SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore
Short term visit pass limit
Short term visit pass limit
Well, after a few years of moving out of Singapore, I am now confronted with this question again. Mostly because I have not been keeping track and I have searched quite a bit on the forum but can't seem to find it. Anyway, here goes: what's the maximum "unofficial" limit that one can stay in Singapore on a Social visit pass accumulatively? I remember it used to be 60 days (or was it 90?) for 180 days?
If it does help, I'm Vietnamese, used to study for about 5 years in Sg. I am now a film production manager in HCMC, and I am thinking of taking a month's break in Singapore in March. Well, work-from-hotel break, so I can get away from the phone ringing 24/7 and just deal with the emails and be with my partner and friends I know from my college days. But then I was in town for about 2 weeks in Jan for work, and now I am just worried they'll turn me around at immigration. I can't afford to take Apr or May or June off - that'll be my high season back here. Not that taking the entire March off is my brightest idea, but I am kinda burnt out and my fellow producers and AD friends in HCMC will all be out of town for March anyway.
If it does help, I'm Vietnamese, used to study for about 5 years in Sg. I am now a film production manager in HCMC, and I am thinking of taking a month's break in Singapore in March. Well, work-from-hotel break, so I can get away from the phone ringing 24/7 and just deal with the emails and be with my partner and friends I know from my college days. But then I was in town for about 2 weeks in Jan for work, and now I am just worried they'll turn me around at immigration. I can't afford to take Apr or May or June off - that'll be my high season back here. Not that taking the entire March off is my brightest idea, but I am kinda burnt out and my fellow producers and AD friends in HCMC will all be out of town for March anyway.
Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
There is no such limit.ThuyChi wrote:: what's the maximum "unofficial" limit that one can stay in Singapore on a Social visit pass accumulatively? I remember it used to be 60 days (or was it 90?) for 180 days?
.
A social visa is for "up to" 30 days, with a possible extension of another 30 days or another additional 30 days extension on next request, subject to immigration's discretion.
Maximum of 90 days.
But plan for 60 days maximum.
If you are a female from VN, you may be refused extension on your first extension. "MAYBE" is the key word.
Somebody may chime in with alternates, like staying in Malaysia


Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
Haha yeah, I know the "up to" and "maybe" thing. I don't have any intention in extending - I have real life waiting for me after the one month hiatusecureilx wrote:There is no such limit.ThuyChi wrote:: what's the maximum "unofficial" limit that one can stay in Singapore on a Social visit pass accumulatively? I remember it used to be 60 days (or was it 90?) for 180 days?
.
A social visa is for "up to" 30 days, with a possible extension of another 30 days or another additional 30 days extension on next request, subject to immigration's discretion.
Maximum of 90 days.
But plan for 60 days maximum.
If you are a female from VN, you may be refused extension on your first extension. "MAYBE" is the key word.
Somebody may chime in with alternates, like staying in Malaysia


So far in ASEAN countries, every time as soon as I say film producer / film production manager, people just wave me past. Some get curious and ask which film I did last, but that's as far as it goes. May help that I am not pretty , and am grossly overweight

I don't really have personal friends in Malaysia. I am so not bunking with some producer I barely know there unless it's for work

Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
Well, Singapore, though being part of Asean, is very strict for Social visa, and you should know that.ThuyChi wrote:So far in ASEAN countries, every time as soon as I say film producer / film production manager, people just wave me past. Some get curious and ask which film I did last, but that's as far as it goes. May help that I am not pretty , and am grossly overweight
In Philippines I can extend my Social visa for upto a year, and then pay a processing free for departure and come back in a week.
Try that in Singapore

Anyway, your call.
Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
Haha yeah, Singapore is very strict on Social Visa. Illegal workers and allecureilx wrote:Well, Singapore, though being part of Asean, is very strict for Social visa, and you should know that.ThuyChi wrote:So far in ASEAN countries, every time as soon as I say film producer / film production manager, people just wave me past. Some get curious and ask which film I did last, but that's as far as it goes. May help that I am not pretty , and am grossly overweight
In Philippines I can extend my Social visa for upto a year, and then pay a processing free for departure and come back in a week.
Try that in Singapore![]()
Anyway, your call.

Annnddd work came up. Seems like my sabbatical isn't going to happen

-
- Editor
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Sun, 13 Sep 2015 4:43 pm
Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
Visitors who are citizens of Vietnam are routinely granted up to 30 days at entry, yes. However, citizens of a few other countries are routinely granted up to 90 days at entry.ecureilx wrote:A social visa is for "up to" 30 days....
Re: RE: Re: RE: Short term visit pass limit
Not to barge in but some Vietnam passport holders also routinely get sent back home upon arrival. With no reasons given.BBCWatcher wrote:Visitors who are citizens of Vietnam are routinely granted up to 30 days at entry, yes. However, citizens of a few other countries are routinely granted up to 90 days at entry.ecureilx wrote:A social visa is for "up to" 30 days....
Wait, didn't I state the "30 day on arrival" information far far ahead in this same thread ?
And then I do remember you like to volunteer needless information, for the sake of completeness. Bravo.

It may be nicer to state which country passport holders may get 90 day visa.
-
- Chatter
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Sun, 06 Jun 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Bangkok
Re: Short term visit pass limit
I used to attempt to do this in 2011 before i was able to get my employment pass. You are allowed up to a quota of 90 days every six months as per the information that the immigration officer explained when she stamped my passport with less than 30 days.
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
Where didn't mention your nationalitycarlsum1986 wrote:I used to attempt to do this in 2011 before i was able to get my employment pass. You are allowed up to a quota of 90 days every six months as per the information that the immigration officer explained when she stamped my passport with less than 30 days.

-
- Chatter
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Sun, 06 Jun 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Bangkok
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
Malaysianecureilx wrote:Where didn't mention your nationalitycarlsum1986 wrote:I used to attempt to do this in 2011 before i was able to get my employment pass. You are allowed up to a quota of 90 days every six months as per the information that the immigration officer explained when she stamped my passport with less than 30 days.
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
Malaysians can do weekly visa runs and it wont' matter. Still don't apply in this guy's case - Vietnam Passport holder.carlsum1986 wrote:Malaysianecureilx wrote:Where didn't mention your nationalitycarlsum1986 wrote:I used to attempt to do this in 2011 before i was able to get my employment pass. You are allowed up to a quota of 90 days every six months as per the information that the immigration officer explained when she stamped my passport with less than 30 days.

In fact, A few Malaysians travel in daily and back and ICA don't care.
-
- Chatter
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Sun, 06 Jun 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Bangkok
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
ecureilx wrote:Malaysians can do weekly visa runs and it wont' matter. Still don't apply in this guy's case - Vietnam Passport holder.carlsum1986 wrote:Malaysianecureilx wrote: Where didn't mention your nationality![]()
In fact, A few Malaysians travel in daily and back and ICA don't care.
There is a limit on the number of days Malaysians can travel in and out on a visa on arrival.
Those that travel in and out usually have a work permit
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
Can you refer to the source ?carlsum1986 wrote:ecureilx wrote:Malaysians can do weekly visa runs and it wont' matter. Still don't apply in this guy's case - Vietnam Passport holder.carlsum1986 wrote:
Malaysian![]()
In fact, A few Malaysians travel in daily and back and ICA don't care.
There is a limit on the number of days Malaysians can travel in and out on a visa on arrival.
Those that travel in and out usually have a work permit

Because I have friends who sometime visit Singapore every day for a few weeks at a time, and they never had any problems. Interesting to know if you say otherwise.
-
- Chatter
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Sun, 06 Jun 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Bangkok
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
ecureilx wrote:Can you refer to the source ?carlsum1986 wrote:ecureilx wrote:
Malaysians can do weekly visa runs and it wont' matter. Still don't apply in this guy's case - Vietnam Passport holder.![]()
In fact, A few Malaysians travel in daily and back and ICA don't care.
There is a limit on the number of days Malaysians can travel in and out on a visa on arrival.
Those that travel in and out usually have a work permit
Because I have friends who sometime visit Singapore every day for a few weeks at a time, and they never had any problems. Interesting to know if you say otherwise.
I am speaking from personal experience. Anyway there is no use to keep debating this issue

I will let the OP try it on their own and let us know the outcome
Re: RE: Re: Short term visit pass limit
Agreed, and ... a Malaysian passport holder's privileges won't help A Vietnam Passport holdercarlsum1986 wrote:I am speaking from personal experience. Anyway there is no use to keep debating this issue![]()
I will let the OP try it on their own and let us know the outcome

There, I still had the last word


-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
Singapore Visa/Short term visit pass for Indian passport
by basukb » Sun, 03 Feb 2019 4:10 pm » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 1 Replies
- 1679 Views
-
Last post by sundaymorningstaple
Sun, 03 Feb 2019 7:07 pm
-
-
-
Short term visit pass?
by monliz » Mon, 30 Sep 2019 11:48 pm » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 3 Replies
- 1422 Views
-
Last post by kehinde.bello
Sat, 05 Oct 2019 2:50 pm
-
-
-
WEF 7 March 2020, tourists and short term visit pass holders to pay for COVID19 treatments
by abbby » Mon, 09 Mar 2020 8:49 pm » in General Discussions - 5 Replies
- 3137 Views
-
Last post by martincymru
Wed, 11 Mar 2020 3:40 pm
-
-
-
Entry to ICA building and extending the short term visit pass for LTVP
by jacqchin » Wed, 15 Jul 2020 8:53 pm » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 0 Replies
- 1398 Views
-
Last post by jacqchin
Wed, 15 Jul 2020 8:53 pm
-
-
-
Short-term visit pass extended and remote work
by estuador » Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:18 pm » in Careers & Jobs in Singapore - 8 Replies
- 4389 Views
-
Last post by hocuspocus
Sat, 19 Dec 2020 2:06 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: GTR1307, Path2Family and 13 guests