US Citizen to Marry Singaporean in Sinagpore

[pyropeach]

I am currently a United States citizen and plan on marrying my fiancee in Singapore. Thereafter, I intend to become a permanent resident. However, I must first enter Singapore as a visitor, and for that, do I need to possess a return flight ticket in order to enter? Obviously, I would prefer not to purchase round trip tickets because I need to stay with my future wife in Singapore, and I already bought a one-way ticket going there. Also, I have applied to Nanyang Technological University biomedical graduate program and awaiting there response, but I do not believe this really helps my situation. What is really worrying me is if I can even enter the country without a return flight ticket, and if it is even possible to stay there long term after marrying my Fiancee.

I would appreciate any help anyone could give and I give my thanks in advance.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It is possible. But it is safer to have a round trip ticket. I didn't have one but again, that was 30 years ago. A lot has changed since then. You can take a gamble or spend $150 or so to make the return trip portion refundable or whatever it costs now.

You should be okay but I've never been much of a gambler. Be sure to request 90 days when you come through immigration though.

[pyropeach]

Thanks for the reply. What if I just buy a ticket to Malaysia and show them that, does it need to be back to the US?

[Mad Scientist]

Thanks for the reply. What if I just buy a ticket to Malaysia and show them that, does it need to be back to the US?

Doing visa run to Malaysia ala JB or KL will only complicate matters and it will trigger border control officer if you have too many runs. Best to get a ticket back to US. Once ROM in SG , apply for LTSVP and your fiancee/wife will be your sponsor. Not sure if you will get the pass pronto but this is the forst step. If you do get accepted to Uni then change your LTSVP or SVP to student pass

[pyropeach]

Doing visa run to Malaysia ala JB or KL will only complicate matters and it will trigger border control officer if you have too many runs

Does this mean if I cross into Malaysia once and then return to SG, the 3 month visitor pass will be reset for another 3 months? I realize this would be dangerous if attempted multiple times, but it would be a good backup just in case. Thanks for responding, it has been helpful

[zzm9980]

For what it's worth, as a young 'clean cut' Caucasian male (Sorry for the implied racism, but it's real here) with a US passport I was never asked for a return ticket when using the manual lanes at immigration. Hell, I wouldn't have had them available in most cases even if they were to have asked.

Of course. it is always a risk though.

[aster]

Is it an absolute necessity to have an outwards ticket when entering Singapore?

Or maybe it's one of the requirements placed on airlines before they check you in on your flight to SIN? I recall flying here on a 1-way and the check-in staff in Europe insisted that I show them a pass that shows that I live/work here. Not sure what would have happened if I just claimed that I'm only a tourist and I want to make further travel arrangements once I get to SIN...

[zzm9980]

I do suppose it's possible airlines check, they would have always had my full itinerary. Except when I moved here...

[nutnut]

When I came here on a visit before I moved here I wasn't checked, when I arrived to live with a one way I was scrutinised and had to show my IPA etc.

I'm a clean cut white UK National.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Is it an absolute necessity to have an outwards ticket when entering Singapore?

Or maybe it's one of the requirements placed on airlines before they check you in on your flight to SIN? I recall flying here on a 1-way and the check-in staff in Europe insisted that I show them a pass that shows that I live/work here. Not sure what would have happened if I just claimed that I'm only a tourist and I want to make further travel arrangements once I get to SIN...

It is a requirement that you show either a) your residency permit, or b) proof of onward journey before you are allowed to check in at least in the US. This has happened every trip I've made over the past 10 years or so. Before then I don't remember as the 1st 11 years I lived in Singapore I did so on a tourist visa. I worked offshore and I resided in Singapore but was never here more than 4 weeks at a time. I never had a return ticket for anywhere (usually I was returning from some other ASEAN country). After getting PR I never thought about it any more.....

[the lynx]

Well for those who travelled here one-way for work, there's definitely no problem as we would always have that IPA to prove why.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The IPA is a form of proof of residency as it automatically guarantees it's issue after arrival.

[ecureilx]

Is it an absolute necessity to have an outwards ticket when entering Singapore?

Part of the reason for the airlines insisting on a return ticket, apart from Immigration, is, if the person is refused entry at the arrival point, the airline has to haul the person back to the country of origin, at their cost.

Hence, like pax coming into Singapore, for any Asian visiting Europe/US, even with a valid visa, airlines insist on return ticket. Even a valid visa (or IPA) has no guarantee that the border control will allow the person in, as entry can be denied at the point of arrival.

And for a distant relative of mine, recently, he was barred boarding to US, even though he was on a green card, as he was departing his country of origin back to US as he didn't have a return ticket.

Only a bit of convincing by another american fellow travellor convinced the gate agent and her supervisor to allow the guy in.

The only reason the supervisor quoted was that they have strict rules to not board anybody other than US citizens, without a return ticket.

If you have worked in T1 or BT here, almost every Asean flight gets a couple of backs Returned to sender .. and the airline that flew them have to fly them back

[ksl]

I am currently a United States citizen and plan on marrying my fiancee in Singapore. Thereafter, I intend to become a permanent resident. However, I must first enter Singapore as a visitor, and for that, do I need to possess a return flight ticket in order to enter? Obviously, I would prefer not to purchase round trip tickets because I need to stay with my future wife in Singapore, and I already bought a one-way ticket going there. Also, I have applied to Nanyang Technological University biomedical graduate program and awaiting there response, but I do not believe this really helps my situation. What is really worrying me is if I can even enter the country without a return flight ticket, and if it is even possible to stay there long term after marrying my Fiancee.

I would appreciate any help anyone could give and I give my thanks in advance.

You should be okay on a single ticket, providing they give you 90 days, or enough time to apply for the LTVSP. PR status is quite a long shot the first couple of years so get used to the idea. A single or return ticket, there isn't a great deal to save between them from Europe I don't know about the US, so double check the price difference? You may be able to change the single ticket if you are lucky.

[sundaymorningstaple]

As noted in my post above, he will need proof of residency when he checks in at the airlines counter in the US. Or he will need a return ticket. The fact that he does not yet have a) student pass, b) acceptance by a local university, c) LTLVP of at least 6 months, d) IPA for an EP or e) a DP means he has nothing to prove residency so will be required to show an onward journey or return ticket. Normally a return ticket will be required.

He cannot get a 90 day visa until his arrival in Singapore where immigration will give him one "on request" if they don't automatically issue one as he's a US citizen and Singapore falls under the Visa Waiver Program.