Many UAE residents can visit Singapore without a visa, because Singapore requires one from only 34 countries. Indian, Pakistani, Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Jordanian and Lebanese passport holders are on ICA’s visa-required list. Filipino, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Emirati and most Western passport holders are not. If you do need a visa, you apply through an authorized agent in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and the cost is S$30 plus an AED 65 agent fee.
This guide covers who needs a visa, the authorized agents in each emirate, the documents and fees, the 3-working-day processing time, and the SG Arrival Card that every traveler must submit.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore’s visa rules depend on your passport. A UAE residence visa does not change them.
- Passports from 34 countries need a visa, including India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Jordan and Lebanon.
- Emirati, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Nepali, GCC, UK, US and EU passport holders do not need a visa for a visit.
- Singapore’s missions in the UAE do not take applications. You apply through VFS Global or Uranus Travel in Dubai, or Omeir Travel in Abu Dhabi.
- The processing fee is S$30, plus a service fee of AED 65 per visa at the Dubai agents. Both are non-refundable.
- ICA processes applications within 3 working days, and every traveler must submit the free SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival.
Do You Need a Visa for Singapore?
Singapore publishes a short, complete list of passports that need a visa. If your passport is not on it, you do not need a visa for a social or business visit. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) lists these countries:
| Region | Passports that need a Singapore visa |
|---|---|
| South Asia | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan |
| Middle East and North Africa | Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali |
| Former Soviet states and Europe | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo |
| East Asia | Democratic People’s Republic of Korea |
ICA also requires a visa from anyone traveling on a refugee travel document, an alien’s passport, a Palestinian Authority passport, or a temporary passport issued by the United Arab Emirates.
Common UAE expat nationalities at a glance
| Passport | Visa for a visit? |
|---|---|
| UAE | No |
| Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam | No |
| Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman | No |
| UK, US, Canada, Australia, EU countries, South Africa, Kenya | No |
| India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco | Yes |
The Consulate-General in Dubai confirms that UAE passport holders do not require a visa for business or social visits. Visa-free travelers must still meet Singapore’s normal entry requirements.
Transiting through Singapore
Some visa-required travelers can transit without a visa. ICA’s Visa-Free Transit Facility covers nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, India, Turkmenistan and Ukraine who meet its conditions. Check them before you book a stopover.
Where UAE Residents Apply
Neither the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi nor the Consulate-General in Dubai accepts visa applications directly. They use authorized visa agents.
| Mission | Authorized agent | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate-General, Dubai | VFS (GCC) LLC, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2 | 04 205 5880, [email protected], 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday |
| Consulate-General, Dubai | Uranus Travel & Tours (LLC), 1G/2B, Sultan Business Centre | 04 335 5559, [email protected], 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday |
| Embassy, Abu Dhabi | Omeir Travel Agency, Omeir Tower, Sheikh Khalifa Street | 02 612 3656, [email protected] |
The Dubai details come from the Consulate-General’s visa information page, which says applicants can use either Dubai agent. The Abu Dhabi details come from the Embassy’s consular services page. The Embassy warns that it does not endorse visa services offered by any other agency.
The consulate also notes that Kanoo Group stopped being an authorized agent on 12 June 2020. Older guides that still name it are out of date.
The other route: a local contact in Singapore
A Singapore citizen, permanent resident or company with a Singpass or Corppass account can apply for you online through ICA’s e-Service. ICA calls this applying through a local contact or strategic partner. The fee and documents are the same.
Documents You Need
For a business or social visit, ICA’s visa requirements page lists:
- Form 14A, completed and signed by you.
- A recent passport-sized color photo, taken within the last 3 months, meeting ICA’s photo guidelines.
- A copy of your passport biodata page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- Additional documents where ICA asks for them, such as Form V39A, a letter of introduction from a sponsor in Singapore.
Documents not in English need an official translation. ICA accepts translations by the issuing country’s embassy, by a notary public, or private translations attested by the embassy or notarized. Agents in the UAE usually also ask for a copy of your UAE residence visa or Emirates ID, so check with your chosen agent.
Fees
| Charge | Amount | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| ICA visa processing fee | S$30, paid in dirhams at the prevailing rate | No |
| Agent service fee (Dubai agents) | AED 65 per visa | No |
The consulate states both amounts and says the processing fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The Abu Dhabi embassy does not publish Omeir’s service fee, so ask the agent before you apply.
Processing Time and Collecting Your e-Visa
ICA says applications are processed within 3 working days, not counting the day of submission, though some take longer. It advises applying within 30 days before you arrive.
If approved, the agent prints your e-Visa. A Singapore visa is a pre-entry permission, not a guarantee of entry. ICA officers decide at the border how long you can stay, and that period is not tied to the visa’s validity.
SG Arrival Card and Your Visit Pass
All travelers must submit the SG Arrival Card with an electronic health declaration before arriving, whether or not they need a visa. ICA says to submit it within 3 days before arrival, including the day of arrival. Submission is free through ICA’s e-Service or the MyICA app.
Commercial websites charge to submit the card for you. ICA says it does not endorse them.
Singapore no longer stamps visitor passports. Since 11 March 2022, ICA has sent visitors an electronic visit pass by email showing the period of stay and your last allowed day. Enter an email address you can access on the arrival card.
Before You Travel
- Check that nothing in the UAE blocks your departure using our guide to checking UAE travel ban status online.
- If you are combining Singapore with Thailand or Japan, see our guides to the Thailand visa for UAE residents and the Japan visa from Dubai.
- Singaporeans living in the UAE have different questions about tax and CPF, covered in our guide for Singaporeans in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE residents need a visa for Singapore?
Only if their passport is on ICA’s visa-required list of 34 countries. A UAE residence visa does not change whether you need a visa.
Do Indians in Dubai need a visa for Singapore?
Yes. India is on ICA’s visa-required list, so Indian passport holders apply through VFS Global or Uranus Travel in Dubai, or Omeir Travel in Abu Dhabi.
Do Filipinos in the UAE need a Singapore visa?
No. The Philippines is not on ICA’s visa-required list, so Filipino passport holders can visit without a visa if they meet the normal entry requirements.
How much is a Singapore visa from Dubai?
The ICA processing fee is S$30, paid in dirhams at the prevailing rate, plus an AED 65 service fee per visa at the Dubai agents. Neither is refunded if the visa is refused.
How long does a Singapore visa take from the UAE?
ICA processes applications within 3 working days, excluding the day of submission. Allow extra time for the agent’s own handling.
Can I apply at the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi?
No. The Embassy does not accept visa applications, and Abu Dhabi applicants use its authorized agent, Omeir Travel Agency.
Do Emiratis need a visa for Singapore?
No. UAE passport holders do not need a visa for business or social visits, but holders of a temporary UAE passport do.
Is the SG Arrival Card free?
Yes. The official SG Arrival Card on ICA’s website or the MyICA app is free and must be submitted within 3 days before arrival.
Official Sources
- ICA: Visa Requirements
- ICA: Visa requirements detail page (documents, fee, processing time)
- ICA: Visa-Free Transit Facility
- ICA: SG Arrival Card
- Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Dubai: Visa information
- Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Abu Dhabi: Consular services
Visa lists, agents and fees checked on ICA and Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs websites in October 2026. The Abu Dhabi agent’s service fee is not published by the Embassy and was not checked.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Singapore visa rules and fees are set by the Government of Singapore and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
