Applying for a visa to Malaysia for Russians in 2021

Do Russians need a visa to Malaysia in 2020?

Visa-free visits to Malaysia are allowed only to those Russians who are traveling here for tourism purposes and planning to return to their homeland in less than 30 days . For long-term residence in the country, study or work, you should apply for a visa through the Malaysian Embassy in Russia or authorized authorities within the Asian country.

Russians also do not need a transit visa to Malaysia (transit is possible with a stamp received at the airport).

Bohey Dulang is one of the many resort islands in Malaysia. Malaysia is summer all year round, exotic jungles, snow-white beaches. The best time to visit is March or early October. Among the huge variety of holiday destinations in Malaysia, Russian travelers prefer the islands. There is untouched nature, beautiful scenery, warm sea and good hotels.

With or without a visa?

Do Russian citizens need a visa to Malaysia? The answer to this question will pleasantly please our compatriots. You can visit Malaysia visa-free. Of course, subject to a number of rules and certain restrictions. Thus, visa-free entry is not possible for:

• admission to study;
• employment;
• other activities related to making a profit.

If a Russian does not meet the conditions for a “visa-free” visa, he has the right to request a paper permitting entry into an Asian power. Visas are provided by the Malaysian Embassy in Russia. You can also apply for the document at another official diplomatic institution. For example, to the Malaysian consulate in Thailand, neighboring West Malaysia. And multi-visas (student, work, commercial and others) are issued only on Malaysian territory after the initial entry on a 1-entry visa.

What is needed for a visa-free visit to the country for up to 30 days

To easily obtain a stamp authorizing a 30-day stay in Malaysia, you need to present several documents to the border service:

• An old-style international passport (or a new one), the validity of which will expire no earlier than 6 months after entering the country.
• Immigration card. Forms can be obtained both on the plane and at the airport.

At the request of the Malaysian Embassy, ​​tourists are required to present at customs a return plane ticket to the Russian Federation or the country of further destination and a bank statement from an account containing more than $500. However, in practice such documents are rarely requested.

Entry stamp to Malaysia. Russian citizens staying in the country for the purpose of tourism for a period of less than 30 days do not need a visa to Malaysia. The validity of the passport at the time of intended departure from the country must be at least 6 months. After arriving at Malaysian checkpoints, when passing through passport control, a corresponding mark is affixed to the passport.

Rules for visa-free entry

To cross the border, the visitor only needs to present the necessary documents. An authorized checkpoint officer will put a stamp in the passport, which will indicate the date of entry and the date of the required exit. You must leave the country no later than the specified period.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Malays pay attention to the fact that the visiting guest has a neat appearance. Also remember that in a Muslim country it is advisable not to attract attention by wearing revealing outfits.

To leave Russia, a traveler should not have any obstacles in the form of a ban on traveling abroad due to unpaid debts. To avoid ending up in an unpleasant situation, it is better to make sure in advance that there is no such taboo.

What documents do you need to have with you?

Citizens arriving in Malaysia must provide:

• a foreign passport, the validity of which expires no earlier than six months at the time of entry;
• return tickets with dates that do not violate the 30-day stay rule;
• cash in the amount of $500 per person (per month of stay).

It is mandatory that Malaysian border guards only ask for a foreign passport. They are extremely rarely interested in the availability of return tickets or funds for accommodation. Meanwhile, these points should not be neglected.

At the checkpoint they are also not interested in whether the visitor has entered into an agreement on health insurance abroad. This document is needed primarily by the tourist himself, and not by border control representatives.

Documents for children

In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, children over 14 years of age must have their own international passport (up to 14 years old - optional). Entry into Malaysia with minor children under 14 years of age is permitted if their details are included in the travel document of at least one of the parents. It is enough to present the child's birth certificate. Children over the specified age are admitted if they have their own foreign passport.

Malacca, Malaysia

You will also need to provide:

• notarized written permission from both parents for the child to travel abroad if he is traveling without them. A minor citizen can travel to Malaysia accompanied by a relative, coach, teacher, educator, etc.;
• a similar permitting document from one parent, when the child is accompanied only by the father or mother (the paper is drawn up accordingly by the remaining parent);
• if necessary, a document that explains the reason for the different surnames of the child and parent (for example, a divorce certificate).

Ways to extend the 30-day stay period

In order to stay in the country for more than a month, it is better to request entry permission in advance from the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow.

However, if the need to stay on Malaysian territory arises during a month-long stay, then the visa can be extended.

To avoid penalties, you need to renew your residence permit in the country using one of the proposed methods.

Contacting the Immigration Office

You must contact the Malaysian Immigration Department at least one week before your entry stamp expires. The decision on the possibility of extension is made by an authorized employee based on the results of an interview with the applicant. If the reason why a guest of the country decided to stay seems unconvincing, the extension will most likely be denied.

If the decision is positive, the cost for the service will be $10. The permitted period of residence is usually extended by another 1 month.

Traveling to a neighboring country

For those who do not want to contact the immigration office, but want to stay in the country for more than a month, there is another way that does not contradict Malay laws - go to a neighboring country, for example, Thailand and return to Malaysia after 2-3 days (travelers have long called this method - visa-run).

In this case, upon entry, the tourist will again receive a residence permit in Malaysia for 30 days. Of course, you shouldn’t do this often, but after 2 exits and entries, suspicions usually do not arise.

Beaches of Malaysia

Types of visas to Malaysia

There are 3 types of visas for Russian citizens in Malaysia: tourist, work, student. A tourist visa is issued at the Malaysian Embassy in the Russian Federation.

Short stay visas

This category of permit includes a tourist visa. The permitted period of stay in the country, if available, is 2 months. An extension of the Visa Without Reference for the same period is provided, but it must be requested from the local immigration office.

Like many Asian countries that have stamp-on-arrival policies, you can stay in Malaysia for more than 30 days using a run-on visa. When the stamp expires, you need to go to the country closest to Malaysia, stay there for at least a day, and then return and get a new stamp for a month. For example, a visa to Phuket, located near Kuala Lumpur, is not needed - you can go there.

Batu Caves is the largest Hindu temple complex in Malaysia.
In front of the entrance there is a huge statue of the god Murugan, the youngest son of Vishnu. This practice has been tested by many tourists, but the following rules should be followed:

• You should not return to Malaysia less than 24 hours after departure. Otherwise, border officers will reveal the deception and refuse to obtain a stamp. You need to convince them that you are traveling to Asian countries and not working for a Malay company without official permission.
• Visa run to Malaysia is available only twice. Do not try to deceive the border guards several times in a row (no one has succeeded in this yet).

A Visa Run is an illegal way to extend your stay in Malaysia. Those who do not want to risk their vacation should contact the Embassy in Moscow and obtain an official Malay visa valid for 2 months.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For Russian tourists it is the main air port to Malaysia. There are no direct flights from Russia here, but you can get there on convenient flights with transfers. To enter Malaysia, an immigration card is filled out at the point of arrival (must be kept until leaving the country).

Long-term visas

Student and work visas are issued in Malaysia, so you will first have to visit the country with a tourist permit or stamp at customs. They are issued for a period from 3 months to 1 year (student) or from 3 to 5 years (worker) with the possibility of extension.

Types of work visas to Malaysia:

• Employment Pass. Issued to foreigners who have entered into a contract with a company in Malaysia for a period of 2 years with a salary of over 5 thousand MYR per year. The candidate must have skills that most local workers do not have.
• Temporary Employment Pass. Issued to foreigners who have entered into an agreement with a Malay company for a period of 2 years with a salary of up to 5 thousand MYR per year. Severe requirements are imposed on candidates: they are required to annually confirm their place of work and notify the department about changes occurring in the professional sphere of life.
• Visitor's Pass (Professional). Issued to qualified foreign specialists working for a company in Malaysia or planning to stay on its territory for more than 12 months in connection with their professional activities.

The latter type of visa can be issued by doctors, researchers, teachers, service experts, technical consultants and independent auditors.

The Crystal Mosque in the city of Kuala Terengganu of the Sultanate of Terengganu is located in the Islamic Heritage Park on Won Man Island. The concrete structure, completely covered with mirror glass, is illuminated in different colors at night.

Visa at the Embassy

For a long holiday in Malaysia exceeding 30 days, you will need a visa. The country's embassy issues two categories of visas:

photo: visa to Malaysia

• Visa without approval (VWTR). Allows you to stay in the state for 2 months with the possibility of extending the period of residence for another 2 months. Issued with a corridor of 90 days, that is, you need to enter Malaysia within 3 months. The period for consideration of the application is up to 3 days.
• Visa with approval (VWR). Provides for a longer processing period at the Embassy, ​​as additional verification of documents is required. Also issued for 2 months and, if necessary, extended for another 4 months. Opens primarily for business visits after providing an invitation from a Malaysian company or a private trip with a sponsor. To obtain a VWR, MYR 2,000 per person is deposited into the Immigration Department account as a deposit.

Regardless of the purpose of the trip, only a single-entry visa is issued. Malaysian legislation provides for the issuance of multiple-entry visas for a period of 3 to 12 months, but they are not issued to Russians. Multiple entry documents for study and work are only available in Malaysia after the initial entry.

Registration procedure

To obtain a tourist visa for 2 months (VWTR), you need to contact the Embassy located both in the Russian Federation and in any other country where there is a Malaysian diplomatic mission. You should take the following documentation with you:

1. International passport with a “reserve” of 6 months.
2. Visa application form (Form IM-47) in two copies. The form must be filled out in Latin for each participant in the trip. Information is entered in all columns, except for section “C” Particulars of sponsor in Malaysia, which refers to the inviting party (sponsor). This is completed for a VWR visa. This form is standard and is suitable for obtaining any type of entry document.
3. Two photographs measuring 3.5x5 cm (pasted into the application form).
4. Original and copy of return ticket. Both a return air ticket to Russia or a third country, and a travel document for a bus, for example to Thailand, are accepted - it is not the type of transport on which the foreigner will leave the country that is important, but the fact of departure itself.
5. Proof of financial well-being (bank statement, traveler's checks).
6. Invitation letter (if available).
7. A document confirming payment of the fee.

For work and study

If a foreigner plans to study or work in Malaysia, then initially he visits the state on a visa-free basis, and while already on its territory, he applies for an entry document of a certain category. Work and student visas are not issued at diplomatic missions; they are opened directly in Malaysia after submitting an employment contract or documentation of admission to an educational institution.

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How to get a visa to Malaysia in 2020

It is easy to apply for a visa to Malaysia on your own. To obtain a tourist entry permit, you should contact the Embassy in Moscow, and for a worker or student, contact the Malaysian immigration service. In the latter case, documents from the employer or educational institution will be required. If they are absent, the permitting paper will be denied.

International Islamic University in Malaysia. The university was founded on May 23, 1983, and from the very beginning the university set itself the task of implementing the concept of “Islamization of knowledge.” Today, 20 thousand people from most countries of the world study there, studying not only Islam, but also other sciences, including the faculties of IT technology and communications, engineering, architecture and landscape design, linguistics and pedagogy, and medicine. Well known in Malaysia for its extensive legal library.

Documents for obtaining a visa

Before visiting the Malaysian Embassy in order to obtain permission for a tourist trip to Kuala Lumpur or another city in the country, you must prepare the following documents:

• International passport.
• Visa application form in two copies.
• Two photos.
• Tourist invitation from a resident of Malaysia (optional).
• Receipt for payment of the consular fee (for an urgent visa).

To apply for a student visa you will need the same set of documents. But you will have to attach to them a certificate of knowledge of the English language, a diploma with a notarized translation into English, an invitation from the university and a letter of admission to the educational institution.

When obtaining a work visa, in addition to the standard package of documents, you will need an invitation from the employer and a contract signed by both parties. You cannot start working until you receive a visa permit.

Student visa to Malaysia. A visa is issued directly in Malaysia after providing documentation of admission to an educational institution. Documents are submitted to the Malaysian Migration Service by universities. A multiple-entry student visa is issued only after the initial entry. You do not need a visa to study courses for up to 30 days.

Applying for a visa at the Embassy

For Russians who plan to stay in Malaysia for more than 30 days, a long-term visa is required. There is an important point here: a long-term tourist visa can be obtained from the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow before your trip.

Student and work permits are issued upon arrival in the country at the Migration Committee. That is, first you open a regular free tourist visa and, within 30 days of your stay in the country, issue a work or student document.

Documents for obtaining a long-term visa

Application form for obtaining a visa permit

To obtain a long-term permit for a period of 30 days or more, you need to prepare the following documents:

• International passport. Its validity period is standard - it should not expire within 6 months.
• Two photographs 35x45 (passport size).
• An invitation from the host in Malaysia - relatives, friends. The invitation must be submitted in writing (printed) indicating the address and contact information of relatives/friends.
• Receipt for payment of the consular fee.
• Completed application form in two copies. Download the application form in PDF.

The questionnaire has a list of standard questions - passport, personal data, as well as questions regarding the data of the receiving party. On the second page there is a signature and date of completion.

You submit the documents yourself to the Malaysian Embassy.

Where to apply for a long-term visa

The Malaysian Embassy is located in one city of the Russian Federation - Moscow.

Address: Mosfilmovskaya street, 50.

Contact phone: (495) 419 9898.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. The embassy works without interruption.

Cost and terms of obtaining a long-term visa

The cost of a long-term tourist visa is $10. Payment is accepted on the day of submission of documents in US dollars. The “pass” will be ready in 14 working days. A tourist visa of this type is issued for a period of 2 to 4 months.

Sample Malaysian visa

Additional requirements for work and student visas

To open this type of “pass” you need to prepare a standard list of documents (including a questionnaire in two copies). Why is it better to apply for a work/student visa in Malaysia?

Because you will need an invitation or a work contract with a stamp, signature, issued on the letterhead of the educational institution or employer. The period for obtaining such visas is 14 days.

A work visa can be issued for a period from 2 months to 5 years (depending on the duration of the contract). The employer can take care of all the paperwork. In this case, you will not need to contact the migration committee. Your task is only to collect documents and submit them to the employer.

Visa processing times

A tourist visa is issued within two weeks from the date of submission of documents. But due to the lack of queues at the Malaysian Embassy, ​​this period is usually reduced to three days.

Work and student visas can be obtained in the same period of time. You must find a job or enroll in an educational institution in advance and wait until the organization or university representative issues an invitation. The employer is responsible for obtaining a work visa: it is he who pays the consular fee and submits documents to the Malaysian Foreign Office.

Houses on the shore of a lake in the state of Perak in Malaysia. The state of Perak is named for the silvery color of the tin-rich ore for which it is famous.

Cost of visa application

When applying to the country's Embassy located on the territory of the Russian Federation, a visa for Russians is issued free of charge. If you request urgent processing, which lasts 3 days, you will have to pay $10.

The service for extending the validity of a tourist entry document at the Malaysian Immigration Office costs $10. Extending the validity of a stamp issued upon arrival costs the same.

Fees for a Malaysian visa for study purposes range from $50-$120. The employer should find out how much a work visa to Malaysia costs for Russians, since he takes on all the costs and worries of obtaining it.

Malaysian ringgit. It is the national currency of Malaysia. Currency exchange is carried out at public and private exchange offices at the airport, banks, shopping centers, and hotels. In large resort areas you can also pay in US dollars. Ringgit means “jagged,” a name derived from the split-edged Spanish silver dollars that were common in the region during colonial times.

Ways to extend your stay in Malaysia through the immigration office

Both the 30-day stamp and the tourist visa can be extended at the Malaysian Immigration Office. A visa fee of $10 is charged for the service. You must have a passport and return tickets with you (although they are rarely asked to present the latter).

The validity period of a Visa Without Reference is extended for almost everyone, but when extending a holiday based on a stamp, immigration officers may have questions, which, by the way, are asked in English. It is not necessary to answer each of them; it is enough to memorize one phrase explaining the purpose of the delay in Malaysia (it is advisable to emphasize purely tourist intentions).

If you overstay your visa to Malaysia and continue to stay in the country, the authorities will decide on deportation and charge a fine for every day of illegal stay in the state.

Kuala Lumpur is the modern capital of Malaysia. The photo shows the Petronas Towers skyscraper - twin towers made of glass and steel 451 meters high. There is a covered passage between the buildings, on which there are observation platforms.

Study in Malaysia

One way to stay in Malaysia for a long time is to enroll in a local university or enroll in language courses. A student visa to Malaysia is issued only within the country. Therefore, you first need to fly here with a 30-day stamp or a tourist visa, and on the spot complete all the formalities to become a student.

The easiest way is to enroll in language courses. To do this, you will need a minimum package of documents:

• Valid foreign passport;
• A completed application form;
• Photos (requirements for photos must be clarified on site);
• Invitation from an educational institution;
• Return tickets.

While traveling around Malaysia you will have the opportunity to try a variety of Asian cuisine.

With a university, everything is a little more complicated: educational documents and certificates confirming knowledge of the English language will be added to this list. In addition, it is important to know that:

• The certificate or diploma must be accompanied by a notarized translation into English;
• International IELTS or TOEFL certificates are accepted.

According to Malaysian law, a study visa can be obtained for a period of 3 months to one year. When enrolling in language courses, you are usually issued a visa for six months, which can then be extended.

Permit to enter Malaysia with children

The Kingdom of Malaysia does not impose any restrictions on travelers with children. They do not require a separate package of documents. All you need is the child’s birth certificate and information about him in the parent’s passport.

But when crossing the border of the Russian Federation, additional paper may be required - permission for the child to leave, certified by a notary. It will be needed in the following cases:

• if a child leaves the country with one of the parents, permission from the second is required.
• if a minor is traveling with third parties, written consent to travel is required from both parents.

Children over 16 years of age submit a full package of visa documents: their own passport, two photographs and a completed visa application form in duplicate.

Children on Malaysian Independence Day. The Federation of Malaysia officially gained independence from British colonization on 31 August 1957. Since then, a national holiday has traditionally been celebrated on this day: cultural programs are held, schoolchildren prepare performances.

Entry with children

Many tourists are interested in whether they need a visa to Malaysia when traveling with minor children. Local authorities have not introduced any special restrictions, but parents should still know the main rules for entry with children.

If the child is not yet 14 years old , then all his data must be entered in the accompanying person’s passport. And you must have a birth certificate.

Children over 14 years old need to draw up their own documents.

Parents should also take into account the rules for transporting minors outside the Russian Federation. If the child travels with his parents, there are no problems.

In the case when only one of them accompanies him, the second parent is obliged to issue a notarized consent for the export.

Or the mother and father draw up such a document together if a young child is traveling with a third party.

Refusal to enter Malaysia

Refusal to obtain a visa to Malaysia is a rare occurrence. But some tourists may be denied entry into the country. These include:

• Suspicious looking citizens.
• Women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
• Persons transporting prohibited goods and items.
• Foreigners wearing clothes with quotes from the Koran.
• Persons who provided the Embassy or the migration service with incorrect information about themselves.

If entry or a visa is denied due to incorrectly completed documents, correct the errors and resubmit them. In the case where the refusal is justified by the presence of unpaid fines, then pay them and the problem will be solved.

Iron Mosque in Putrajaya. Putrajaya is one of the most unusual cities in Malaysia. The uniqueness of the city is that there are no people there. This is an artificially created city that is intended for Malaysian officials. All state enterprises are located here and the parliament sits. The Iron Mosque uses “architectural chicken wire,” a thin glass that creates the illusion of a white mosque from a distance. There is a religious inscription of verses on the wall and the wall is designed so that no light is reflected, creating the illusion that the verses are floating through the air.

Subtleties of filling out a migration card

A single-entry visa to Malaysia in the form of a stamp for 30 days is affixed after presenting a foreign passport to a border service officer and a migration card filled out on the plane or at the airport - a small questionnaire containing information about the tourist. Unlike maps of other visa-free countries, the Malaysian one contains a larger number of questions. But some of them can be answered by checking the appropriate box, so completing it is not particularly difficult.

When filling out the migration card, you must indicate the following:

• FULL NAME.
• Citizenship.
• Passport details.
• Flight number.
• Floor.
• Nationality.
• Date and place of birth.
• Purpose of visiting the state.
• Hotel address.
• Address in the Russian Federation.
• Occupation.
• Do you have any serious illnesses?
• Have you previously visited American or African countries?

The answers to most questions can be copied from your passport. But some points may not be understood by Russian citizens, so we will consider them in more detail.

Old city of Malacca in Malaysia. The bulk of the population has Chinese roots. There are a huge number of museums, temples, fortresses and churches. The entire historical center of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the Occupation column, you need to select the most suitable type of professional activity. Possible answers:

• Technical/Professional – technical/industrial worker or specialist.
• Administration/Management – ​​administrator/manager.
• Clerical/Sales – office worker/salesperson.
• Retired/Student – ​​pensioner/student.
• Others – different.
• Housewife - housewife.

The necessary point must be emphasized.

In the Purpose of visit column, you need to check the “holiday” (vacation) or “transit” box. If you are planning a long visit to the state, then the following answers are suitable:

• Business - business.
• Health – treatment.
• Education - study.
• Employment - work.

The location of the hotel does not need to be included in the migration card; it is enough to indicate any Malaysian address existing in Kuala Lumpur or another city in Malaysia.

Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang Island is the largest architectural complex with more than a dozen buildings. There are 10,000 Buddha statues made of alabaster and bronze.

Malaysia Migration Card

Sample of filling out a migration card

When crossing the border, a migration card in English is filled out. Some airports offer to issue this document on board the aircraft. But it is also possible upon arrival in the country.

The migration card contains data from the international passport, as well as their profession and reason for the trip. If border crossing is expected at land checkpoints, this document may not be required.

Sample of filling out a migration card (2968 Downloads)

Features of border control

Border control in the country is quite loyal. However, there are times when foreigners are not allowed through Malaysian customs. To avoid joining their ranks, you should not take with you:

• goods purchased during a trip to Israel;
• Israeli banknotes;
• clothing or other items with quotes from the Koran;
• more than 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of any alcohol;
• more than 100 g of gold;
• cosmetics over $65;
• souvenirs over $65;
• drugs and weapons;
• objects with erotic images.

After presenting the required documents and checking their luggage, tourists are fingerprinted. There is no need to get your hands dirty: the procedure is carried out using a digital scanner.

Perlis National Park contains many natural sites, including lakes Tasik Melati and Tima Taso.

Malaysia Customs Regulations

There are a number of restrictions imposed by Malaysian customs on exported and imported items.

The state is prohibited from importing:

• any objects or materials that threaten the life and health of people;
• items and goods from Israel;
• Israeli banknotes;
• clothing and accessories containing quotes from the Koran.

You can take with you across the border:

• No more than 1 liter of alcohol and 200 cigarettes;
• perfumes and cosmetics totaling no more than $65;
• no more than 100 g of gold;
• souvenirs costing no more than $65.

It is prohibited to export from Malaysia:

• birds and animals;
• live plants;
• Hevea seeds;
• gold weighing more than 100 g;
• antiques.

Permitted for export:

• souvenir products;
• cash not to exceed $1,600;
• goods purchased for personal use.

Requirements for appearance when crossing the border

Malays are strict about the appearance of tourists. Visa legislation does not prohibit moving around the country in any clothing, but when crossing the border it is better to look neat. Do not wear short dresses, shorts or T-shirts with quotes from the Koran.

Malaysia is one of the few high-tech Asian countries that have preserved ancient cultural traditions and nature. There are few Russians in this state, but almost every local resident speaks perfect English, which makes this area attractive to tourists.

Tropical island in Malaysia. For lovers of wild holidays, far from people and civilization, there is Pangor Island in the west of the country, washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. There are few tourists here and no one will disturb you for many days or even weeks. The island has dozens of caves, cliffs, waterfalls and other opportunities to have a good time.

Another undoubted advantage of Malaysia is that a visa to Kuala Lumpur for Russians in 2021 can be issued on the spot - right at the airport or at the land border. Those who plan to stay in the Asian country for more than 30 days can apply for a longer-term visa in Moscow without paying consular fees.

However, it should be remembered that violation of the rules of stay in the state is punishable by a fine of $10 for each day of delay. If such a violation is detected repeatedly, the tourist will be prohibited from entering the country.

Transit visa to Singapore - how to travel to Singapore without a visa

It is impossible to enter Singapore without a visa, and there is no such thing as visa-free entry into Singapore. Another thing is that by visa-free, many people mean entry with a transit visa, which you don’t need to obtain in advance, and you don’t have to pay money for it either, you just put a stamp on the border - it’s very simple! But there are several conditions that must be met in order for the coveted transit visa to Singapore to appear in your passport. We will look at them in more detail in this article.

Please note that in October 2021, a new rule for transit travelers was introduced. According to it, transit through Singapore between the cities of China, Hong Kong and Macau is prohibited. Accordingly, if you are flying FROM or TO China (Hong Kong, Macau) with a transfer in Singapore, then to enter the city you must obtain an electronic visa in advance.

How and where is a Singapore transit visa issued?

So, how long can you stay in Singapore without a visa? The answer is 96 hours. That is, a transit visa for Russians to Singapore is issued for 4 whole days, which is usually enough to see all the main attractions, because... The country is quite small.

You can obtain the right to transit entry into the country to stay in it for up to 96 hours only at Changi Airport. I know the past experience of travelers who sought a transit visa at land borders - when crossing from Malaysia, for example, but at present this shop is completely closed and relying on fortune would be too rash a decision.

To enter Singapore without a visa, only with a free stamp, your documents must meet the following requirements:

1. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country

2. You will need to present air tickets to a third country

That is, you cannot fly to Singapore from Phuket and return back to Thailand, even to Bangkok, for example. You can fly from Russia to Bali, or from India to Australia via Singapore - and this will be a normal transit.

It is believed that, among other things, transit should also be geographically logical. For example, if a person arrived in Singapore from Hong Kong and then planned to fly to Russia, there are many examples when such a passenger was not allowed into the country. Although in theory the rule of the first and third country is observed, there is no logic in such movements.

From the point of view of the visa officer, in this way the person specifically came to Singapore and did not make a transit; accordingly, he has no right to a transit visa. He will, of course, be able to enter Singapore, but only by obtaining a paid e-visa in advance.

Moreover, your tickets, as well as a visa to a third country (if required), will be checked not only by the officer at the Singapore airport, but also by the employees of the airline you are flying to Singapore at the check-in counters when you board.

If you cannot confirm with them your onward route from Singapore, there is a high probability that you will not even be put on a flight to Singapore. The fact is that if there are problems at the Singapore border, the airline is obliged to send you back home at its own expense. And she, as you understand, does not need such overlays at all. Therefore, having air tickets to a third country in hand is a prerequisite.

There are a huge number of budget flights from Singapore to a variety of countries. I really like to plan my trips around Asia through Singapore, because... Airfare prices are sometimes incredibly affordable.

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And to find discounted tickets to Singapore itself, I usually check this page.

3. You must have a hotel booked for all days of transit - the third condition

If you are in Singapore for only a few hours and without an overnight stay, then they usually do not ask for a hotel reservation. If, based on your flight to a third country, it is clear that you clearly cannot do without a hotel - you need to spend the night - then the visa officer may have complaints in the absence of a reservation and will have an excellent reason to prohibit entry into Singapore without a visa.

To decide which area of ​​Singapore is the most comfortable to live in, but not too expensive, you can read my article 5 Singapore neighborhoods with the best housing.

As a rule, the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel with its luxurious rooftop pool is especially popular among tourists from all over the world. The room price here is not the cheapest, but it is definitely worth it.

By the way, many people book this hotel for at least one day to enjoy a swim in the pool with a gorgeous view of the city, and for the remaining days of the trip they look for cheaper accommodation. For example, before I book a room, I always check the best deals on HotelLook, which is aware of all the current hotel discounts. Sometimes the benefit reaches 50%!

All discounts on Singapore hotels

After presenting all the basic documents, your passport will be stamped allowing you to stay in Singapore for 96 hours. The process is not complicated and any problems upon entry are quite rare.

It is important to note that you do not need insurance to enter this country. But earlier in my article, I wrote in detail why we never travel to Singapore without insurance, and how we buy a policy in just a few clicks via the Internet.

How is 96 hours of transit calculated?

On the one hand, the answer to this question is very simple - addition) On the other hand, each country has its own nuances, so we will dwell on this point in more detail.

How we save on accommodation while on vacation

Using the RoomGuru service, which shows special offers with discounts
on hotels, and also
helps you find the best price
per night, comparing the cost in all booking systems at once. The benefit sometimes reaches 2-3 thousand rubles per day.

I once saw a debate about the fact that the countdown time starts at 00:00, i.e. from midnight on the date you arrived. Let's say, if you arrive at noon on the 3rd, then the countdown will start from midnight, so you will have to take off earlier. But this is not correct information, and my experience and the experience of other travelers tells a different story.

On a Singapore transit visa, 96 hours are counted from the moment your flight arrives . Despite the fact that the hours are not entered on the stamp itself - only the date will be there, this data is still stored in the database, and upon departure the officer will see even one extra hour spent in Singapore illegally. That is, if you arrive in the country on the 19th at noon, then you need to fly out on the 23rd before noon.

What does a transit visa to Singapore look like?

A Singapore transit visa is a simple stamp that indicates your arrival date. Upon departure, a second stamp is placed next to it, confirming departure from the country.

What to see in Singapore during transit

In fact, in the given time you can explore a fairly large part of the country, because... The island is quite small.

For a short one-day transit, I recommend the free Singapore Bus Tour to see the city from the top of a double-decker bus. Or take a walk along Marina Bay with magnificent views and free colorful evening shows.

If you have more time, be sure to devote one of your days to the entertainment island of Sentosa, where the number of attractions and opportunities to have fun is simply off the charts.

Also, spend at least half a day, preferably in the morning, while it’s not particularly hot, on one of any Singapore beaches. The sea here is warm and calm, the beaches are well-groomed and free, only the view of hundreds of ships on the horizon distracts a little from the tropical idyll.

Yes, you can’t enter Singapore without a visa, but it’s not that bad. After all, if you correctly prepare the documents listed above, the number of which is minimal, then you can easily get a stamp at the border allowing you to stay in the country for 4 whole days. This is a great chance to see all the city's most stunning sights. And most importantly, on the way back you can again get permission for transit, because The number of transit entries into Singapore is unlimited.