Re-entry & Visitor Visa question

[Miss Swan]

Hi guys I need this question answered.

My friend's mum is Aussie and she's in Singapore for almost 90 days, but she wants to extend her visa for a bit more. She lives in QLD which was hit by floods and can't go back home cos the house is just wrecked and the insurance company's taking ages to get back to her. She's planning to pop to Malaysia for a few days so that she can refresh/renew (whatever you call it) her visitor's visa.

The question is how many days does she need to be out of Singapore in order for her Singapore visitor visa to start from Day Zero again?

I checked the Immi website but I can't find such information (might have missed it or something).

Thanks!

[ecureilx]

Hi guys I need this question answered.

My friend's mum is Aussie and she's in Singapore for almost 90 days, but she wants to extend her visa for a bit more. She lives in QLD which was hit by floods and can't go back home cos the house is just wrecked and the insurance company's taking ages to get back to her. She's planning to pop to Malaysia for a few days so that she can refresh/renew (whatever you call it) her visitor's visa.

The question is how many days does she need to be out of Singapore in order for her Singapore visitor visa to start from Day Zero again?

I checked the Immi website but I can't find such information (might have missed it or something).

Thanks!

Technically speaking, what you want to do is not illegal, nor it is accepted .. and yes, I know everybody does it

some countries are direct it telling people that you must be way for x number of days .. and most are not. I know Malaysians who do visa run t0 Singapore and vice versa

The main thing is - you cant "ZERO" the visitor visa, and ICA (not IMMI -thats a new one for me .. ) recommends people to get LTVP if they need longer stay ..

So, there are people who do U Turn in Malaysia (essentially land in City Square and take the next bus out) and get 30 days in Singapore and then a lot others who plan carefully, and take the short term rental apartments in JB, or even fly to KL and after a week return back and ICA smiles and gives them 7 days ..

So, no ZERO business - I know some may come out and say otherwise, but .. if it is so clear cut, why isn't ICA publishing it ?

Your friend's mom is a genuine case, and unlike her, for every genuine case atleast a hundred or more exploit the visa runs .. and the majority of those who exploit do it for reasons I couldn't mention in this forum .. and sort of have the SOP - arrive, stay her,e for 30 days, extend online and then 7 days in JB and back .. etc. etc ..

So ... a smart choice would be to go to ICA and apply for LTVP ...

PS: I have heard people demanding 30 days in the Woodlands/Tuas checkpoint, instead of 7 days, swearing and insisting that they have fulfilled the 1 week stay away from Singapore etc. etc .. that doesn't work with ICA for SVP

simply - Not done ..

Cheers

[Miss Swan]

Thanks for the head's up ecureilx.

What you're saying is, "So, there are people who do U Turn in Malaysia (essentially land in City Square and take the next bus out) and get 30 days in Singapore" and "or even fly to KL and after a week return back and ICA smiles and gives them 7 days .." Why are there 7 days and 30 days? There's no fixed rule that says if you pop to M'sia and come back, your visa is automatically extended by 30 days?

"insisting that they have fulfilled the 1 week stay away from Singapore" Does that mean the usual case is the traveller must stay out of the country for a week before being entitled to 30 day extension?

Now the problem is, the mum HAS gone to ICA, and was told that she cannot get an extension because none of her children is a PR or Singaporeans. Only her son is in Singapore, but he has no PR (also an Aussie), neither is he employed under a company (home-based trader). He's married to a Singaporean but has failed numerous times in his attempts to obtain a PR (crazy as it may sound). It appears that even her Singaporean sibling cannot be a sponsor, as verified personally with ICA.

Hence she's planning a quick trip to M'sia. Worst case scenario, she returns to OZ for 2 weeks and comes back again but that is just awful to think about because of the high travelling cost and her disability issue.

[ecureilx]

What you're saying is, "So, there are people who do U Turn in Malaysia (essentially land in City Square and take the next bus out) and get 30 days in Singapore" and "or even fly to KL and after a week return back and ICA smiles and gives them 7 days .." Why are there 7 days and 30 days? There's no fixed rule that says if you pop to M'sia and come back, your visa is automatically extended by 30 days?

Yes, and if there was one, it would be in the ICA site right ??

"insisting that they have fulfilled the 1 week stay away from Singapore" Does that mean the usual case is the traveller must stay out of the country for a week before being entitled to 30 day extension?

That;s the rule for certain countries - I saw this, for India - if a person went to India on Social visit, upon return, when the visa form is sent to the Embassy (not in Singapore - another place) The passport is returned with a note saying 'apply after 2 weeks' and any applicant who submits after 2 weeks will get the next social visa ... and that's the norm ..

Not for Singapore ... for obvious reasons that this place is a magnet for all and sundry ...

Now the problem is, the mum HAS gone to ICA, and was told that she cannot get an extension because none of her children is a PR or Singaporeans. Only her son is in Singapore, but he has no PR (also an Aussie), neither is he employed under a company (home-based trader). He's married to a Singaporean but has failed numerous times in his attempts to obtain a PR (crazy as it may sound). It appears that even her Singaporean sibling cannot be a sponsor, as verified personally with ICA.

Her sibling could extend the visa, for another 30 days, with their IC - not sure if that was done ..

Hence she's planning a quick trip to M'sia. Worst case scenario, she returns to OZ for 2 weeks and comes back again but that is just awful to think about because of the high travelling cost and her disability issue.

As I said, a quick trip may or may not work

As the lady is old, there is a chance that ICA will not be so stringent when she returns back from Malaysia ..

As happened to a friend's parents, when they hopped over to Malaysia, and returned to Singapore the same day and only wanted a week and needed we week, and was written in the white card too that they expect to stay for one week, they were given 30 days ..

Cheers

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks for the head's up ecureilx.

What you're saying is, "So, there are people who do U Turn in Malaysia (essentially land in City Square and take the next bus out) and get 30 days in Singapore" and "or even fly to KL and after a week return back and ICA smiles and gives them 7 days .." Why are there 7 days and 30 days? There's no fixed rule that says if you pop to M'sia and come back, your visa is automatically extended by 30 days?

There are no rules. The immigration officer is Dog. The fact is, your mother's details have already been flagged by ICA. This means, regardless of the point of exit from this country, on her return, she might be given 7 days/14 days or even 30 days. However on a quick turn around she also likely to only get 3 days as well. (I've seen that happen several times to oil field hands who where between contract - I spent the formative part of my journey here in that industry and also did the same when necessary in those days) 3 days! yep. Time enough to get packed, get an airline ticket out and a fair thee well for a minimum of 6 months before being allowed to re-enter Singapore.

"insisting that they have fulfilled the 1 week stay away from Singapore" Does that mean the usual case is the traveller must stay out of the country for a week before being entitled to 30 day extension?

The common believe is a minimum of 5 days in order to keep from getting a 7 or 14 day visa. You can forget getting a 90 days visa unless you apply for an LTVP or leave Singapore for 6 months. New arrivals to Singapore are usually given the maximum allowable for that country if asked, but returning/turnaround visitors are going to be just lucky to get anything at all. Now if you are on a 90 day visa and after 30 days you go to Thailand for a week, it's a possibility that you MAY (not guaranteed) get 90 days again as you original visa would not have run out upon your return after a week. Or, they might just give you a visa the would run to your original 90 date. they are at liberty to do as they see fit.

Now the problem is, the mum HAS gone to ICA, and was told that she cannot get an extension because none of her children is a PR or Singaporeans. Only her son is in Singapore, but he has no PR (also an Aussie), neither is he employed under a company (home-based trader). He's married to a Singaporean but has failed numerous times in his attempts to obtain a PR (crazy as it may sound). It appears that even her Singaporean sibling cannot be a sponsor, as verified personally with ICA.

Hence she's planning a quick trip to M'sia. Worst case scenario, she returns to OZ for 2 weeks and comes back again but that is just awful to think about because of the high travelling cost and her disability issue.

She better start thinking about returning to Oz for 6 months as she's already been flagged by ICA it's rough, but it's not Singapore's problem, unfortunately.

[Miss Swan]

Thanks guys, for your replies!

SMS, what you said is worrying! Because the friend's plan is to send his mum back to OZ, wait 2 weeks and then let her fly back with the assumption that she'll get another 90 day visa.

The reason why the mum has to hang out here for so long is because:
1) her QLD house is in no condition to stay in and she's got no relatives there whom she can bunk in with. She could stay with friends but she wouldn't like to impose on them indefinitely because she has absolutely NO idea when she can get her payout and when her house will be refurnished and refurbished.

2) Her son's wedding is in July, and will be held at Singapore.

If she's only given 30 days stay when after staying in OZ for 2 weeks, that will be very very bad news. She's in her 60's and is classified disabled by doctors. Flying back and forth will just wreck havoc on her body...

[sundaymorningstaple]

What I've said are the possibilities, not what will happen. Although it very well could and can. Just make sure that she has a backup plan as there are no guarantees, so she needs to approach this with her eyes wide open and understands that the whole plan can very possibly go belly up.

This is also worrying......

Now the problem is, the mum HAS gone to ICA, and was told that she cannot get an extension because none of her children is a PR or Singaporeans. Only her son is in Singapore, but he has no PR (also an Aussie), neither is he employed under a company (home-based trader). He's married to a Singaporean but has failed numerous times in his attempts to obtain a PR (crazy as it may sound). It appears that even her Singaporean sibling cannot be a sponsor, as verified personally with ICA.

[carlsum1986]

i would suggest u gather up enough cash and get the ten year visa in malaysia with the malaysia my second home programme

[Mad Scientist]

Now the problem is, the mum HAS gone to ICA, and was told that she cannot get an extension because none of her children is a PR or Singaporeans. Only her son is in Singapore, but he has no PR (also an Aussie), neither is he employed under a company (home-based trader). He's married to a Singaporean but has failed numerous times in his attempts to obtain a PR (crazy as it may sound). It appears that even her Singaporean sibling cannot be a sponsor, as verified personally with ICA.

Miss Swan, you post is very confusing. Her childrens are not SGer but Husband is . Why can't he becomes her sponsor ? You said it "appears" that no one can sponsor her.Did you get it from the ICA officer as a fact or did you hear it from someone else ?

[Miss Swan]

"He's married to a Singaporean" -> "He" refers to her son. Not her husband.
I meant that her son is married to a Singaporean but he can't sponsor his mum because he hasn't obtained PR status.

She went down personally to ICA. ICA told her only her children can sponsor her (which won't work out because none of her kids are Sgreans). She has a Singaporean sister but ICA said the sister is unable to sponsor her. I find the entire process very contradictory.

Anyway the mum is booking her flight back to fulfil her visa requirements. I've called up ICA to enquire about her re-entry status and it's a relief to know that there shouldn't be an issue awarding her another 90 days when she returns to SG in a couple of weeks, because she's going back to her home country.

[Mad Scientist]

OK , sorry misunderstood your statement

If you can get a local sponsor , to my understanding you should be able to get extension. Did the officer said to her to that effect ?

Read this which contradicts what you have informed us unless I misunderstood the link again

https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFSe ... eload=true

[Miss Swan]

That's where the irony is. According to ICA, only her children are allowed to sponsor her. This information was personally provided by the officer.

[FaeLLe]

"He's married to a Singaporean" -> "He" refers to her son. Not her husband.
I meant that her son is married to a Singaporean but he can't sponsor his mum because he hasn't obtained PR status.

She went down personally to ICA. ICA told her only her children can sponsor her (which won't work out because none of her kids are Sgreans). She has a Singaporean sister but ICA said the sister is unable to sponsor her. I find the entire process very contradictory.

This cannot be true.

His sons wife (SG Citizen) can use e-XTEND and log in using her SingPass to renew the SVP of both his parents himself.
Please see quote below, definition of Family ties refer to spouse, children, parents, parents-in-laws or siblings.

EDIT: PS. my cousin also used e-XTEND as a EP P2 holder and renewed both his parents SVP for another 30 days. Though the website says local contact must be SPR or SC.

Conditions

If you fulfill all the following conditions, you can submit an application online.

a) You have not previously obtained an extension of stay on this trip
b) You wish to extend your stay up to 89 days from date of entry to Singapore
c) Your visit pass has a remaining validity of at least 2 working days from date of submission. (Note: Working days are from Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays)
d) You will not return to Singapore within 5 days from the departure date of your current trip
If you confirm that you fulfill all the above conditions and agree that you will not be seeking any (further) extension after this application, irrespective of the outcome, you may

a) Click Extension up to 30 days link in the main menu if you wish to apply for extension up to 30 days from expiry of current visit pass
b) Click Extension up to 89 days link in the main menu if you wish to apply for extension up to 89 days from date of entry and fulfill the following criteria:-
(i) You are a foreigner with family ties where your immediate family members are Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident and you are able to furnish original supporting documentary evidence to establish relationship; or
(ii) You are a foreigner who is seeking medical treatment in Singapore and are able to furnish original letter from a Singapore registered doctor to support your extension of stay.

Try it yourself at https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFSe ... eload=true

[ecureilx]

That's where the irony is. According to ICA, only her children are allowed to sponsor her. This information was personally provided by the officer.

Per ICA Speak, Sponsor is for LTVP / DP !!

And for extension, any local/PR can extend using Singpass, at the ICA Xtend site .. though the person extending becomes the defacto sponsor ..

But if she has used up the maximum extension, a flight back home is the safest option, in my eyes ..