Applying for Singapore Visa

This post is intended for Indian citizens who plans to visit Singapore.

There are two options through which we can apply for a Singapore tourist visa

(1) SAVE (Submission of Application for Visa Electronically)

In this option, we should know someone in Singapore who holds the citizenship or Permanent Residence with valid SingPass account

Below is the link from where a SingPass holder can apply for visa electronically on behalf of traveler

https://save.ica.gov.sg/save-public/

(2) Applying through High Commission & Consulate

We have Singapore High Commission in New Delhi and Consulate offices in Chennai & Mumbai. If applying from Bangalore, then visa application will go to Chennai.

For applying Singapore tourist visa, we can approach any of the local travel agents. I inquired many travel agents and finally felt like ThomasCook (http://www.thomascook.in/) is more transparent in their fees.

We can make payment to ThomasCook online and can print the receipt and submit it along with the documents to the nearest ThomasCook office. I went to their office in M.G.Road, Bangalore. It is just adjacent to the M.G. Road metro station.

The list of documents that we need to carry:

1. Passport with minimum 6 months validity
2. Form 14A (here we need to mention where we are going to stay, how long the duration of stay, purpose etc)
3. Address proof (If in case the address in passport is different from current address)
4. 2 Photographs with white background and 80% face
5. Covering Letter (Checkout in Google for sample letter else ThomasCook people only will prepare one)
6. Copy of onwards and return ticket

Approximate cost of applying for Tourist Visa is 1900 INR, this includes Embassy Fees of S$30, VFS charge 150 INR and ThomasCook service charge 300 INR.

Minimum time to get the Visa is approximately 3 working days. I submitted it on Thursday and I got it back on following Tuesday.

Info: We often us the term Embassy, High Commission and Consulate in synonymous. Below link highlight the differences

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-high-commission-consulate-and-embassy

In both the case i.e., whether we receive it through SAVE or through consulate, our visa will be a print out in A4 size paper and nothing will be pasted in our passport. And we have to show that eVisa during departure.

Buying foreign currencies:

There are many agents selling foreign currencies within the city, it is always best to buy in the city rather buying in Airports or converting after landing in new land. I browsed through HDFC Forex, SBI Foreign Traveler Card and ThomasCook Borderless prepaid card. Finally I decided to go with ThomasCook, the reason being was their simple formalities, quick work and easy reload option.

Four things to be careful while buying a prepaid card

1. It should be either Visa or MasterCard as it is accepted worldwide by almost all merchants
2. How easy the reload option is. We cannot predict precise expenditure that we expect in new country, if incase we are running out of money then it should be easy to topup the card with simple procedure.
3. How easy the refund of excess money in the card once we are back. Also important thing to note here is whether they add additional charges.
4. How much the ATM withdrawal charges

One tip I would give is do not buy this card on Saturday as the market is closed they will fix a higher rate.