Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore

Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore - Indian guy in turban and shirt with curled mustache sticking paper with INDIA STAY HOME inscription while standing behind glass wall during COVID 19 pandemic

I am an Indian national living in the United States of America under a non-immigrant (F1) visa. I am travelling to India later this year. My round trip to India has Singapore layovers on both the outbound and inbound legs. I was wondering if I could use the 96-hour VFTF for both the legs. I am aware that earlier Indians were allowed the VFTF on only one leg of a round trip. But checking the ICA's website I find that there is no such requirement (at least not immediately evident to me).

Layovers are 9 hours and 45 minutes while going to India and 4 hours and 35 minutes while returning. I am flying with Singapore Airlines.



Best Answer

After the trip, I can narrate my experience.

During my onward journey, I had a 12-hour layover and I explored both Changi International Airport(beautiful airport) as well as Singapore city. In case you plan on leaving the airport (and you are Indian or Chinese), you need either a transit VISA, or you need a residence permit (non-immigrant F1 visa counts) from either,

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • USA
  • The United Kingdom

This document needs to be valid for at least a month after the arrival date, and of course, you need to show documents required for next destination. The VFTF is valid for a period of 96 hours during each transit, and although while returning I did not go outside the airport(in which case you don't need a transit VISA at all), I would have been granted another 96 hours of VFTF should I had asked for it.




Pictures about "Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore"

Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore - Content Indian guy showing paper with Hindi inscription
Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore - Stone Buddha and sage incense bundle in bowl on marble shelf
Transit visa for Indian National through Singapore - Man Holding Percussion Instrument



Do I need transit visa for layover in Singapore?

Foreigners transiting in Singapore will not require visas if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration.

Do I need to take a COVID test to transit through Singapore?

Covid-19 test requirement - A pre-departure test is not required for transit travellers for all flights arriving in Singapore.

Can I transit through Singapore?

Singapore is open to all transit travellers with no specific COVID-19 regulations or requirements.

Is transit visa required for Indian passport holders?

Indian visa requirements state that all non-visa-exempt travelers who are passing through an Indian airport for more than 24 hours, or who intend to leave the airport Transit Area, are required to have a visa to transit through India.



Singapore Transit | Transit through Singapore Changi | All you need to know today




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Karolina Grabowska, James Ranieri