Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia, will truly captivate you. The city is one of the greenest, yet most expensive, cities in the world. It awaits you with fascinating sights such as the world-famous “Gardens by the Bay” park with its colorfully illuminated Supertrees, which are up to 50 meters high. Also very popular are the Botanical Gardens, the night safaris, the Ferris wheel, the temples and mosques, as well as the view of the city skyline. Is Singapore on your travel list? Then today I’ll tell you all the important information for your Singapore visa and entry.

  • Singapore Visa – Visa on Arrival
  • Extending a Singapore Visa
  • Studying & Internships in Singapore
  • Customs Regulations for Singapore
  • Health & Vaccinations
  • Conclusion on the Singapore Visa & Entry
  • International Health Insurance

Singapore Visa – Visa on Arrival

For your entry to Singapore, as a German tourist, you only need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after entry into Singapore and has two blank pages. A temporary passport is also accepted. Entry is actually very straightforward; you don’t have to worry about anything beforehand. Of course, you should book your flights. If the airline or immigration at the airport asks you for an onward or return ticket, you should of course be able to show it.

Singapore Visa and Entry - Haw Par Villa

On the flight, you will be given an entry/exit card, which is best filled out on the plane. If you don’t want to do this yet, you can also get one at the airport. There are also signs there to help you fill out your arrival card. At immigration, you submit the entry card along with your passport. Since 2016, your fingerprints have also been taken here. You will then receive a visa/residence permit for 90 days stamped in your passport, and from now on you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Always keep an eye on the latest information from the Federal Foreign Office.

Extending your Singapore visa

You can extend your 90-day visa, which was stamped in your passport upon entry to Singapore, online for another 30 days. For this process, you will need your passport, the exit card (which you filled out on the plane), and your credit card to pay the application fee. You should apply for the extension at least one week before your visa expires, as processing by the officials can take several days. So better sooner rather than later.

Temple of the Tooth in Chinatown in Singapore

Study & Internships in Singapore

If you have a business meeting planned in Singapore, you can attend with your regular visa. However, if you want to spend a semester abroad, you must first apply for a Work Holiday Pass, which grants you a stay of up to 6 months. Applying for a work holiday requires a considerable amount of time (approximately 3 weeks) and paperwork, and at just under 200 euros, it’s not exactly a bargain. However, that shouldn’t deter you from planning your semester abroad in Singapore. It’s also important to note that you must be between 18 and 25 years old when applying for your work holiday visa.

What you need for the application:

  • Copy of your passport
  • Completed application form
  • Passport photo
  • Return flight ticket
  • Proof of financial resources
  • Copy of your student ID card
  • Copy of your academic degree (if you have already completed your studies)
  • Certification from your university

Since all documents must be submitted in English, it is important to have your German documents translated and notarized. After you have submitted all documents, you will receive a confirmation by email after approximately three weeks. You should then print this out and take it with you when you enter Singapore. With this confirmation, you must then have your “Work Holiday Pass” issued locally within three months. You can get the pass from the Employment Pass Service Center.

You’ll also need some documents for this: your passport, your home address in Singapore, an address to which the passport can be sent, the contact details of a recipient (receipt details will be sent via SMS or email), and proof that you will be leaving Singapore after the six months. This could be your return ticket, for example. If this is your first time applying for a visa for Singapore, or if your last application was more than five years ago, your fingerprints will also be taken. In addition to all the other documents, you’ll need an invitation letter and your official visa notification.

Customs Regulations for Singapore

Singapore is very strict when it comes to importing certain products. For example, it’s forbidden to bring chewing gum into the country, as consumption and possession are prohibited. Singapore wants to stay clean and not have chewing gum everywhere. Kind of cool, but also kind of bizarre. Cigarette imports are also different: You have to declare and tax every single cigarette. This is no joke! So it’s best to leave your cigarettes at home and buy a pack locally in case of emergency.

aussicht-singapur-marina-bay-sands-observation-deck

Furthermore, the import of weapons, ammunition, and products from protected animals and plants is prohibited. Souvenirs and gifts may be imported up to a maximum value of 150 SGD for a stay of up to two days and up to 600 SGD for longer stays. If you need specific medications for your trip to Singapore, you should definitely consult your doctor. Some medications are prohibited in Singapore, and you are not allowed to bring them in. For other medications, however, you absolutely need a doctor’s prescription, which must be translated into English. More information here: Federal Foreign Office.

Health & Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry to Singapore from Germany. However, if you want to enter Singapore from a yellow fever region, you must be able to provide proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination. The Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccinations for hepatitis A, and for long-term stays, hepatitis B and typhoid, among others. If you plan to travel to neighboring countries, vaccinations against rabies and Japanese encephalitis are advisable. However, seek advice from your family doctor and/or a tropical medicine specialist. You can also take a closer look at the current information on the Federal Foreign Office website.

Sultan Mosque in Singapore

Conclusion: Singapore Visa & Entry

As you can see, the whole process of obtaining a Singapore visa is very straightforward for a normal vacation. As already mentioned, you only need to take care of a valid passport and a return ticket. Once you’ve thought of everything, nothing stands in the way of your trip. If you want to spend a semester abroad in Singapore, the process will take a bit of time, but ultimately, you can stay in the country for up to six months. No matter how you enter, Singapore awaits you as an exciting metropolis with many highlights and sights. So…pack your backpack and let’s go. Singapore is waiting for you!

International Health Insurance

International travel insurance is essential. You wouldn’t believe how quickly something can happen. It’s a shame when you have to cover all the costs yourself. And believe us, these costs can quickly mount up. A hospital stay can easily cost you a five-figure sum. That’s why it’s all the more important to get adequate coverage before your trip. With international health insurance, you’re on the safe side. These standard international insurance policies usually cover you for a period of 6 to 8 weeks per trip. But pay attention to the fine print and carefully check what services are included. International health insurance policies are available from as little as €8 per year (The best international health insurance*).