents must apply for a social visit passes independently. |
Group B: Social Visit Pass
People who hold travel documents from all countries excluding those listed in category A, are eligible for a Social Visit Pass on arrival.
| Validity | Visa is issued for the period of 1 month. However, depending upon your circumstances your Business Visit Pass will only actually be valid for 14 days so you may need to leave Singapore and return in order to gain an additional days. |
| Extending your stay | If you wish to apply for a longer stay then you may do so by completing an online application via Singapore’s e-Xtend system. Social visit pass extensions of up to 90 days are permitted and you will not be required to leave the country to activate them. You will need a local sponsor who is a Singapore Citizen or permanent resident and is over the age of 21 and you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
For further details of the process and documents required see the ICA guidelines for extending a visit for social purposes. |
| Number of entries | The visit pass is only valid for one entry. If you leave Singapore you will need a new Social Visit Pass upon re-entry into the country. |
| Required documents/specific conditions |
|
| Other specific conditions |
|
| Right for dependents | Dependents must apply for social visit passes independently. |
