Singaporeans have a lot of freedom when it comes to international travel and the Singaporean passport is one of the most powerful in the world.
One of the agreements that make it such a powerful document is the ETIAS, a visa waiver program that grants Singaporeans (along with residents of approximately 60 other nations) access to the Schengen Zone.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Singapore Citizens
ETIAS stands for “European Travel Information and Authorization System” and is an automated system that automatically evaluates all visitors to the Schengen Zone. If granted, authorization will remain valid for up to 3 years and can be used to access the area for 90 days within any 180-day period.
For example, you can spend 30 days in Spain, 30 days in France, and then 30 days in Italy, after which you need to leave the area, waiting for another 90 days (180 days from the date of your initial visit) before visiting again.
Does the ETIAS Apply to All of Europe?
The ETIAS only applies to countries within the Schengen Zone. It includes some of the most-visited tourist cities in the world—Paris, Munich, Athens, Rome, Naples, Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna—but it doesn’t span all of Europe.
For instance, the United Kingdom and Russia are not in the Schengen Zone and so the ETIAS doesn’t apply here.
How Do Singaporeans Apply for an ETIAS?
Singaporeans can apply for ETIAS authorization online via the official ETIAS website. The application form asks some basic questions (name, date of birth, vacation destination) and requires a passport submission. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the first date of travel and will remain valid for 3 years or until the passport expires.
It costs just €7 to submit the application (paid by credit card or debit card) and authorization is usually granted within 72 hours. The ETIAS process is automated, with the applicant’s details checked against major international databases. If a security risk is detected, a manual review will be triggered and the application may be refused.
Can Singapore Citizens Travel to the US Without a Visa?
Singapore is part of the visa-waiver program in the United States. Known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), this system is similar to the ETIAS. Travelers are required to complete an online application and will be valid for up to 2 years.
ESTA authorization can be used to access the United States for up to 90 days at a time.
Can Singapore Citizens Travel to the UK Without a Visa?
The United Kingdom is not in the Schengen Zone and so the ETIAS is not valid. However, it does grant access to Singaporean citizens for up to 6 months.
Where Else Can Singapore Citizens Travel Without a Visa?
The Singapore passport is one of the most valuable in the world. The Henley Passport Index ranks it second on the overall list. All passport holders can access 192 countries and regions without a visa or through a visa-waiver program.
In addition to the European Union, United States, and the United Kingdom, Singapore passport holders can visit most countries in South America and Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Of the countries that require a visa, most are in Africa, including Mali, Libya, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.