Schengen Visa Guide For Singapore Passport Holders

A Schengen visa for Singapore passport holders is not required when traveling to Schengen countries in Europe. This is because the country has a visa-free arrangement with Schengen and EU countries. In addition to these, Singapore passport holders do not require a visa to travel to a total of 189 countries in the world. These not only include the four largest economies in the world (USA, EU, China, and India) but also all countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This makes the country the best (together with Japan) in the world in terms of travel freedom.

Schengen Visa Waiver for Singapore Citizens

The history of the Schengen visa dates back to 1985. This is when the Schengen agreement that formed the Schengen visa territory was signed. The signing was done in a small town called Schengen in Luxembourg. Following this, 26 European countries agreed to do away with travel restrictions for their citizens. Additionally, the concept of a Schengen visa was created. This means that to visit all 26 countries, visitors only need one visa. This is what is called a Schengen visa. It allows 90 days of entry into the Schengen territory within a period of 180 days. This visa is issued for purposes of visiting, business, or transiting. It does not allow residence or engaging in employment or trading.

Over time, some countries have signed bilateral agreements making it possible for their citizens to enter Schengen visa-free. Among these countries include Singapore. In this way, Singapore citizens do not require a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen area. Singaporeans need only a valid Singapore passport to travel to the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days.  The following countries are the current signatories to the Schengen Agreement;

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Singapore?

To apply for a Schengen visa in Singapore, you need to be a legal resident in the country. As noted, you do not need a Schengen visa if you are a Singaporean citizen. Additionally, you do not need a Schengen visa if you are a Singapore resident but a citizen of a Schengen country. Once you have decided to apply for it, you should follow the following guidelines;

• If you have only one Schengen country of destination, go to that country’s embassy to apply for the visa.
• If you have more than one country of destination, go to the embassy of the country of your main intended stay.
• If you cannot decide on the country of your main stay, go to the embassy of the country you intend to enter first.

Some Schengen countries have a limited presence in Singapore. For the purposes of Schengen visa applications in Singapore, here is what you need to know;

• Applications for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary are processed by the Hungarian embassy.
• Slovenia and Spain applications are handled by the Spanish embassy.
• Austria, Greece, and France applications are processed by the French embassy.
• Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark applications are handled by the Danish embassy.
• Portugal and Germany’s applications are processed by the German embassy.
• Malta and Italy applications are handled by the Italian embassy.

Types of Visa for Singapore Residents

Here are the different types of visas you can apply for in Singapore;

These types of visas can be issued as single-entry visas (that allows only one entry), double-entry visas (that allows two entries), or multiple-entry visa (that allows many entries). Although a Singapore citizen is not obligated to have a Schengen visa, it is incumbent upon him to observe the 90-day rule. You should not be in the Schengen territory for more than 90 days uninterrupted.

Statistics for Schengen Visa for Singapore Residents

The following graph shows the frequency of Schengen visa issuance in Singapore. The low number of applicants is explained by the fact that Singapore passport holders do not need to apply for a visa.

Requirements for Schengen Visa for Singapore Residents

Singapore residents must prepare well for the Schengen visa application process. Additionally, Singapore citizens must ensure that their travel passports are valid before leaving the country. These are the requirements for both Singapore citizens and residents;

1. Valid Singapore travel passport. This is needed for Singapore citizens. If you are not a citizen of Singapore (you do not have a Singapore passport) you need to submit a valid Singapore residence permit, employment pass, or work permit and your passport. A resident is also required to submit a re-entry permit (that should be valid for at least 90 days after your intended date of coming back). The passport must be valid for at least three months past your intended date of coming back to Singapore. It must also have two blank pages at least.

In addition to the above, Singapore residents and non-citizens should provide the following documents during the visa application process;

• Schengen visa application form (this is standardized for all Schengen countries and is usually straightforward when it comes to filling in the details). You should download, fill, sign, and put the date. Every applicant should have theirs. Additionally, children applicants should have the application forms signed by their parents or guardians.
• Recent passport photos. These photos should be glued to the provided area on the visa application form. The passports should have been taken within the last three months, showing the face, forehead hairline, and two ears. The photos should be of high quality, not edited, and taken on a clear background.
• Covering letter providing all the details of your travel.
• Proof of travel funds. This should be in the form of three-month bank statements, credit card statements, foreign exchange bought, paying slips, and any other document showing the ability to finance your travel. All these should be certified.
• Travel insurance for a visa: This should cover medical expenses, repatriations, emergencies, and all other risks involved in your travel. The minimum for this should be 30,000 Euros (48,172 Singapore dollars).

• Flight reservation for Schengen visa: This should include your details including your name, your departure and exit dates, air flight numbers, and countries of destination. It should also show the dates when you intend to come back to Singapore. Get your flight reservation by filling out this flight reservation form.

• Proof of accommodation for a visa: Accommodation for this purpose should cover all the days that you intend to be in the Schengen territory. You do not need to have the accommodation pre-paid.

• Proof of payment of visa application fees (this is 60 Euros or its equivalent in local currency- Singapore Dollars).

In case you are not returning to Singapore after your Schengen travel, you should indicate this and provide documentation for your reasons. Additionally, you should make your application earlier than normal to give the processing office enough time to ascertain your reasons.

Additional Requirements for Singapore Legal Residents

Depending on your travel circumstance, you may need to provide additional documents. These may include the following;

 Schengen Visa Fees for Singapore Residents

Schengen visa applicants in Singapore are required to pay the full fees payable for the visa application. Once you have done the payment, you should submit the proof of payment receipts) together with the other visa application documents. The following table shows the current applicable Schengen visa application fees in Singapore;

It should be noted that the right kind of medical insurance for a visa is required. While some credit cards claim to come with some kind of travel insurance, this may not meet the requirements envisioned in the visa application. It is also good to understand that hotel bookings for visas must not be paid in advance. The same case applies to Flight itineraries for visas. This is why Schengen Flight Reservation Visa should help you with visa documentation.