Singapore Visa Guide 2026: Tourist, EP, ONE Pass & Long-Stay Options

Bottom line: Most Western passport holders enter Singapore visa-free for 30 days (extendable to 90 by request). For work, the Employment Pass (must be employer-sponsored), EntrePass (for entrepreneurs), or ONE Pass (for high earners S$30k+/month) are the relevant routes. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa. The ICA has broad discretion on entry — have your story straight.

Singapore’s immigration system is well-organised, rule-based, and not particularly forgiving of ambiguity. The good news: if you know your category and meet the requirements, the process is generally predictable. The catch: Singapore has no provision for digital nomads in 2026, and the ICA takes a dim view of people working remotely on visitor entry as a long-term lifestyle.

Visitor Entry — The Basics

Citizens of around 160 countries can enter Singapore visa-free. Most Western passports (UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada) receive an initial 30-day Social Visit Pass on arrival, stamped in the passport. ICA immigration officers have discretion to grant up to 90 days on initial entry depending on travel history, itinerary, and circumstances — presenting onward travel and evidence of genuine tourist intent helps.

Extending a Social Visit Pass

You can apply to extend your Social Visit Pass at the ICA Building on Lavender Street. Extensions of 30 days are typically granted once for tourists; repeated extensions are less certain. The formal limit is 90 days total stay; in practice, most visitors extending once have no problems. Online extension is available via ICA’s website for simple cases.

Employment Pass (EP)

Singapore’s main professional work visa. Requirements: a job offer from a Singapore-based company, minimum monthly salary of S$5,000 (S$6,000 for financial services, higher for experienced candidates under the Complementarity Assessment Framework). The company applies on the employee’s behalf. Processing time: 3–8 weeks. Valid 1–2 years, renewable.

The EP is employer-tied — you cannot transfer it between employers without a new application. If you’re employed by a Singapore company and plan to stay, this is the straightforward route.

EntrePass

For founders starting a Singapore-registered company. Requirements: the company must be registered or incorporated in Singapore; must be in an innovative sector with venture funding, IP ownership, support from an incubator, or a track record. The bar is meaningfully higher than simply registering a company. Not a freelancer visa — Singapore does not have one.

ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass)

Launched in 2023 for top global talent. Minimum S$30,000/month salary (S$360,000/year). Valid 5 years. Covers most industries. For exceptional earners it’s genuinely useful — it’s employer-independent, meaning you can change jobs without a new visa application. Not accessible to most people.

Tech.Pass

For established tech leaders — C-level executives, technical founders, or senior technical professionals with at least 5 years’ experience. Income threshold: S$20,000/month. Niche but useful for the profile it targets.

The Remote Work Reality

Singapore has no dedicated remote work or digital nomad visa. The ICA’s position is that working for clients or employers while on a visitor pass is not permitted. In practice, short-term visitors (1–4 weeks) working remotely rarely encounter scrutiny. Long-term residence built on visitor entry with remote work carries real risk — ICA has denied entry to people who appear to be living in Singapore on tourism entries.

The practical options for those who want to live and work in Singapore: EP (requires Singapore employer), EntrePass (requires Singapore company with qualifying criteria), or ONE Pass (requires very high income). For those below these thresholds, neighbouring Kuala Lumpur (with its DE Rantau nomad visa) or Bangkok are more practical long-term bases — Singapore is better as a periodic hub than a permanent remote work residence.