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Singapore entry visa vs immigration pass explained

Two different things control your entry to Singapore, and it is easy to confuse them. This page explains the difference in plain language; always confirm your own situation with the official ICA guidance.

The entry visa

An entry visa is pre-entry permission to travel to a Singapore checkpoint and seek entry. It is required only for nationals of listed countries, and having one does not guarantee you will be let in.

The immigration pass

When you arrive, an ICA officer decides whether to grant an immigration pass — typically a Short-Term Visit Pass, issued digitally. The pass sets your actual period of stay, and this is not tied to the validity of any entry visa.

No work on a visit pass

A Short-Term Visit Pass is for social and tourist visits. It does not permit business, professional or paid work — that requires the appropriate work pass.

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Official sources

Published9 Aug 2026
Last reviewed9 Aug 2026
Last verified9 Aug 2026