Planning to visit Singapore in 2025? Fortunately, most Australians can travel to Singapore visa-free for up to 90 days as a tourist. All you need to do is complete a free digital SG Arrival Card (SGAC) before you land.
This article will provide clear, simple information on what Australians need to know: the entry requirements, how to fill out the SG Arrival Card, and situations when a visa is required for work, study, or longer stays. You’ll also learn the difference between a short tourist visit and other types of stays, plus practical tips to make your arrival smooth and stress-free.
Remember that if you want to send money between Australia and Singapore, Remitly offers safe, simple money transfers. Download the Remitly app as the easiest way to make fast and secure payments.
Do Australians need a visa for Singapore as a tourist?
If you are visiting Singapore as a tourist for up to 90 days, you don’t need to pre-apply for a visa. However, your Australian passport must have at least six months of validity. If not, you will need to renew your passport.
You also need to apply for an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with an Electronic Health Declaration within three days of your travel (more on this below). This is a digital disembarkation card, not a visa, and it does not guarantee you entry into Singapore.
On arrival in Singapore, your SGAC should already be on file when you pass through customs. You may also be asked to show proof of an onward or return flight, or proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself, though the specific amount isn’t specified. (Australian travellers are rarely asked for this, but it could happen.)
Upon your arrival in Singapore, if you are granted entry, you are issued an electronic Short-Term Visa Pass (STVP). You can check its validity online to ensure you don’t overstay.
Can Australians extend their stay in Singapore beyond 90 days?
If, while in Singapore as a tourist, you decide you want to extend your visit, you can apply for an additional 90-day extension online as long as you still have 14 days’ validity on your Short-Term Visa Pass.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and you may be asked to provide additional documentation. If your application is successful, you will be sent a confirmation email within five days, when you will be asked to pay a $40 SGD fee. If you don’t pay the fee in time, the extension will be cancelled, and you’ll be forced to leave.
The SG Arrival Card: Required for all travellers
All travellers to Singapore, including transit passengers, residents, and people on any type of visa, need to register for an SG Arrival Card (SGAC). It is an electronic version of the standard disembarkation card. Singapore has now phased out the paper versions, so you can’t get them on the plane or at the airport.
It is free to apply for an SGAC, but you must submit the electronic application within three days of your arrival in Singapore, including the day of your arrival. For example, if you arrive on 30 June, you can submit from 28 June onwards.
The submission can be made online via the SGAC e-Service, where you can also update your details if your travel plans change and download your pass if you need a copy. If you are a frequent traveller, you can also download the MyICA Mobile application for iOS or Android and manage your application there.
The application should be completed in English. To complete the online form, you will need:
- Details of your valid passport
- Your contact information
- Your travel information (e.g. flights)
- Details of where you will be staying in Singapore
Finally, you will be asked to declare if you currently have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, vomiting, or rash. This health declaration is to help prevent communicable diseases from coming into Singapore.
When do Australians need a visa for Singapore?
Australian passport holders wishing to travel to Singapore for work, study, or longer than 90 days need to apply for a visa. Which visa you need depends on your reasons for travel.
For work
There are a variety of different work visas made available through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), depending on the type of work you will be doing. In most cases, you must have a valid work offer from a registered business to qualify, and the company hiring you will initiate the application on your behalf.
If you have found a role paying at least $5,000 SGD per month and have acceptable qualifications, you could apply for an Employment Pass (EP). High-earning professionals on this pass can also upgrade to a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) that does not require a specific company to sponsor them.
Skilled mid-level employees earning at least $3,300 SGD per month can apply for an S Pass, subject to national quotas.
Entrepreneurs who want to start or operate a business in Singapore can apply for an EntrePass.
Top talent in arts, culture, sport, and academia can apply for entry under the Overseas Networks & Enterprise Pass (ONES).
There are also a variety of visas for migrant workers and domestic workers, as well as visas for foreign professionals undergoing training in Singapore, such as the Training Employment Pass.
For study
If you plan to study in Singapore, you need a Student’s Pass. The specific requirements depend on the type of study you are enrolled in, but you must show proof that you have been accepted into an approved course and that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. The course usually needs to be a full-time course. Part-time courses conducted in the evenings or on weekends aren’t eligible.
When in Singapore, students can work part-time up to 16 hours a week during term, and full-time outside of term. The income is taxable.
For family members
Singapore residents can apply for a Dependent’s Pass for their legal spouse or dependent children under 21, or a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for common-law partners, stepchildren, or parents, in some circumstances. The main visa holder must sponsor you and have a minimum monthly income of at least $6,000 SGD (individual salary and not household income). In addition to proof of income, you will need to show proof of your relationship.
How to apply
Regardless of which visa you apply for, your first step is to get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. If your visa is for work, your employer will make this application through MOM on your behalf and pay the fee. If you are applying for a dependent, you will make the application there. For students, apply through the MyICA website.
If the application is approved, you will be issued an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. You can then travel to Singapore visa-free, like you would as a tourist, as you need to be in Singapore to complete your visa application. This is, again, a simple online process, and you will also need to make an appointment to submit your biometrics. This will result in your being issued a digital pass.
Costs can vary depending on the type of visa, but you can expect to pay $105 SGD for the initial application and $225 SGD for the final pass.
What about non-Australians in Australia?
If you are living in Australia but don’t have an Australian passport, you may need to apply for an Entry Visa to travel to Australia, depending on the country of your passport (see the list here). You will need this to travel as a tourist or to go to Singapore once you have an IPA.
If you do need an Entry Visa, you should apply for it within 30 days of your planned travel. You can apply directly at the Singapore High Commission in Canberra after making an online appointment. You can also apply in person at one of the five authorized visa centres in Australia: in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Book an appointment online in advance and download the relevant paperwork.
When you show up for your appointment, you will need to present:
- A completed application form (download here)
- Valid passport photos (read the guidelines here)
- Your original passport and photocopies of the biodata and signature pages
- A printout of your VEVO to prove that you are in Australia legally (download here)
- Flight and accommodation details, including tentative bookings
- Your In-Principle Approval (IPA), if relevant
- A letter of invitation from an eligible resident of Singapore, if required, via a V39A form
- The visa fee of $35 AUD, which should be paid in cash
Depending on your passport and reasons for traveling, other documents may be required. Do your research before you make your appointment.
Top tips for your trip to Singapore
If you are an Australian passport holder planning a trip to Singapore as a visitor, make your trip as stress-free as possible with a few simple tips.
- Check your passport before you book your travel and make sure you have at least six months of validity. If not, it’s time to renew.
- Apply for your SGAC at the right time: within three days of your planned arrival in Singapore.
- While they might not be necessary, keep print or digital copies of your flights, accommodation, and SGAC on hand for arrival in Singapore.
Also, be careful what you pack, as many unexpected items are prohibited in Singapore. These include:
- Chewing gum
- Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products like electronic cigarettes
- Controlled drugs
- Obscene media
- Reproductions of copyright publications
- Seditious and treasonable materials
While some of these prohibitions are common wherever you’re traveling in the world, you don’t want to get caught out at customs because you forgot you were carrying a pack of gum!
Make your travel plans
Fortunately, visiting Singapore as an Australian in 2025 is a refreshingly straightforward process: a valid passport, a quick SG Arrival Card registration, and you’re set up for a 90-day adventure. If you’re staying longer, Singapore has a visa designed to fit your travel purpose.
Whether you’re stopping over or staying awhile, planning ahead helps ensure a smooth arrival. Now you can focus less on paperwork and more on enjoying Singapore’s food, culture, and vibrant city life.
FAQs
How long can an Australian stay in Singapore without a visa?
As long as you are traveling to Singapore as a visitor, Australian passport holders can stay in Singapore for up to 90 days without a visa. If you are planning to work or study, you will need to apply for a visa, even for a shorter stay. Additionally, all travellers to Singapore must apply for an SG Arrival Card within three days of their arrival.
Is the SG Arrival Card the same as a Singapore visa?
No, the SG Arrival Card is not the same as a visa. It is an electronic disembarkation pass that registers your arrival in Singapore. It does not replace a visa, and it does not guarantee entry into Singapore.
What happens if I forget to fill out the SG Arrival Card?
If you forget to apply for an SG Arrival Card before traveling to Singapore, you’ll have to do it when you land, either on your phone or on a tablet provided at the airport. You can expect it to cause major delays to your entry, and you may even be refused entry.
Can I extend my 90-day stay in Singapore?
Yes, Australians can usually extend their 90-day stay in Singapore by applying for an extension to the Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website before their current pass expires.
Do I need a visa for a short layover at Changi Airport?
Singapore does not require transit visas if you are just passing through one of its airports for a short period. However, if your stopover is more than 24 hours or you want to leave the airport, you will have to pass through immigration control. Australians can pass through “visa-free,” as they would if they were travelling as a tourist. If you normally need to apply for an Entry Visa for Singapore, you might qualify for a 96-hour visa-free transit facility to stay in Singapore short term.