Singapore Visas

[Asiaphile]

Is there any way to stay longer than the 14 day entry permit Singapore gives tourists?

I am a US citizen, but I have no special qualification - no Singapore spouse or employer, etc.

Doesn't Singapore issue any kind of a tourist visa? I find it odd, since the US and most other Western countries allow Singapore citizens 90 day visa-free visits. Where's the reciprocity?

[ovenman]

Singapore gives US citizens a ninety-day entry stamp upon arrival. I've never had one not given to me automatically when entering Singapore at Changi Airport. Entering Singapore from Johor Bahru via the Woodlands Checkpoint can sometimes be a different story. I asked an immigrations officer why the variation at Woodlands and his response was that the crossing from Johor was so busy that sometimes the officers get lazy and only stamp people in for fourteen, thirty days or whatever. He said that if I really needed the longer entry to simply ask when entering at Woodlands.

[Asiaphile]

Wow! That is good news! I haven't been to Singapore in a long time - back then, it was only 14 days, even flying into Changi (which is what I did).

Thanks for the info!

[Asiaphile]

ovenman -

I just thought of something - do you suppose it might matter how you're dressed when you arrive at Changi immigration?

When you fly into Singapore, do you always wear a suit, or what? Just wondering if maybe it's still discretionary, and they give 90 days to people who look "business" and maybe 14 or 30 to people who look like "tourists".

[ovenman]

When you fly into Singapore, do you always wear a suit, or what?

The OvenMan never wears a suit, anywhere.

[tuky]

Singapore gives US citizens a ninety-day entry stamp upon arrival

Is that right?

With an aussie passport we only get 30 days visa upon arrival, Woodlands only ever do the 14 days extension and a second time will only be 7.

Thais get 14 days from Changi and 7 at Woodlands, unless ofcourse they are married (and can prove it) to someone with a passport that can get a longer visa.

Although I have gone through Changi with my Thai girflriend and she has been given 30 days, after a short speech on when we will be married.

I am certainly no expert, but have done the S'pore visa run many many times, i never heard of 90 days.

[ovenman]

I stayed in Johor Bahru last weekend and crossed to Singapore on three consecutive days. I received a ninety-day entry stamp for each entry at Woodlands C.I.Q. without any special prompting.

[tuky]

Thanks ovenman, something to look out for if I ever need it again.

Have things changed recently? or do they just not like me? They do seem to look through my passport a little closer than others

But I have been known to jump a cab from queens street and get him to do a u-turn the other side of the JB immigration post and come straight back through.

it might not help to have "visa Run" stamped on my forehead

good bit of info mate.

[ovenman]

Seems like the entry period to Singapore for US citizens changed to ninety days about four or five years ago. I think it was previously a thirty day entry but I wouldn't swear to it.

I often stay in Johor for a week and make the crossing to Singapore daily. Never had a problem with either Singapore or Malaysia immigrations but sometimes an officer will give my passport a second look since it is chock full o' stamps from both. I'm usually not there for more than a week at a stretch so I don't give the appearance of trying to extend my stay (which I'm not trying to do anyway).

[ASIC]

It really depends on how much they like you and how many days you ask for in your entry form. It's normally possible to state your case if you need more than 14 days. I used to get 14 days, but after several years with green card in the country they know me at the Singapore Immigrations, and I now get a 3 month visa upon arrival.

If the customs officer at the border sees that your previous visa is close to expiring and it's obvious that you are leaving for Johor just to get another 14 days, he will most likely give you a 1 day visa and send you down to the Immigration office at Bugis. Officially you can only go in and out of the country a maxium of 3 times, for a maximum of 90 days.

When the american navy was kicked out of the Philippines, they moved their bases to Singapore, which explains the 90 days for Americans who come to visit friends and family stationed there.

ASIC