What is a good intermediate term pass for a US citizen?

[AllBiz]

Hi, I'm looking to stay in Singapore for one year as an Indian-American citizen. I'm currently in Thailand, and have a one-year educational visa. Is there a similar option in Singapore?

I'm skeptical based on what I've read, it seems the government is not so lax about issuing student passes. So another option on my mind is chaining together a series of tourist visa visits.

[zzm9980]

It's easy to get a student visa, as long as you're willing to register for appropriate courses. There are a bunch of schools with thinly-veiled "cash for visa" programs, just be expected to pay at least S$4k+ for 6-9 months. Just do some googling for "english classes singapore" or "international college singapore".

Your tourist visa is possibly, but has a good chance of drawing negative attention by your third or forth visit. Especially if you don't stay out of the country for at least a week. Singapore profiles prolifically, and the ICA agents at the airport won't care what color your passport is. They're going to see an Indian and that may unfortunately work against you as your multiple entries start to draw attention.

[taxico]

working holiday visa if you are between 18-25 and college educated (need not have graduated, please google for exclusions/eligibility).

[AllBiz]

I'm 30 so I don't meet those age requirements. But it's good to know the student pass is still an option, thanks.

Next on my list is figuring out all the paperwork requirements (proof of income, citizenship, background check, etc.) and acceptable corresponding US documents . Anyone know where I could get this information?

[PNGMK]

http://www.ica.gov.sg

As a US Citizen you will be able to get several 90 day passes without too much trouble.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore% ... _Agreement

[AllBiz]

http://www.ica.gov.sg
As a US Citizen you will be able to get several 90 day passes without too much trouble. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore% ... _Agreement

This looks like a very convenient option, thanks.

It's easy to get a student visa, as long as you're willing to register for appropriate courses. There are a bunch of schools with thinly-veiled "cash for visa" programs, just be expected to pay at least S$4k+ for 6-9 months. Just do some googling for "english classes singapore" or "international college singapore".

Are there such programs for longer term Employment/S passes also? I make my own good money and don't need the job, just the Visa.

[zzm9980]

It's easy to get a student visa, as long as you're willing to register for appropriate courses. There are a bunch of schools with thinly-veiled "cash for visa" programs, just be expected to pay at least S$4k+ for 6-9 months. Just do some googling for "english classes singapore" or "international college singapore".

Are there such programs for longer term Employment/S passes also? I make my own good money and don't need the job, just the Visa.

No, there aren't. Singapore isn't quite interested in hosting the traveling free-lancer long term.

[sundaymorningstaple]

http://www.ica.gov.sg

As a US Citizen you will be able to get several 90 day passes without too much trouble.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore% ... _Agreement

I also would not put too much stock in getting more than one additional extension 90 day pass. You might be able to leave the country for a week and get a third one, but no guarantees because by that time the ICA will be on to what you are doing.

[JR8]

I can't imagine you'd get nine months on a tourist visa. The average visitor stays 2.5 days.

In my own experience some years ago now, I entered via Changi, got a 90 day chop... I later visited JB and got a 30 day chop on my return. At that point (after reading/investigations on the matter etc) I concluded that I'd enjoyed about the maximum duration SVP that one might expect to receive.

It's hard to suggest anything without knowing the purpose of your trip. But if I were the ICA officer my thoughts would be along the lines of...

- Why did you spend a year in Thailand
- How did you support yourself
- Why do you want to spend a year in Singapore
- What will you do
- Please show me proof that you have the funds required to stay in a hotel for a year.