Immigrate to Singapore from Canada: Visas and Procedure

In most cases, foreigners must obtain a visa in order to move to Singapore. However, visa exemptions do apply, in the case of short-term visits. A short-term visit is defined as a stay of maximum 30 days or 90 days, depending on the nationality of the foreigner (for persons who immigrate to Singapore from Canada, a short visit is one with a duration of maximum 30 days).

In the case of those who will immigrate to Singapore from Canada, visa exemptions are available, but just in specific situations. You can find out more on this topic from our lawyer in Singapore.

What are the immigration policies for short visits in Singapore?

The immigration policies applied by the Singaporean authorities regarding short visits state that Canadian citizens do not have to obtain a visa. In the case of Canadian nationals, a short visit is defined as a stay in this country of maximum 30 days.

Quick Facts
Immigration requirements for short stays	Canadian nationals can arrive to Singapore visa-free for short-term stays.
Immigration requirements for long stays	For long-term stays, visa obligations will arise.
Visa exemptions for Canadian nationals	Visa exemptions are granted for visits of up to 30 days.
Reasons of arrival for which visa exemptions are granted	Tourism
Visa renewal	Foreigners who immigrate to Singapore from Canada can renew their visas and, in some cases, obtain a visa extension.
Obligation to apply for a residence permit	It is mandatory to apply for a residence permit if the foreigner arrives here for a period longer than 90 days.
Reasons for which Canadians can relocate to Singapore for long stays	Individuals can immigrate to Singapore from Canada for business, employment, study, family reunification.
Visa designed for Canadian nationals	Not applicable
Visa processing fees	$30
Residency permit fees (yes/no)	Yes
Where to apply for a Singapore residence permit	Immigration &Checkpoints Authority.
Requirements to become a Singapore permanent resident	Individuals can immigrate to Singapore from Canada for permanent residency in the following cases: – the foreigner is a spouse of a Singapore citizen/permanent resident (PR); – he/she is the unmarried child of Singapore citizen/PR; – he/she is the aged parent of a Singapore citizen; – he/she holds an S Pass or an Employment Pass; – he/she is a foreign investor; – he/she is a student who passed a national exam.
Minimum residency for citizenship	2 years of permanent residency
Ways to acquire citizenship in Singapore	One can become a citizen through permanent residency, by marriage to a Singaporean national or through his or her close family ties to a Singapore citizen (as a parent or child).
Fee for citizenship formalities	$70

For other nationals, such as the European Union citizens, a short-term stay is extended to 90 days. In order to move to Singapore from Canada on a short-term basis, Canadian nationals must complete an online registration, namely the free Singapore Electronic Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card).

This document is not a visa; it is a mandatory online arrival declaration. It is compulsory for all Canadians to have a valid Electronic Arrival Card when they arrive to Singapore for a period of maximum 30 days.

How can Canadians obtain the Singapore Electronic Arrival Card?

Please mind that visa-free entry is granted to Canadians as long as the purpose of stay is related to any of 2 following: 1) arriving in Singapore for tourism purposes, 2) arriving for business purposes.

In other words, if a Canadian wants to relocate to Singapore for a short visit that has any other purpose, other immigration formalities have to be addressed; for these, you can rely on our team of lawyers in Singapore. When a person will relocate to Singapore from Canada, the following have to be known:

the Electronic Arrival Card is free of charge and is not subject to any processing period;
it is also mandatory to submit the Card within the 3 days before arrival in Singapore (including the day of arrival);
the Card grants no right of entry by itself; the visit pass (usually up to 30 days for Canadians) is issued at the checkpoint;
the entry is granted if the Canadian citizen has a valid passport, that is valid for at least 6 months since the entry in Singapore;
in some cases, Canadians can obtain an extension of stay for an additional 30 days, according to the Government of Canada.

What information should be provided to obtain the Electronic Arrival Card?

Canadians who will move to Singapore from Canada by applying for the Electronic Arrival Card must provide information on 3 main topics: 1) the passport data, 2) information regarding the travel in Singapore, and 3) personal details.

For the 1st category, applicants must present the passport number and passport expiry date. For the 2nd, it is necessary to present details about the accommodation arrangements, the date of arrival and the means of transportation.

For the 3rd, the following are required: 1) the name and surname, 2) the gender, 3) the date of birth, 4) the place of birth, 5) the nationality, 6) telephone number, 7) e-mail address. Please mind that additional requirements may also be imposed. They are not related to immigration matters, but rather to health and safety measures.

What are the visa options for employment in Singapore?

Many foreigners arrive to Singapore for employment purposes. Luckily, individuals initiating the process of immigration to Singapore for work opportunities can choose from a variety of visas, designed for different work capabilities and experience. Professionals and highly skilled foreigners can apply for one of the following:

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (for talent in arts, culture, sports, business);
the Personalized Employment Pass (for foreign professionals or for individuals who are already in Singapore under an Employment Pass);
the EntrePass (for individuals who want to arrive here for business purposes);
the Employment Pass (the visa is available for persons who can earn a salary of minimum S$5,600 per month (S$6,200 in financial services, higher for older candidates)).

It must be noted that these visas can offer the right to permanent residency in Singapore, given that they are immigration documents issued for highly skilled individuals. Therefore, persons who want to relocate to Singapore from Canada as highly skilled employees can obtain more benefits compared to those of other categories of foreign workers.

For skilled and semi-skilled employment, Canadians should observe the requirements for the S Pass. Our lawyers in Singapore can offer legal advice on the visa application process. Our attorneys invite you to read our infographic presenting the main immigration requirements for Canadians in Singapore:

Family reunification and employment in Singapore

The legislation on immigration to Singapore provides a family reunification visa stream, which is created for the close family members of foreigners who live long-term in this country or who are Singaporean nationals/permanent residents.

In general, close family members refer to spouses, children (or stepchildren) and parents of the above-mentioned individuals. These foreigners, Canadians included, can arrive here under specific visas, some of which offer them the possibility of working in this country. According to the Ministry of Manpower, the following visas can be obtained for this purpose:

Dependent’s Pass;
Long-Term Visit Pass;
Pre-Approved Letter of Consent;
Letter of Consent for Dependent’s Pass holders who have a business in Singapore.

Our immigration lawyers in Singapore can assist in the process of applying for any of the immigration documents mentioned earlier. Persons who immigrate to Singapore from Canada can rely on us for professional assistance regardless of the type of visas of interest. We can also offer professional legal counselling for Canadians who plan to relocate here for investments.

If you want to find out more regulations concerning long-term procedures to immigrate to Singapore from Canada, please contact our Singapore law firm. Our team can also help you set up an LLP in Singapore.