Thai To Singapore

[sierra01]

I have a Thai friend going to Singapore 4 December for 1 week, will she need a visa or will a visa on arrival suffice?

[ajarnmark]

I have a Thai friend going to Singapore 4 December for 1 week, will she need a visa or will a visa on arrival suffice?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thais do not need a visa to enter singapore. I am not sure, but I believe that they are given either 14 or 30 days visa on arrival at singapore airport.

[sierra01]

Thanks Ajarnmark, I'll tell her.

[sbk]

From the Singapore Ministry of Foreign affairs

Entry Requirements

All travelers are required to go through immigration clearance on arrival into Singapore.

The granting of social visit passes to visitors is determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry. Visitors must satisfy the following basic entry requirements before they are allowed to enter Singapore:

    * A passport with at least 6 months validity;

    * Valid Singapore visa, if applicable;

    * Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Singapore;

    * Confirmed onward/return tickets (where applicable); and

    * Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.

The period of stay granted is shown on the social visit pass endorsement given on the visitor's passport. Visitors are advised to check their passports for the arrival endorsement and take note of the number of days stay given before leaving the checkpoint.

All visitors on social visit passes are not permitted to engage in any form of business, profession, occupation or paid employment while in Singapore.

Visitors are also reminded that it is a punishable offence to overstay in Singapore beyond the number of days given. If there is a need to stay beyond the period granted, visitors may apply for an extension of stay at the Visitors Services Centre, 4th storey, ICA Building, before the social visit pass expires. Application for extension of stay is subjected to approval.

Women who are 6 months or more than 6 months pregnant, and intend to enter Singapore for social visit, should make prior application through the nearest Singapore overseas mission before their trip.

Asean visitors do not need visas but do need to fulfill the above requirements.

[Griffin]

All of the above seems about right. I took my GF on a short trip to Singapore. Very nice passport control people. No problems.

[NordicMan]

I have a Thai friend going to Singapore 4 December for 1 week, will she need a visa or will a visa on arrival suffice?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used to work in Singapore and have been through this many many times.

On arrival by AIR, she will normally get 14 or 30 days visa. If a single woman enters alone, she'll most likely get 14 days, which is enough for you anyway.

Where will she stay? With you?

There is a possibility that she will get held up at imimgration and asked some questions - probably to determine if she's coming for the purpose of some immoral activities. If so, she will be asked where she will stay and why she is coming to SG. If she gets held up, and is going to stay with you, make sure she has your address and phone# written down. You don't need to guarantee for her or anything like that.

Advice her to dress "conservative, smart casual" - it will lower the risk of harassment and problems.

In my opinion, the immigration to SG is borderline ridiculous - there are no written regulations or rules, at least they won't provide them to you. It basically boils down to the mood of the person behind the counter and how well you present yourself. Then again, I once went with a Thai woman who had a T-Shirth with "I love ganja" or someting similar on it, and she still got her 30 days. So, luck is also involved.

If you and her travel together, you shouldn't have any problems at all, though it's still likely that she'll be pulled over and asked why/where.

Send me a PM if you need more details, I have a lot of experience in this.

Cheers

PM

Edited November 13, 2005 by NordicMan

[fxm88]

I have a Thai friend going to Singapore 4 December for 1 week, will she need a visa or will a visa on arrival suffice?

Are you going with her? I went a couple years ago so things might be different now but if you're flying in, signs might direct you into different queues at Immigration (ASEAN vs others). You'll want to stay together as it'll ease her entry if the Immigrations folk see she has a companion -- I'm just not sure which queue is best.

[Smokin Joe]

I have a Thai friend going to Singapore 4 December for 1 week, will she need a visa or will a visa on arrival suffice?

Are you going with her? I went a couple years ago so things might be different now but if you're flying in, signs might direct you into different queues at Immigration (ASEAN vs others). You'll want to stay together as it'll ease her entry if the Immigrations folk see she has a companion -- I'm just not sure which queue is best.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with fxm88, stay with the GF if she has a Thai passport. I went with my GF a couple months ago and no problems. The immigration agent glanced back at me after she told him I was with her. She got a 14 day stamp, no questions, not asked for anything.

I would walk up to the counter together next time though, just like married couples. Worst they can do is tell you to step back and process you one at a time.

The best part was that I tried to set a good example for her by trying to declare tobacco with customs on entry. I only brought in about eight cigars, but from what I read ther was NO exemption on tobaco products. I figured I'd pay a couple of $S duty and my GF would see that obeying the rules was a simple affair. After trying two different customs counters, and and asking to pay my duty, one guy just waved me to go on thru and quit bothering them.

[thaiflyer1]

Just to add i was there 6 weeks ago with Thai G/f for 5 days.............i/d given her 20k baht to put in her purse just incase she was asked to show proof of funds..................nobody asked to see them either at check-in at DM or upon arrival at Changi.

Believe i got the 20k requirement figure from the AirAsia website.

Taking her again in 3 weeks.

Have fun.

[Axel]

Believe  i  got  the  20k  requirement  figure  from  the  AirAsia  website.

Taking  her  again  in  3  weeks.

Have  fun.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Acually, Thai can visit Singapore and get either 14 days or 30 days stay for social visit. 20K is not mentioned, but sufficient amount to cover the stay.

Yes, and go together, I would say pass the non-Asean counter to show that you belong together. Singapore immigration sometimes is fuzzy with young ladies travelling alone.

Edited November 14, 2005 by Axel

[Axel]

The best part was that I tried to set a good example for her by trying to declare tobacco with customs on entry. I only brought in about eight cigars, but from what I read ther was NO exemption on tobaco products. I figured I'd pay a couple of $S duty and my GF would see that obeying the rules was a simple affair. After trying two different customs counters, and and asking to pay my duty, one guy just waved me to go on thru and quit bothering them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Singapore does not allow any cigarettes or cigars. So also cannot pay duty.

Officially, they would have to confiscate if you try to carry some in, you have been lucky they let you go.

[sierra01]

She's not my girlfriend, just a good friend, and no I won't be going with her. It's something to do with her job as a librarian at a uni in CM, training at a library there. I don't know if she needs a work permit or student visa or not, The uni should be doing this for her if she does need something other than a visa on arrival but..............!

[thaiflyer1]

20K is not mentioned, but sufficient amount to cover the stay.

Travel Requirements (pursuant to airasia's terms and conditions of carriage)

4.7 Cash/Credit Card

Thailand

The Thai Immigration requires all Thai citizens leaving Thailand to have a minimum of THB 20,000 or a credit card with them, failing which the check-in counter will not issue a boarding pass.

Axel...........believe its Thai Immigration that may want to see show of funds.............above is an extract from the AirAsia website .

Wouldn't want the OP's friend to get a nasty surprise upon check-in.................they might be more "particular" about a single Thai female travelling alone.

Best to be prepared .

Edited November 14, 2005 by thaiflyer1

[Smokin Joe]

The best part was that I tried to set a good example for her by trying to declare tobacco with customs on entry. I only brought in about eight cigars, but from what I read ther was NO exemption on tobaco products. I figured I'd pay a couple of $S duty and my GF would see that obeying the rules was a simple affair. After trying two different customs counters, and and asking to pay my duty, one guy just waved me to go on thru and quit bothering them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Singapore does not allow any cigarettes or cigars. So also cannot pay duty.

Officially, they would have to confiscate if you try to carry some in, you have been lucky they let you go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you have tobacco confused with chewing gum. Tobacco is readily available in Singapore but there is no duty-free exemption bringing it in.