Got IPA, need help on travelling requirements UREGNT

[arshali]

Hi, I am from Pakistan working in a bank and getting transfered to Singapore office, i got IPA letter through third party. When I wanted to fly with copy of IPA ltr, local immegiration stopped me and asked me to produce original visa or "Ok to board" message should be passed from Airline's singapore office, when my employer contacted airline singapore office, they are not aware of any such process. Local immigration actually wants confirmation that my visa is geniun and not forged.

Anybody came accross same situation? or any advise?

[merichan]

IPA doesn't absolve you from the usual requirements to enter Singapore... the work visa isn't valid YET

If you usually need a visa to enter Singapore you need to get one, then once in Singapore you can activate your EP, work permit etc.

In our case with our passports we had anyway a 90days visit pass on arrival, so we didn't need to take any steps... but other friends had to get a visa to enter singapore and then could change it in EP/DP once here

[arshali]

Thanks for your feedback, my IPA letter says that it contains pre-approved single entry visa, do I still need a separate visa?

Third part who arranged this IPA for me also confirmed that this letter contains single entry visa

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sounds to me like you forgot the coffee money.

[Mad Scientist]

Thanks for your feedback, my IPA letter says that it contains pre-approved single entry visa, do I still need a separate visa?

Third part who arranged this IPA for me also confirmed that this letter contains single entry visa

I will throw my half cents. I am low in coins now.

Where you are from is a BIG ISSUE in SG by the known facts what your countrymen did in other places. Not that I am accusing you of anything but it is a fact of life and you have to suffer for it.Hence these problems.
Now, correct me if I am wrong, your IPA has a single entry visa . Does it state on the paper Visa Number and stamped by SG Mission in Pakistan?
What I do know is Visa Label or approval must be stamped on YOUR PASSPORT not on any docs. The docs are to show that you have been approved. If it is stamped on the PP it is genuine as it can be.
The passport is the life of one when travelling overseas
If you have that in place, all names on board from some countries listed by Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore need to be vetted. Hence the manifest list will be send to airline office in SG.If all is OK then Welcome to Singapore as one said.
Does this makes sense to you ?

[arshali]

Thanks for your comments and help

[arshali]

Hi, I have applied for visa based on my IPA letter on 16th June and still waiting for approval, I also called ICA and they were of the view that sinve you have already approved visa in your IPA, you dont need another visa, after my explanations about local immigration requirements on actual visa stamped on passport, they said ok they'll look into this.

Any idea how can I get this expedited?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sure, keep calling ICA and maybe you will p*ss them off and you won't get any help at all. You will get it when you get it.

Actually, you should just be thankful you got it at all.

[Mad Scientist]

Hi, I have applied for visa based on my IPA letter on 16th June and still waiting for approval, I also called ICA and they were of the view that sinve you have already approved visa in your IPA, you dont need another visa, after my explanations about local immigration requirements on actual visa stamped on passport, they said ok they'll look into this.

Any idea how can I get this expedited?

This is totally strange getting this reply from ICA. Did you get it in writing ?.
My thoughts are even if ICA say no problem, your border control will not allow you to fly as per your earlier post and moreover it is a requirement to have visa to enter SG from Level 1 countries.
Calling them is good but you need to have their names and position and have in balck and white. You are here to work , you do not want yourself to be mess up by immigration would you ?

[arshali]

Hi Thanks for your advise, where can I write them? i mean i couldnt find relevant email address, please advise

[Mad Scientist]

Hi Thanks for your advise, where can I write them? i mean i couldnt find relevant email address, please advise

What I meant is did you get what ICA told you in writing ? Not the other way round. I am not sure , maybe my English is bad but I think you should be able to understand my earlier post, dawg ? You get my drift ?

[arshali]

Thanks, i did not get anything in writing, just called them and got this response

[Mad Scientist]

This is beyond me . Sorry I cannot make out how to advise you or I must have miss something
Go to this link www.ica.gov.sg. www.mom.gov.sg and try to figure out what is needed for you to go forward.
Good Luck

[FaeLLe]

I am not sure why everyone is advising him of all such incorrect facts.

He has the IPA that is all that is required.
Some airlines have a requirement to show the original visa copy in their Singapore office for an OK TO BOARD message.

This no longer is a requirement from other airlines.

One way out is to fly to another city and transit out to Singapore.
Get a visa to that country stamped on your passport.

Alternatively contact your local singapore embassy and ask them to issue a letter saying that it is standard practice for Singapore to issue only ELECTRONIC VISA's and that they do not issue Physical visas stamped on Passport anymore.

PS. you will never get a physical passport. You need to work out of your local bureaucracy and convince them that this is standard practice for countries like Singapore now.


Also this has nothing to do with his nationality or the actions committed by them. I think this thread has gone off on a tangent

[sundaymorningstaple]

You hold passports of all third-world countries izzit?

Ever tried to leave Myanmar as a Myanmar citizen?