Singaporean passports that need an ETA or ESTA
One thing I cannot stop bragging about to my non-Singaporean friends is my Singaporean passport, and I’m sure many of you can relate. Our “Little Red Book” has consistently been named the most powerful passport in the world for multiple years. This means that we can travel to almost every country without the need for a visa.
However, some countries still require all tourists to apply for a pre-arrival document to cross their borders, usually in the form of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). But unlike a visa, these authorisations are usually approved instantly – or at the most, 72 hours – and cost way, way less. If you’re travelling to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Thailand anytime soon, here’s what you need to know about their pre-arrival documents.
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USA
ESTA, stay up to 90 days
Disneyland. Hollywood. Times Square. Yellowstone National Park. The USA has an abundance of things to do, places to eat, and sights to see, whether you’re visiting the East or West Coast. And as a tourist with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), you can stay in the country up to 90 days; that’s 3 months you can spend on a road trip from New York to Los Angeles.
The ESTA is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires, and costs USD21 (~S$27.40). The application itself is quite lengthy as it not only requires you to input your personal information, but also your parents names, employment details, and a point of contact within the United States.
It’s also best to apply for the ESTA at least 72 hours before you head to the airport, as it can take up to that amount of time for your application to be approved.
Stay: 90 days or less
Cost: USD21 (~S$27.40)
Validity: 2 years, or until passport expires
Processing time: 72 hours
Canada
eTA, stay up to 6 months at a time
Image credit: Bruno Soares
Just north of the USA is Canada. From the iconic Banff and Jasper National Parks to the roar of the Niagara Falls and the diverse cultural scenes, the country is the perfect place for nature lovers and outdoorsy travellers to visit.
While it is a tad far to get to from Singapore – there is a 16-hour direct flight by way of Air Canada – you can make each trip more worthwhile as the Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) lets you stay in the country for up to 6 months at a time. It also costs only CAD7 (~S$6.50) and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires. Plus, most applications are approved in minutes.
Pro tip: Download the ArriveCAN app to do your customs declaration before you land, which lets you skip ahead after landing in Canada.
Stay: Up to 6 months at a time
Cost: CAD7 (~S$6.50)
Validity: Up to 5 years, or until passport expires
Processing time: Within minutes
Australia
ETA, stay up to 3 months
Whether you’re flying into Gold Coast for its sandy beaches or checking off cafes in Melbourne, Australia offers something for every type of wanderluster, and all it takes is just a short 9-hour flight or less. While Singaporeans don’t need a visa to get in, visitors will still need to apply for the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
The ETA lets you stay in Australia for up to 3 months at a time, and each ETA is valid for only 12 months or until your passport expires. It costs only AUD20 (~S$16.70) and approval is usually granted almost immediately, but the caveat is that it can only be applied through the official Australian ETA app (Apple App Store | Google Play Store) on your smartphone.
Stay: Up to 3 months
Cost: AUD20 (~S$16.70)
Validity: 12 months, or until passport expires
Processing time: Almost immediately
New Zealand
NZeTA, stay up to 3 months
Image credit: Andres Iga
If seeing how the Hobbits live in Hobbiton is on your bucket list, then a trip to New Zealand is in order. But as you pack while having a LOTR marathon, make sure to apply for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
Each NZeTA allows you to stay in the country for up to 3 months, and it’s valid for 2 years. It costs NZD17 (~S$13) and you have to apply via the NZeTA app (Apple App Store | Google Play Store). Approvals can take up to 72 hours, so we’d recommend applying for the NZeTA a few days before your trip, just in case.
Unfortunately, all Singaporean visitors to New Zealand on the NZeTA also have to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD100 (~S$76.90), making this one of the more expensive pre-arrival documents. But you can take heed that the levy will go towards maintaining the raw beauty of the country.
Stay: Up to 3 months
Cost: NZD17 (~S$13) for NZeTA, NZD100 (~$76.88) for IVL
Validity: 2 years, or until passport expires
Processing time: 72 hours
United Kingdom
ETA, stay up to 6 months
This is a new one. All Singaporean visitors to the United Kingdom will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the country from 8th January 2025 onwards, so this might be something foreign if you haven’t been to Harry Potter’s motherland this year yet.
Each ETA will cost only £16 (~S$27.50) to apply for, and applications are usually approved within 3 working days. ETA holders can also stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time, and it’s valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Singaporean passport holders can also take advantage of the eGates for quicker immigration into the UK.
Stay: Up to 6 months
Cost: £16 (~S$27.50)
Validity: 2 years, or until passport expires
Processing time: Within 3 working days
Thailand
TDAC, stay up to 90 days
Thailand is basically a second home to many Singaporeans, and every long weekend the airport will see throngs of tourists jetting to the Land of Smiles for a quick getaway. While Singapore passport holders don’t need a visa for a holiday in Thailand, the country has recently introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) that all foreign travellers have to complete before entering.
The TDAC is essentially the new and improved format of the traditional paper arrival card. Best of all, it’s free to complete, and you’ll receive a QR code to show the immigration officers upon arrival. Do note that the TDAC is valid for a single entry only and allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. It also can take up to 3 working days to process, so plan accordingly and timely.
Stay: Up to 90 days
Cost: Free
Validity: Single entry
Processing time: Within 3 working days
Thailand Digital Arrival Card website
Other countries that require an ETA or ESTA
Besides these 6 popular destinations, there are a few others where pre-arrival authorisations are required, even if no visa is needed. These include:
- Kenya: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) required for all visitors
- Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands: Covered under the US ESTA
Countries that need ETAs or ESTAs for Singaporean passports
While our Singapore passport opens plenty of doors around the world, it’s always worth checking the fine print before you fly. Pre-arrival documents like the ESTA and ETA aren’t as leychey as full visa applications, but skipping them can still get you denied at boarding or entry at the border.
Thankfully, most of these authorisations are affordable and easy to fill up. So as long as you do your homework and set aside a bit of time while planning your itinerary, you’ll be jet-setting smoothly to your vacation in no time.
Read other travel planning articles:
- Countries with digital nomad visas
- Countries that Singaporeans need a visa to enter
- How to use Bali Airport’s autogates
Cover image credit: Tourism NZ, Evgeny Tchbotarev