“Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Singapore?” is usually the first question people ask. The good news is that since 9 February 2024, PRC ordinary passport holders can visit Singapore for tourism, family visits or business meetings visa-free for up to 30 days. But visa-free entry does not let you work, study or live there long term; once your purpose changes, you need the right visa or pass.
This guide is for PRC passport holders and covers all the main Singapore visa types: short-term visit visas, work passes (Employment Pass, S Pass, ONE Pass), the Student’s Pass, the Dependant’s Pass and the investor route, plus documents, fees, processing times and where to apply in China. All figures are as of October 2026 and come from Singapore’s official agencies.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Singapore?
According to the Singapore Embassy in Beijing, holders of PRC ordinary passports have been exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days since 9 February 2024; diplomatic, service and public affairs passport holders are also exempt for 30 days. People travelling on other PRC documents – such as the PRC Travel Document, the Hong Kong SAR Document of Identity or the Macau SAR Travel Permit – must still apply for a visa before travelling.
Visa-free status does not guarantee entry: immigration officers decide at the checkpoint whether to admit you and for how long. All travellers must submit the free SG Arrival Card through the ICA website or official app within three days before arrival, with a valid email address.
You may not work during a visa-free stay – no “trial shifts”, part-time jobs or paid services. Overstaying or working illegally can lead to fines, removal and a ban on future entry.
Singapore visa types at a glance
Singapore uses “visa” for short-term entry and “pass” for long-term documents for work, study and family. Work passes are issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM); the Student’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass and permanent residence are handled by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
| Type | Who | Validity | Official fee | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | Short-term visitors with PRC ordinary passports | Up to 30 days per visit | Free (SG Arrival Card required) | No application |
| Visit visa | Stays over 30 days or other PRC travel documents | Decided at entry | Fixed RMB 300 via agents (incl. S$30 government fee) | Authorised visa agents appointed by Singapore missions in China |
| Employment Pass (EP) | Professionals, managers, executives | Up to 2 years first, up to 3 years on renewal | S$105 application, S$225 issuance | Employer or employment agent, online via MOM |
| S Pass | Mid-level skilled staff | As approved by MOM | See MOM website | Employer, online |
| ONE Pass | Earners of S$30,000+/month or outstanding talent | 5 years, renewable | See MOM website | Individual or employer, online |
| Student’s Pass | Full-time students | Linked to the course | S$45 processing fee | ICA e-service |
| Dependant’s Pass (DP) | Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of EP/S Pass holders | Linked to the main pass | See MOM website | Employer, online |
| Permanent residence (PR) | Pass holders, family of citizens/PRs, investors | Re-entry permit usually 5 years | S$100 application fee | ICA |
How to apply for a short-term visa
Most Chinese visitors simply enter visa-free. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, travel on a non-ordinary PRC document, or otherwise need a visa, the process is:
- Check whether you need a visaOrdinary passport holders staying 30 days or less do not.
- Choose an authorised agentDownload the latest list of authorised visa agents from the Singapore missions’ website (updated 15 May 2026).
- Prepare documentsForm 14A, passport, ID card, photo and proof of employment, savings or studies.
- Submit in person and payUsually in person at the agent; fixed, non-refundable fee of RMB 300.
- Wait for a decisionUsually 3–5 working days, sometimes longer; apply 2–3 weeks before travel.
- Collect the e-visa and travelSubmit the SG Arrival Card within three days before arrival and follow officers’ instructions at entry.
Document checklist
The basic documents for a visit visa are:
- Form 14A
- Original passport valid for at least six months from your intended arrival; if it is close to expiry, renew it in China first – see our guide to getting or renewing a Chinese passport
- Resident identity card
- One recent passport-sized photo
- Proof of employment, bank deposit or student status (as the agent requires)
For work passes or the Student’s Pass you will also need degree certificates, transcripts, birth certificates and marriage certificates. Documents not in English need an accepted English translation. MOM requires some EP applicants to provide verification of their qualifications, so arrange degree authentication early. Applications for permanent residence or family passes may also call for a police certificate and notarised birth or marriage documents. China and Singapore are both parties to the Apostille Convention, so Chinese notarial certificates can usually be apostilled instead of going through consular legalisation – see our guide to apostilles in China.
Fees and processing times
| Item | Fee (2026) | Typical processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Visit visa (authorised agent) | RMB 300 | 3–5 working days |
| Employment Pass | S$105 application + S$225 issuance (+S$30 for a multiple-journey visa if needed) | Processed or updated within 10 business days; about 6 weeks for overseas companies without a Singapore office |
| Student’s Pass (institutes of higher learning) | S$45 processing fee | Usually within 1 week; about 2 weeks if a visa is required |
| Permanent residence | S$100 application; on approval S$20 entry permit, S$50 re-entry permit, S$50 IC | Usually within 6 months |
Work and long-term passes
Employment Pass (EP)
The EP is the main work pass for professionals. In 2026 the minimum monthly salary is S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services), rising each year of age from 23 to S$10,700 and S$11,800 respectively for those aged 45 or above. MOM has announced that for new applications from 1 January 2027 the minimum will rise to S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services).
Meeting the salary is only the first step: applications must also score at least 40 points under COMPASS, which assesses salary, qualifications, the employer’s workforce diversity and local hiring. Candidates earning at least S$22,500 a month are exempt from COMPASS. The employer applies; once approved, an in-principle approval (IPA) letter is issued and the candidate has six months to enter Singapore and collect the pass.
S Pass and ONE Pass
The S Pass is for mid-level skilled staff. In 2026 the minimum salary is S$3,300 (S$3,800 in financial services), rising to S$3,600 and S$4,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027; employers are also subject to quotas and levies. The ONE Pass requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 in the past 12 months or in the new job – or outstanding achievements in arts, sport or research – and is valid for five years at a time; holders can work for several companies or start a business.
Student visas
International students in full-time courses need a Student’s Pass; part-time, evening and weekend courses do not qualify. For institutes of higher learning, students apply through ICA’s e-service after receiving an offer, between two and three months before the course starts. The processing fee is S$45 and decisions usually take one to two weeks. You do not need to be in Singapore while the application is processed; you complete formalities after arrival.
Mothers or grandmothers who want to accompany a young student can look into ICA’s Long-Term Visit Pass arrangements, but conditions, eligible schools and work restrictions apply – always check ICA’s latest guidance.
Family reunion
Foreigners holding an EP or S Pass with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 can apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21; the sponsoring company must be an established Singapore-registered firm. Family members who do not qualify for a DP may be eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). Foreign spouses, children and elderly parents of Singapore citizens or permanent residents can be sponsored for an LTVP or permanent residence.
Investor, digital nomad and retirement options
Singapore has no dedicated digital nomad or retirement visa and no residence-by-property route. The investor route is the Global Investor Programme (GIP), run by the Economic Development Board (EDB), whose thresholds rose sharply from 15 March 2023:
- Option A: invest at least S$10 million in a new or existing Singapore business and meet hiring targets within five years to renew the re-entry permit;
- Option B: invest S$25 million in an EDB-approved GIP fund;
- Option C: set up a single-family office with at least S$200 million in assets under management, of which at least S$50 million is deployed in specified categories.
The GIP has strict requirements on the size, turnover and track record of the applicant’s business; successful applicants receive permanent residence directly.
Be very wary of agents promising “cheap investment, guaranteed Singapore residence”. Singapore has no low-cost investor route, and work passes cannot be “bought” by paying an employer.
Where to apply in China
Singapore has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xiamen. Since 8 December 2014 none of them accepts walk-in visa applications; all visit visas go through authorised visa agents, whose current list is published on the Singapore missions’ websites.
If you have a Singapore citizen or PR sponsor, they can also submit online through ICA’s e-service. Work, student and dependant passes are all applied for online, with no need to visit a mission; see the Ministry of Manpower website.
Common reasons for refusal and how to avoid them
- Incomplete or inconsistent documents: mismatches between the form, employment letter and bank statements are the most common problem.
- Unclear purpose: a long stay with no clear reason suggests a risk of illegal work.
- Past violations: overstays or illegal work in Singapore or elsewhere weigh heavily.
- Work pass thresholds not met: an EP salary below the age-based minimum or too few COMPASS points will fail even if the employer wants to hire you.
- False documents: fake degrees or employment records are a serious offence and can lead to a permanent ban.
From visa to permanent residence and citizenship
Singapore has no rule that grants PR automatically after a set number of years. EP and S Pass holders apply for permanent residence with their own Singpass; the fee is S$100 and processing usually takes up to six months, with income, qualifications, family ties, length of stay and integration all considered. PRs can later apply for citizenship, but Singapore does not allow adults to keep dual citizenship and China’s Nationality Law does not recognise dual nationality, so understand the effect on your hukou, property and social insurance in China first.
Read more in our Singapore permanent residence and citizenship guide, and on Chinese nationality rules in dual nationality and renouncing Chinese nationality. If PR or family pass applications require documents from China, see how to get a Chinese police clearance certificate. For life, healthcare and the Chinese community in Singapore, see our complete guide to moving to Singapore.
FAQ
Can I extend a 30-day visa-free stay in Singapore?
The length of stay is set by immigration officers on arrival. If you genuinely need more time, apply through ICA’s e-service before your permitted stay ends – never overstay.
What documents do I need for a Singapore tourist visa?
Ordinary passport holders staying 30 days or less need no visa. Applicants who do need one usually prepare Form 14A, a passport valid for six months or more, an ID card, a photo and proof of employment, savings or studies.
Can I apply for a Singapore work visa myself?
No. EP and S Pass applications must be submitted by a Singapore employer or employment agent; only a few passes, such as the ONE Pass, can be applied for by individuals.
Can I stay and work in Singapore after graduating there?
Yes, once you find a job your employer can apply for an EP or S Pass, but the salary and COMPASS requirements still apply.
Sources
- Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Beijing – Visa information (accessed October 2026)
- ICA – Visa requirements for entering Singapore (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – Employment Pass eligibility (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – Apply for an Employment Pass (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – Employment Pass key facts (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – S Pass eligibility (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – ONE Pass eligibility (accessed October 2026)
- Ministry of Manpower – Dependant’s Pass eligibility (accessed October 2026)
- ICA – Student’s Pass for Institutes of Higher Learning (accessed October 2026)
- ICA – Apply for Permanent Residence (accessed October 2026)
- EDB – Changes to Global Investor Programme (March 2023) (accessed October 2026)
