Planning a trip to Singapore from India? If you hold an ordinary Indian passport, you need to apply for a Singapore visa before travelling.
I recently applied for a Singapore visa from Bangalore, and this guide explains the process I followed, the documents I submitted, how much it cost, and how long it took.
Note: This is based on my experience and the requirements given to me by my authorised visa agent, Travel Visa Xperts in Bangalore. Some supporting documents can vary depending on the applicant.
Singapore Visa Application Process
The process is fairly straightforward:
- Find an authorised Singapore visa agent for your region.
- Contact the agent in your city.
- Get their latest document checklist.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Submit your application through the agent.
- Wait for the visa to be processed.
- Receive your Singapore e-Visa.
Singapore visa applications in India are submitted through authorised visa agents rather than directly as a walk-in application at the Consulate.
Step 1: Find an Authorised Singapore Visa Agent
The first step is to find an authorised Singapore visa agent for your region. You can download the list of authorised agents based on the region where you are applying and then search for an agent in your city.
Northern & Eastern India – New Delhi Mission
This covers:
- Delhi NCR
- Punjab
- West Bengal
- Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Northeastern states
- And others
Singapore High Commission New Delhi – Authorised Visa Agents
Western & Central India – Mumbai Consulate
This covers:
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Odisha
- And others
Singapore Consulate Mumbai – Visa Information
Southern India – Chennai Consulate
This covers:
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Puducherry
Singapore Consulate-General Chennai – Visa Information
How I found my agent in Bangalore
I downloaded the authorised-agent list and searched for an agent based in Bangalore. Always download the latest list, as authorised agents can change.
Step 2: Documents required for Singapore Visa
Once I selected an authorised agent, I contacted them and received their latest document checklist.
The basic documents I was asked to prepare were:
- Completed and signed Form 14A
- Valid passport with at least six months validity
- Recent colour photograph
- Passport biodata and last-page copy
- Cover letter
Documents My Agent Also Required
In addition to the basic documents, my authorised visa agent asked me for the following documents.
For salaried employees
- Salary slips for the last 3 months
- Office ID card
- Employment letter
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
For business owners/self-employed applicants
- Company registration/GST documents
- Personal bank statement for the last 3 months
- ITR for the last 3 years
- Cover letter explaining the business
- Company letterhead, seal and physical signature where applicable
For retired applicants
My agent asked for retirement/pension documents such as:
- Pension book
- Relieving letter
- Retirement proof
For students
- School/college ID
- Bonafide certificate
For homemakers
My agent advised mentioning Homemaker as the occupation and putting 0 for annual income.
If someone in Singapore is inviting you
Additional documents may include:
- Invitation letter
- Inviter’s contact details
- V39A/Letter of Introduction, where applicable
- Inviter’s passport copy
- Singapore NRIC/pass copy
- Proof of relationship, if applicable
Singapore Visa Photograph Requirements
My agent asked for a fresh photograph with these specifications:
- 35 mm × 45 mm
- White background
- Face covering approximately 80% of the photograph
- Recent photograph
- Not previously used for another visa
- No spectacles
- No visible teeth
- Glossy finish
The official Singapore photo guidelines currently require a recent colour photograph taken within the last three months, measuring 35 mm × 45 mm, with a plain white background.
Official Singapore ICA Photo Guidelines
Singapore Visa Cover Letter
Here’s the cover letter I submitted: Cover Letter for Singapore. You can download and modify it as needed.
Step 3: Submit Your Singapore Visa Application
Once I had all the required documents ready, I submitted my application through the authorised visa agent. The documents were submitted as hard copies along with the supporting documents.
What I submitted
- Form 14A
- Recent photograph
- Cover letter
- Passport photocopies
- Supporting documents requested by the agent
Step 4: Singapore Visa Cost from Bangalore: Fees & Charges
The Singapore visa processing fee is S$30. Authorised visa agents can also charge a service fee.
What I paid in Bangalore
My charges were:
- Visa processing fee: S$30
- Agent service charge: ₹1,000
- GST: ₹180
So I paid the equivalent of the S$30 visa fee plus ₹1,180 in service charges and GST.
Agent charges can change, so check the current fee with your agent before applying.
Step 5: Singapore Visa Processing Time: How Many Days Does It Take?
The normal processing time is 3–5 working days after submitting the documents to the authorised visa agent. Once the visa is approved, the agent will send you a soft copy of the e-Visa, usually by email or WhatsApp.
Step 6: Submit the SG Arrival Card Before Travelling
Getting the visa isn’t the final step. Before travelling to Singapore, you also need to submit the SG Arrival Card, which is a separate electronic arrival declaration and not a visa.
You need to submit the SG Arrival Card within three days, including the day of arrival, before entering Singapore. For example, if you arrive on 30 June, you can submit it from 28 June onwards.
The SG Arrival Card is free. Use the official ICA website to submit it:
Singapore SG Arrival Card – Official ICA Website
Avoid third-party websites that charge a fee for submitting the SG Arrival Card.
Singapore Visa FAQ
Can I Apply for a Singapore Visa from Bangalore If My Passport Is From Another State?
Yes, you may be able to.
My friend is from another state but was residing in Bangalore when we applied for our Singapore visas. He was able to apply from Bangalore after providing proof of his local address.
If you currently live in Bangalore but your passport or permanent address is from another state, your agent may ask for proof that you are residing in Karnataka.
This could include:
- Rental agreement
- Electricity or gas bill
- Bank statement showing your local address
- Other valid address proof
Check with the authorised agent before submitting your application.
Do I Need Flight Tickets Before Applying?
Flight tickets are not mandatory for the visa application. The Singapore authorities specifically state that applicants are not required to buy a flight ticket before applying for an entry visa.
Do I Need a Hotel Booking?
My agent did not make a hotel booking mandatory for my application.
Do I Need a Separate Cover Letter for Every Traveller?
My agent advised that one cover letter per family was sufficient. If two separate families are travelling together, each family should have its own cover letter.
For friends travelling together, separate letters are required.
Do I Need My Old Passport?
My agent advised providing old passports if they contained previous Singapore travel history. If your old passport is unavailable, ask your agent whether a photocopy will be sufficient.
Do Children Need a Singapore Visa?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own visa application. My agent advised that Form 14A must be completed for every traveller, regardless of age. For a child, one of the parents can sign the application.
Is There a Minimum Bank Balance for a Singapore Visa?
My agent advised me to maintain a closing balance of ₹1 lakh or more.
However, this was part of my agent’s requirements and should not be treated as a universal Singapore government minimum. Your agent may assess your financial documents based on your individual circumstances.
Singapore Visa Checklist
Before visiting your visa agent, I recommend keeping these ready:
Basic documents
- Passport
- Passport photocopies
- Old passport, if relevant
- Form 14A
- Recent passport photograph
- Cover letter
- Local address proof, if your permanent address is in another state
Supporting documents
- Bank statement
- Salary slips
- Employment proof
- ITR, if applicable
- Business documents, if self-employed
- College/school documents, if a student
- Invitation letter, if visiting someone
- Flight itinerary, if available
- Hotel booking, if available
Remember that several of the supporting documents above were specifically requested by my agent and may not be required in every application.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a Singapore visa from Bangalore was fairly simple once I found an authorised visa agent and had all my documents ready.
The important thing to remember is that you don’t necessarily have to apply from the state shown on your passport. My friend, who is from another state but was residing in Bangalore, was also able to apply from Bangalore after providing local address proof.
Ensure to check the latest authorised-agent list and ask your agent for their current document checklist before preparing your application.
The process can be summarised as: Find an authorised agent → Prepare your documents → Submit Form 14A and supporting documents → Pay the visa fee → Wait 3–5 working days → Receive your e-Visa → Submit the SG Arrival Card before travelling.
Visa requirements, fees and authorised-agent lists can change, so always verify the latest information on the official Singapore government websites before applying.