With effective 01 July 2008, the new rule is temporary and can be expected to be lifted after the Olympic Games which Beijing is hosting from 08 to 24 August.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday made official China's Visa rules.

Visas are currently not needed for Singaporeans, Japanese and Bruneians making trips to China lasting 15 days or less.

To apply for a China Visa:

The passport must be valid for at least six months. The endorsed visa becomes invalid if the passport expires. The validity of the visa starts on one's date of application.

The visa application must be submitted with a passport affixed to it. A copy of the ticket both in and out of the country and a hotel voucher must also be presented. If there is an accompanying child on the trip, the child's photo is required with the application.

There are single-entry visas and double-entry ones. The duration of one's stay will be determined by the visa officer.

Third-country passport holders must also provide the original and a photocopy of their Singapore Permanent Residency, Work Permit, Employment Permit or valid visa.

It costs SGD$25 and takes four working days to get a visa to China. The application can be speeded up but this will cost SGD$50 more. Only cash is accepted.

A receipt will be issued for passport and visa collection. If the receipt is lost, applicants must be present in person with their identity cards to collect their visas.

 

Source from Straits Times on 23 April 2008

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From July 1, Singaporeans will also need a valid visa to enter China.

For more details, please log on to:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_228217.html


Source from Embassy of The People's Republic of China

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Tourist Visa (L-Visa)

1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form.

2. One recently taken passport photo. Please affix the photo to the application form.

3. Singapore PR.EP.WP. (original and photocopy) or Embarkation card.

4. Return air ticket, hotel booking.

5. Applicants going to China for visiting family members should also submit the certificate of family relationship, the hotel booking is not required.

6.Applicants holding a new passport is required to submit the old one.

7. Single or double entry only, valid for one month, the duration of each stay is 30 days.


Business Visa (F-Visa)

1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form.

2. One recently taken passport photo. Please affix the photo to the application form.

3. Singapore PR.EP.WP. (original and photocopy) or Embarkation card.

4. Return air ticket, hotel booking.

5. Official Notification of Issurance of Visa from the authorized departments (original).

6. Applicants holding a new passport is required to submit the old one.

7. Single or double entry only, valid for one month, the duration of each stay is 30 days.

Work Visa (Z-visa)

1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form.

2. One recently taken passport photo. Please affix the photo to the application form.

3. Singapore PR.EP.WP. (original and photocopy) or Embarkation card.

4. Official Notification of Issurance of Visa from the authorized departments (original), Alien Employment License of the People's Republic of China (original and photocopy), Medical Report (original and photocopy).

5. Applicants holding a new passport is required to submit the old one.

6. Single or double entry only, valid for one month, the duration of each stay is 30 days.



Source from Embassy of The People's Republic of China

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Embassy of the People's Republic of China has made changes on China visa application. They have stopped issuing double entry and multiples entry tentatively, only single entry is given.


Single entry: - Valid for 1 month from the date of issue
                       Maximum of 30 days stay for Foreigner passports
                       Maximum of 60 days stay for Singaporean passports.


Travellers holding multiple visa entries which were approved after 27 Mar’08 (including Singapore passport holders) had their multiple visa cancelled and amended to single entry by the immigration at the airport upon arrival. They will need to re-apply for a new visa for their subsequent trips to China.

Recent cases involved Singapore passport holders not holding China business visa at Immigration upon arrival were asked to pay a fine ranging from RMB600-RMB4000 even after declaring that their stay is less than 14 days.

Passengers are strongly advised to apply a business visa to enter China if they are going for business trips.

Effective tomorrow all white card holder cannot apply China visa in Singapore.

 

Source from Embassy of The People's Republic of China

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Please be informed the following Embassies will be closed on the stated dates:

1. Embassy of the People's Republic of China - 4 Apr

2. Indian High Commission - 14 to 18 Apr

3. High Commission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh - 14 Apr

4. Embassy of the Union of Myanmar - 14 to 17 Apr

With immediate effect, China Embassy do not accept MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA APPLICATION.

 

Source from various embassies

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Effective 01 April 2008, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia will be moving to 163 Penang Road #03-02 / 03, Winsland House 2 Singapore 238463.

The Embassy at 40 Nassim Road Singapore 258449 will be closed from 27-31 March 2008 to faciliate the moving to the new premises.

Source from Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Singapore

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Kindly be informed that the processing time for 2 and 4 days multiple entries visa, as well as 4 days single entry visa are no longer acceptable.

Following are the current fees and processing time available:

Single Entry Visa:

Types of Visa	Processing Time (Include the day of submission)
Normal Single Entry S$70	5 Working days
Urgent Single Entry S$100	3 working days
Express Single Entry S$130	2 working days

Multiple Entries Visa:

Types of Visa	Processing Time (Include the day of submission)
Normal 3 Months Multiple Entries S$225	6 Working days
Super Express 3 Months Multiple Entries S$285	3 working days
Normal 6 Months Multiple Entries S$360	6 Working days
Super Express 6 Months Multiple Entries S$460	3 working days

Note: Additional service fees of S$50 for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle East and Israel Nationality. All other nationality additional service fee at S$20.

Source from Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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As informed by the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, effective 04 Jan 2008, all tourists passengers to Libya in Africa MUST CARRY USD1000 in cash or equivalent in other currencies. Exceptions for Tunisian and Egyptian nationals.

Source from Emirates

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The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) understands that some Singaporeans holding the non-biometric passports which had been extended, were unable to enter the US without a valid visa.

Arising from this, ICA has checked with the US Embassy on the visa requirements for entry into US. The US Embassy has now notified that under the US VWP requirements, passports issued or extended after 26 October 2006 are required to be biometric in order for the holder to enjoy visa waiver entry into US. The US Embassy has conveyed this requirement to all travel agencies and airlines recently. All Singapore Passports (BioPass) issued from 15 August 2006 are biometric passports and holders can continue to travel to the US under the VWP.

ICA would like to highlight that the non-biometric passports are still valid for travel. However, the imposition of the visa requirements is the prerogative of the foreign immigration authorities concerned. Singaporeans intending to travel overseas should check with the relevant foreign authorities and ensure that they meet the entry requirements before embarking on their journey.

For Singaporeans holding the non-biometric passports and who wish to travel to the US, they are advised to check directly with the US Embassy on their entry/visa requirements.

Alternatively, the affected Singapore passport holders may consider applying for the BioPass to enjoy visa-free entry to the US. Singapore citizens may choose to apply for a BioPass via any one of the four available modes:
a. Application online via APPLES;
b. Application by post;
c. Application by deposit box;
d. Application in person over our Passport application counters.

The BioPass application forms are available at ICA’s website http://www.ica.gov.sg, Neighbourhood Police Posts and Community Clubs. You can also call 6738 3352 for a form to be mailed to you. If in doubt as to whether you need to apply for a visa to the US, you may wish to call ICA at 6391 6100 for clarifications.
END OF NEWS RELEASE

For more information, click here.

Source from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

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The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is improving and updating the information and help available to applicants and users of the Electronic Travel Authority System (ETAS).

There are 3 different types of ETAs:

1. ETA (Visitor)

• Generally valid for multiple visits to Australia for 12 months from the date of issue, a maximum of 3 months on each arrival.

2. ETA (Business Entrant - Short Validity)

• Generally valid for multiple visits to Australia for 12 months from the date of issue, a maximum of 3 months on each arrival.

3. ETA (Business Entrant - Long Validity)

• Generally valid for multiple visits to Australia for the life of their passport.
  

DIAC advises that visitors should apply an ETA at least 2 weeks before their proposed date of travel.

For more information, click here.

Source from DIAC Bulletin 16

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The fees of the following Taiwan visa categories will be revised with effect from 03 October 2007:

Visitor Visa:
Single entry = S$76
Multiple entry = S$152

Resident Visa:
Single entry = S$100
Multiple entry = S$200

An additional 50% surcharge over the respective visa fee is applicable for "urgent processing"

A reciprocity fee of S$152 is payable for all USA passports.

Source from Taipei Representative Office in Singapore

 

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The High Commission of India will not accept visa applications at its premises with effect from 10 September 2007. All visa applications should be submitted at the following two Visa Application Centers approved by the High Commission:

Mustafa Air Travel P/L	5 Verdun Road #01-02/03 SPA Building Singapore 207274 Tel: 64190731 (Visa Enquiry) Tel: 64190730 (Visa Status) Website: www.mustafa.com.sg Email: indiavisa@mustafa.com.sg
Serangoon Air Travel P/L	2 Serangoon Road #02-20/21 Takka Mall Singapore 218227 Tel: 62971665 (Visa Enquiry) Tel: 62971213 (Visa Status) Website: www.theindianvisa.com Email: visa@theindianvisa.com

Operating hours of the Visa application centers will be at least from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm per day including Saturday and Sunday, except on Singapore Public holidays.

S$10 per application would be charged by Visa Application Center as service charges in addition to prescribed visa fee.

In view to provide better services for the convenience of the applicants, it is advised that visa, passport and other consular queries be send by email together with your contact details such as phone, fax, and email to the following email address:

Passport and Consular Matters:
hcicons@pacific.net.sg

Visa: indiavisa@mustafa.com.sg/visa@theindiavisa.com/hcvisa@gmail.com

You may feedback to the High Commission of India at www.embassyofindia.com if you do not get a response by email in 24 hours.

For any urgent matters, please contact the following:

Visa: 62382539
Passport: 62382541
Attestation & Consular Matters: 62382542

Submission Time:
0915 - 1130 hours

Collection Time:
1615 - 1715 hours

Fees and other charges are accepted in Singapore dollars and cash only.

Sources from The High Commission of India

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The following documents are necessary for the application of a business visa to Switzerland:

1. Visa application form duly filled and signed (original only, available from Embassy or website)
2. One recent passport size photograph and a copy of passport (front/back, re-entry permit and if any, UK visa, Schengen visa)
3. Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months above the expected stay
4. Employment Pass, PR Card (Original + 1 photocopy)
5. Company's letter
6. Invitation letter from company in Switzerland
7. Return flight tickets to Singapore or print-out of confirmed E-ticket (Original + 1 Photocopy)
8. For intended visits to other European countries AFTER Switzerland (Eg France, Italy, Germany, Austria, UK, etc), the necessary visas have to be presented.

The Embassy may ask for additional documents should they be required.

Visa Fee & Processing Time:
S$77 (min 5 working days)

Submission & Collection Time:
0900 - 1200 hours,
Monday - Friday

Application forms must be signed by applicant. For first visit to Switzerland, applicant must apply personally. In the event that visa is not granted, visa fee will not be refunded.

 

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Embassy of the Republic of Poland has shifted to:

435 Orchard Road Wisma Atria #17 - 02/03 Singapore 238877 Tel: 6235 9478 Fax: 6235 9479 Email: ambassador@pacific.net.sg Website: www.singapore.polemb.net

Submission & Collection for agents:
Monday - Friday: 0930 - 1200 hours
Embassy Closed: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

Processing Time: 4 - 14 Days

For Tourist & Business Visa (Documents to Submit):

1. Form (1)
2. Photo (1)
3. Passport must be valid for at least 6mths beyond intended stay
4. Company letter
5. Invitation letter (for business visa)
6. I/C or employment pass (Original)
7. Travel itinerary
8. Travel insurance
9. Recent three months bank statement (for tourist visa)
10. Hotel booking (for tourist visa)
    
    Different nationalities have different requirements. Please check with the Embassy.

 

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The Embassy of Republic of China has revised the visa application fee for American Passport Holder:

For single, two, 6 months multiple and 1 year multiple entries:

• 4 days (Normal application) S$155
• 2 days urgent S$190
• 1 day urgent S$205

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Updated requirement from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines:

	Operating Hours
Submission	Sunday - Thursday		0900 - 1200 hrs
Collection	Sunday - Thursday		1500 - 1700 hrs
Type of Visa	No. of Form	No. of Photos	Processing Time
Tourist	1	1	3 days
Business	1	1	3 days
National of Asean Countries are permitted to enter and remain in the Philippines without a visa for up to 21 days with passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay of return ticket. Holders of Taiwan CI & passport must apply personally with return ticket and letter of guarantee. For other nationalities, please check with the embassy. Documents required are company letter, invitation letter, employment pass, itinerary and personal application.

 

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The Indonesia Embassy will be closed on 17 May 07 (Thurs) and 18 May 07 (Fri) respectively.

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Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will be closed on 01 May 07 (Tues) to 07 May 07 (Mon).

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Due to some internal reasons, it will take 4-5 days to process from 09 Mar 07 (Fri) onwards for Singapore passport holders when applying for Indian visa.

 

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The Embassies & Consulars in Singapore and Airlines Contacts is available for download.

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In view of the APEC meeting held in Vietnam this November, with immediate effect, as informed by Vietnam Immigration Authority the changes to Vietnam Visa application as follows:

1. Passengers entering to Vietnam, with Entry Date dating from 25 Oct 2006 to 25 Nov 2006, regardless of Single or Multiple Visa, Vietnam Immigration will only accept NORMAL applications. NO EXPRESS OR URGENT VISA applications can be processed.
2. Application for Vietnam Visa, with Application Date from 20 Oct 2006 to 25 Nov 2006, regardless of Single or Multiple Visa, Vietnam Immigration will only accept NORMAL applications. NO EXPRESS OR URGENT VISA applications can be processed.
3. Length of stay in Vietnam is subjected to permission by Vietnam Immigration Authority.
4. Certain nationalities may take a longer processing time. All applications are subject to approval from Vietnam Immigration Authority.
5. No change of entry date is allowed.

Kindly submit your VISA application early to avoid inconveniences.

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Number

Three Identical Photographs are required.

Size

The size of the photographs should be 2 x 2 inches (5 x 5 cm.) The image size measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (Including hair) must not be less than 1 inch nor more than 1-3/8 inches.

Likeness

The Photographs must be clear, front view, full face, and printed on thin paper with a white or off-white background. We welcome photographs which depict the applicant as relaxed and smiling’ either black and white or color photographs acceptable. The
photographs must be recent (taken within the past six months) and be a good likeness of the applicant. They should be taken in normal street attire without a hat. The photographs must show the applicant in civilian clothing.

Quality

Photographs must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 Degrees Celsius). Vending machine and Polaroid type prints available in Singapore and other photographs with a waxed back or other coating which lessens adhesiveness are NOT ACCEPTED.

Passport photo requirement :

K-100 Color Photo Service Centre
5 Coleman Street #B1-29 (Excelsior Hotel)
Singapore 179805
Tel : 6338-4445
(Hrs: 10am – 7pm Mon – Fri; 10am – 5pm Sat)

Broadway Studios
109 North Bridge Road #03-16 Funan Center IT Mall
Singapore 179097
Tel : 6338-4348
(Hrs: 10am - 7pm Mon - Sun; close on public holidays)

Colour Junction Kodak Express
163 Tanglin Road #b1-05 Tanglin Mall
Singapore 247933
Tel : 6235-7305
(Hrs: 10am – 8.30pm Mon – Sat; 10am to 8pm Sunday; open on public holidays)

Raffles Photographers
16A Duxton Road Singapore 089482
Tel : 6324-4423
(Hrs: 10am – 8pm everyday)
or
Block 4 Queen’s Road #02-121 Singapore 260004
Tel: 6479-7825