going on visiting pass (90 days) and looking for a job ?

[Leo99]

Just to clarify a small but salient fact. The reason Singapore gives 90 days to certain countries is that they are reciprocating what that country gives Singaporeans on entry into their country. Other countries are dependent on whether or not they deem the country as one that would be both beneficial and prudent to give longer or shorter duration visa and whether to charge for visas or not.

As a tourist, the government knows already that the whole country can be seen in a week - 10 days max. But in order to give reciprocity they give equal length visas.

Actually Singapore does not apply equal visitation limits to all other countries. Singapore citizens can visit Canada, for example, for 6 months, while Canadians coming to SG get only 14 or 30 days on arrival, according to:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/arriving.asp
http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/singapore

Most countries citizens do not require a visa to enter Singapore, but these less desirable ones do:

http://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_o ... &secid=165

Some reasons why they are less desirable can be drawn from these criterion, and i quote:

1. being a low security risk for the country potentially granting visa-free entry

2. diplomatic relationship between two countries

3. economic conditions in the alien's home country as compared to the host country

4. having a low risk of overstaying or violating visa terms in the country potentially granting visa-free entry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_(document)

Since these nations are full of way more undesirables than first world nations, they must comply with the following in applying for a visa, which may or may not be granted, including:

1. Filling out forms & documents.
2. Paying a non refundable fee.
3. Providing a photo.
4. A security deposit of 1-3K SG$ may also be required.

http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=168&secid=166
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=169&secid=166

Even some poor countries that get a hassle free no fee no visa required entry to Singapore have their citizens put on a very short leash re visits, as i have documented previously in another thread. This is in contrast to nationals of first world sovereignties who get 30-90 days on arrival via air.

BTW, i've never seen an official list of those 90 day countries. Have you? The USA seems to always be mentioned on any lists i've seen. Others would be EU members, Norway & Switzerland. Also from a report on this site a Korean who had been banned from SG for a year was thereafter immediately granted a 90 day SVP.

"Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. Refer to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority [2] for current guidelines, including a list of the 30+ nationalities that are required to obtain a visa in advance. Entry permit duration depends on nationality and entry point: most people get 14 or 30 days, although EU, Norwegian, Swiss and US passport holders get 90 days."

http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore#Get_in

As a tourist, the government knows already that the whole country can be seen in a week - 10 days max.

The whole country? It would take you probably at least 40 days just to have dinner in 40 restaurants. And that's just one meal on the menu. But for the typically boring "sight seeing" tourist, yeah, 7-10 days is enough in SG and most countries. Though i'm sure the SG tourism authorities are aware of many other types of tourists, who may wish to stay much longer, if they have the freedom & can afford it, such as:

1. Medical tourists
2. Job seekers
3. Businessmen
4. Investors
5. Relationship interested
6. Retirees/snowbirds
7. Casino gamblers

Just to name a few, many more being listed here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Types_of_tourism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism

[sundaymorningstaple]

[Leo99]

Foreign workers = employment for nationals. the phrase 'taking our jobs' is never applicable. It doesn't make sense for any ICA dept to issue work passes for workers who are competing for jobs that their citizens want.

That naive comment demonstates ignorance of the real world in Singapore:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/singapore-anno ... iness.html

The PAP position has even been compared to "Alice in Wonderland":

http://singaporedissident.blogspot.sg/2 ... gners.html

[econstudent]

For sake of some resolution on the original topic: I got a 90 day pass multiple times in 3 weeks of being in and out of the country. It seems to be the sop. No one asked me anything. I carry an American passport. Thanks all.

[AngMoG]

For sake of some resolution on the original topic: I got a 90 day pass multiple times in 3 weeks of being in and out of the country. It seems to be the sop. No one asked me anything. I carry an American passport. Thanks all.

Thanks for coming back. Do keep us updated.

[kookaburrah]

This example resolves nothing.

You come in, get 90 days. Leave after 3, stay away 2.
Come back, get another 90. Leave after 4, stay away 3.
Come back, get another 90. Leave after 5, stay away a week.
Come back get another 90.

You realise they aren't increasing the length of your effective stay by all that much, I hope? In the case above, you're getting 12 extra days, all chopped up in pieces. Hardly an illegal immigrant's dream.

For sake of some resolution on the original topic: I got a 90 day pass multiple times in 3 weeks of being in and out of the country. It seems to be the sop. No one asked me anything. I carry an American passport. Thanks all.

[econstudent]

This example resolves nothing.

You come in, get 90 days. Leave after 3, stay away 2.
Come back, get another 90. Leave after 4, stay away 3.
Come back, get another 90. Leave after 5, stay away a week.
Come back get another 90.

You realise they aren't increasing the length of your effective stay by all that much, I hope? In the case above, you're getting 12 extra days, all chopped up in pieces. Hardly an illegal immigrant's dream.

For sake of some resolution on the original topic: I got a 90 day pass multiple times in 3 weeks of being in and out of the country. It seems to be the sop. No one asked me anything. I carry an American passport. Thanks all.

Well... This example resolves the only question I had: whether I'd be given a 30 day or a 90 day pass on arrival. The fact that I've been in and out of the country is a coincidence and just strengthens my argument. I think we may have different goals in mind: mine is to get a legal job. I am not sure what yours is, but I wish you all the best sir.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And another one shot down in flames for not understanding the scenario.

As far as getting 90 days when you arrive, that is standard for American on arrival. Doesn't matter if you tell 'em you only gonna be here for 2 weeks, they'll still give you 90 days.