Singapore's e-passport gates now opens to Australians

[MEL_Traveller]

No, a *regular* Singapore visit pass without any e-passport registration is valid for 90 days.

Interesting... checking the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority for Singapore (ICA - Entry Requirements) simply advises passengers to check the number of days they have been granted entry.

TIMATIC clearly states a limited 30 day entry and that stays up to 90 days require a visa. I guess if your ticket is for more than 30 days airlines could refuse you boarding.

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[TD="class: label w120, align: right"]Nationality[/TD]
[TD="class: detail left, colspan: 2"]Australia[/TD]
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[TD="class: label w120, align: right"]Destination[/TD]
[TD="class: detail left"]Singapore[/TD]
[TD="class: right, align: right"]Modify search[/TD]
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Visa & Passport Information

[h=3]Destination - Singapore (SG)[/h]Passport
Passport required.
Passport Exemptions:
Holders of temporary or emergency passports.

Document Validity:
Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.

Minors:
Passport not required for children up to/ incl. 15 years of age provided travelling with a parent or legal guardian, and being registered in the passport or passport replacing document of the companion.

Warning:
Passport number and nationality must match those stated on the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC).


Visa
Visa required.
Visa Exemptions:
Nationals of Australia for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Nationals of Australia with an APEC Business Travel Card valid for travel to Singapore if traveling on business for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Additional Information:
Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination.
Extension of stay possible for a fee of SGD 40.-. For more information: www.ica.gov.sg
Expectant mothers visiting Singapore for the purpose of delivering their child in Singapore must apply for a Visit Pass prior to their visit. The Visit Pass can be applied for at www.ica.gov.sg (Apply for Visit Pass). Applications take 4 to 6 weeks to process. A Visit Pass is not required for nationals of Singapore or alien residents of Singapore holding a Re-entry Permit issued by Singapore.

Warning:
Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

 

[Awesom Andy]

My visit stamps from a few years ago are 90 days as well. I guess if they deem you as low-risk, they'll give you a 90 day stamp in case you might like to extend your stay.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

My visit stamps from a few years ago are 90 days as well. I guess if they deem you as low-risk, they'll give you a 90 day stamp in case you might like to extend your stay.

Yep – my entry stamps are 90 days too.

Here's the back page from my passport if anyone's interested:

 

[Danger]

I'm keen to get this e-passport thingy attached to my passport. I've got a trip to Singapore in the next few weeks and will pass back through a couple of days later which will make two entries and exits.

I was thinking of taking the bus to Johor Bahru in between and getting two more. However, the stamps would be for the same day (ie. exit Singapore to Malaysia; enter Singapore from Malaysia times two).

Is this likely to not go down well with Singapore Immigration when I present it as part of my four entries and therefore prevent me from getting the e-passport endorsement?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm keen to get this e-passport thingy attached to my passport. I've got a trip to Singapore in the next few weeks and will pass back through a couple of days later which will make two entries and exits.

I was thinking of taking the bus to Johor Bahru in between and getting two more. However, the stamps would be for the same day (ie. exit Singapore to Malaysia; enter Singapore from Malaysia times two).

Is this likely to not go down well with Singapore Immigration when I present it as part of my four entries and therefore prevent me from getting the e-passport endorsement?

It's only three entries and exits required, so no need for the extra one!

I feel like it should be okay. On paper there are no entry duration requirements, just a quantity. I really wouldn't worry about it – three entries is three entries.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Also, a note on the extra passport photo. I forgot to bring one and it was no issue at all. They just took a photo and scanned fingerprints.

And, something I just noticed from the Ausbt article, the photo shows a passport with only 30 days written into it. So at some point they must have started writing '90 days' instead?

 

[ajd]

Also, a note on the extra passport photo. I forgot to bring one and it was no issue at all. They just took a photo and scanned fingerprints.

And, something I just noticed from the Ausbt article, the photo shows a passport with only 30 days written into it. So at some point they must have started writing '90 days' instead?

Certainly possible that individual officers may just forget to write it. (I did notice that last time I entered Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint the officer hesitated noticeably for a few seconds before he swapped stamps having presumably dealt with mostly Malaysians all day...)

 

[defurax]

Yep – my entry stamps are 90 days too.

Here's the back page from my passport if anyone's interested:
View attachment 64215

So the access is now for 5 years? Instead of 2 as stated in AusBT article? (assuming passport validity of at least 5 years). If it's 5 years I might actually spend the time to enroll.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

So the access is now for 5 years? Instead of 2 as stated in AusBT article? (assuming passport validity of at least 5 years). If it's 5 years I might actually spend the time to enroll.

Haha actually I completely overlooked that – of course, you're right! Five years in fantastic. I didn't even acknowledge that it was more than the two years advertised.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Some passports don't last that long (max 5 years), so I'm guessing if the passport expires before then, a 2-year entry will be given, and they would give a longer one for those who are deemed low risk and also qualify for it.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Some passports don't last that long (max 5 years), so I'm guessing if the passport expires before then, a 2-year entry will be given, and they would give a longer one for those who are deemed low risk and also qualify for it.

Makes sense. Just had my passport renewed so has 9.5 years on it.

 

[Danger]

It's only three entries and exits required, so no need for the extra one!

I feel like it should be okay. On paper there are no entry duration requirements, just a quantity. I really wouldn't worry about it – three entries is three entries.

Good to know. I was sure I'd read that you could only apply from your fourth entry but this will make it a little easier. I assume Singaporean efficiency will mean it should only take a few minutes to get done.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Good to know. I was sure I'd read that you could only apply from your fourth entry but this will make it a little easier. I assume Singaporean efficiency will mean it should only take a few minutes to get done.

Took me about 30 minutes with no queue. Not sure why.

I think you just have to enter and exit the country three times. So you can enrol after you've cleared departure immigration on your third visit.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Got rather a few Singapore trips / stopovers coming up, had my three in the past 12 months and passport runs through to 2021, so I'm definitely lining up for this on my next visit to Changi.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Took me about 30 minutes with no queue. Not sure why.

Some administrative functions can be extremely slow. Most of the workers have minimal authority and many requests need to be approved higher up.

 

[Abdul_A350]

Is there a place to do this landside? Going to Japan on SIA I arrive a little after the airside place closes and leave only 85 minutes after the airside office opens, and I like to have breakfast in the Private room if I can.

 

[Cynicor]

Some administrative functions can be extremely slow. Most of the workers have minimal authority and many requests need to be approved higher up.

There's just a lot of typing. Mine was about 15min with no queue, but mostly you are able to sit in a comfy seat and use your phone/device.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

There's just a lot of typing. Mine was about 15min with no queue, but mostly you are able to sit in a comfy seat and use your phone/device.

Me too, no approvals required – just typing. Lots of typing.

 

[dairyfloss]

Looking to set this up this myself in a couple of weeks while in the Lion city. I easily beat requirements with 7 entries to Singapore in the last 12 months. As an APEC card holder, I rarely have more than 1-2 persons ahead of me on arrival, however... I've been very held up at departure immigration in all three terminals on multiple occasions over the years, and it will be worth it just for that, alone!

Has anyone been through to the ICA Building at Lavender MRT to get theirs processed? Reckon this is a good option, or should I find the one at the airport? Only thing is, I will be landing at T2 on the day I can attend, whereas the enrolment centre looks to be at T3 (both sides of immigration?). I guess I'd need to leave checked baggage to do it's thing and end up being held while I went and found enrolment in T3... or, collect checked baggage and then transfer to T3 land-side. Is there a train for this? I've never done it land-side.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[defurax]

Looking to set this up this myself in a couple of weeks while in the Lion city. I easily beat requirements with 7 entries to Singapore in the last 12 months. As an APEC card holder, I rarely have more than 1-2 persons ahead of me on arrival, however... I've been very held up at departure immigration in all three terminals on multiple occasions over the years, and it will be worth it just for that, alone!

Has anyone been through to the ICA Building at Lavender MRT to get theirs processed? Reckon this is a good option, or should I find the one at the airport? Only thing is, I will be landing at T2 on the day I can attend, whereas the enrolment centre looks to be at T3 (both sides of immigration?). I guess I'd need to leave checked baggage to do it's thing and end up being held while I went and found enrolment in T3... or, collect checked baggage and then transfer to T3 land-side. Is there a train for this? I've never done it land-side.

Cheers,
Matt.

There is a comment on the AusBT site from someone who applied at the city office: How to get fast-track passport clearance at Singapore's Changi Airport - Australian Business Traveller

"I went downtown today (the Kallang Rd office) to register. A word to the wise to speed things up:have the application form already completedhave a passport photo and photo copy of your passport photo/ info page.It took just on two hours and your passport is stamped (no additional cards) and fingerprints taken for access through the gates.Take a book or go for a walk for a coffee.Very easy really and when the queues are large, even whilst holding an APEC card, this will make life easier."