Transit Visa
Under intergovernmental agreements, citizens of certain countries, including CIS countries, are eligible for visa-free transit through Singapore. This arrangement is known as the Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) and does not require applying for a separate transit visa.
Some dishonest visa agents may offer to arrange a “transit visa” for Singapore for an additional fee. Please note that such a visa does not exist. You either enter Singapore with a tourist visa or use your right to visa-free transit.
Conditions of Visa-Free Transit
It is important to understand that Singapore’s transit rules include strict requirements. Failure to meet any of them will result in a guaranteed refusal of entry into Singapore without a visa.
- The most important condition is your travel route. The country from which you arrive in Singapore and the country you travel to afterward must be different. For example, if your route is Thailand → Singapore → Thailand, you are not eligible for visa-free entry. Transit through Singapore means traveling from one country to another with a short stopover.
- Your stay in Singapore must not exceed 96 hours. Upon request from an immigration officer, you must confirm this with paid and confirmed flight bookings. Even if your connection exceeds the 96-hour limit by just one hour, the immigration officer will deny entry without a visa. In addition, airline staff may deny boarding if they notice that the time between arrival and departure from Singapore exceeds the allowed period.
- You must leave Singapore by air. Entry without a visa is permitted by air, sea, or land transport, but departure must be through Changi International Airport. If your itinerary includes leaving Singapore on a cruise ship or via the land border with Malaysia, you cannot use visa-free transit and must obtain a tourist visa.
- You must complete and receive the SG Arrival Card in advance. This is a mandatory electronic arrival form for all foreign travelers entering Singapore. The form can be completed independently or through visa specialists. More details are available in a separate article.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Singapore. This rule cannot be bypassed, and immigration officers will not make exceptions.
- You must be able to prove sufficient financial means. Upon request, you should be able to provide evidence of adequate funds for your stay in Singapore, amounting to at least USD 80 per person per day.
- If your transit stop exceeds 24 hours, you must present a hotel reservation. Many travelers underestimate this requirement, but it is strictly enforced.
❗ The final decision on granting visa-free transit through Singapore rests with the immigration officer at the border. Even if all documents are in order, entry may still be denied. To minimize risks, obtaining a visa in advance is recommended, especially when traveling with family.
❗ Attention for cruise passengers: the VFTF does not apply to cruise travel. In this case, a visa is required.
No-Boarding Policy for Flights to Singapore
Starting from 30 January 2026, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will issue No-Boarding Directives (NBD) to airlines for passengers who are identified as undesirable or who do not meet Singapore’s entry requirements. This preventive measure aims to enhance security by stopping potential risks before arrival.
Airlines are required to deny boarding in the following cases:
-
A passport with less than 6 months’ validity at the time of entry;
-
Absence of a visa, if one is required for the traveler’s nationality;
-
Doubts regarding the purpose of travel or the information provided in the SG Arrival Card.
In some cases, airlines may be required to conduct additional checks before boarding, such as verifying the visa or confirming submission of the SG Arrival Card. Airlines must strictly follow ICA instructions and are likely to act conservatively.
If You Are Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding due to the absence of a visa, present your confirmed ticket to a third country and refer airline staff to the visa-free transit rules published on the ICA website.
To avoid unexpected issues, we recommend applying for an E-visa even if you are traveling through Singapore in transit.
