Quick answer: A Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) is the pass ICA gives visitors at the checkpoint, usually for 30 or 90 days depending on nationality and ICA’s assessment on the day. To stay longer you apply for an extension online only, and only when your pass has 14 days or less of validity left. The fee is S$40 once your stay reaches 90 days from entry, and again for each further 90-day block. ICA takes about 5 working days to process, and the extension is only granted once you pay. Overstaying is an immigration offence, so if the extension is refused you have to leave.
Most people searching for a Singapore visa extension are in one of two situations: a parent visiting family whose 30 days went quickly, or someone whose plans changed mid-trip. The rules are simple enough, but the timing catches people out, because you cannot apply early.
This guide covers how long a visit pass lasts, how to extend it, and the point at which you should stop extending and apply for a proper long-term pass instead. If you are already at that point, our LTVP application service handles it.
What a Short-Term Visit Pass is
The STVP is the pass issued when you clear immigration as a visitor. It is not a visa. A visa, where your nationality requires one, gets you to the checkpoint. The STVP is what determines how long you may stay after you arrive.
| Visa | Short-Term Visit Pass | |
| What it does | Lets you travel to a Singapore checkpoint | Lets you stay in Singapore for a set period |
| Who needs it | Only visa-required nationalities | Every visitor |
| Issued by | ICA, before travel | ICA officer at the checkpoint |
| Typical duration | Valid for travel within a set window | 30 or 90 days, at ICA’s discretion |
Check your own end date. The stamp or e-pass you receive states the last day of your permitted stay. ICA also has an online tool to check when your stay ends. Do not assume you have 30 days by default.
Before you arrive
| Requirement | Detail |
| Passport | At least 6 months’ validity |
| SG Arrival Card | Submit it before arrival. You will need the Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) number later if you extend |
| Visa | Required for some nationalities, obtained before travel |
| Onward travel | Confirmed return or onward ticket |
| Funds and accommodation | Enough to support your stay |
Extending your stay: the rules that matter
| Rule | Detail |
| Where to apply | Online through ICA’s extension e-Service only. Walk-in applications are not accepted |
| When to apply | Only when your STVP has 14 days or less remaining. Applying earlier is not possible |
| Fee | S$40 if the extension takes your stay to 90 days or more from the date of entry, and for every further block of 90 days |
| Visa fee | An additional S$30 may apply for visa-required nationalities |
| Payment | The extension is granted only when payment is made. If you do not pay in time, the application is withdrawn |
| Processing | About 5 working days, excluding weekends and public holidays |
| Length granted | At ICA’s discretion, based on your circumstances and your ties in Singapore |
Documents you will need
- A scan of your travel document, personal particulars page
- The D/E number from your SG Arrival Card
- Supporting documents for your reason, for example proof of the family relationship you are visiting, or medical documentation where the stay is for treatment
How to apply, step by step
- Check the end date of your current stay.
- Wait until you are inside the 14-day window.
- Prepare your passport scan, D/E number and supporting documents.
- Submit the application on ICA’s e-Service.
- Pay when prompted. Cards, internet direct debit and PayNow are accepted.
- Allow about 5 working days, and do not book flights on the assumption of approval.
If the extension is refused
There is no appeal process that keeps you in the country while you argue. Make arrangements to leave before your current pass expires.
Overstaying is an immigration offence in Singapore, not an administrative slip. It affects future entries and future pass applications, including PR and long-term passes. If you are close to the expiry date and the outcome has not arrived, plan to depart.
When to stop extending and apply for a proper pass
Repeated extensions are not a long-term solution, and ICA can see the pattern. If someone needs to live in Singapore rather than visit, the right answer is a long-term pass.
| Situation | The pass to apply for |
| Parent of a Singapore citizen or PR who wants to stay long term | Long-Term Visit Pass. See our guide to applying for an LTVP for parents |
| Foreign spouse of a citizen or PR | LTVP, and the free Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment first if you are marrying a citizen. See LTVP for your spouse |
| Spouse or child of a work pass holder | Dependant’s Pass or LTVP. Compare them in Dependant Pass vs LTVP |
| Coming to study | Student’s Pass. See can a student pass holder work in Singapore |
| Coming to work | A work pass, applied for by the employer. See the different pass types |
| Settling here permanently | Singapore PR |
STVP vs LTVP at a glance
| Short-Term Visit Pass | Long-Term Visit Pass | |
| Purpose | Visiting | Living in Singapore long term |
| Typical duration | 30 or 90 days | Longer, set by ICA, renewable |
| Who sponsors | No sponsor needed | A citizen, PR or eligible pass holder |
| Can the holder work? | No | Only with a Letter of Consent |
| Extension or renewal | Extension only in the 14-day window | Renewal, submitted before expiry |
| Applied for | At the checkpoint, extension online | Online, before or after arrival depending on the category |
Our complete LTVP guide covers every category, and LTVP processing time explains how long to allow.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Better approach |
| Trying to apply weeks in advance | The application cannot be submitted | Wait for the 14-day window, but prepare the documents early |
| Assuming everyone gets 30 days | Some visitors get less | Check your actual end date on arrival |
| Booking flights before approval | You may have to change them | Treat approval as uncertain |
| Forgetting to pay | The application is withdrawn | Pay as soon as you are prompted |
| Extending again and again | Raises questions about the real purpose of the stay | Move to an LTVP or the right long-term pass |
| Staying past the expiry date | An immigration offence with lasting consequences | Leave, then plan a proper pass |
How First Immigration can help
- Deciding the right pass. We look at the relationship, the sponsor and the plan, and tell you whether an extension or an LTVP application is the right move.
- LTVP applications for parents and spouses, including the documents and the sponsor’s side.
- Timing. We work backwards from your current pass expiry so there is no gap.
- Long-term planning. When the family is settled, we look at PR.
Learn more about our LTVP application service or book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Singapore on a visit pass?
Usually 30 or 90 days, depending on your nationality and ICA’s assessment when you arrive. Your actual end date is shown on the pass you receive at the checkpoint.
How do I extend my Short-Term Visit Pass?
Online through ICA’s extension e-Service. Walk-in applications are not accepted. You can only apply when your pass has 14 days or less of validity left.
How much does a visit pass extension cost?
S$40 if the extension takes your stay to 90 days or more from the date of entry, and for each further block of 90 days. Visa-required nationalities may also pay S$30 for a visa.
How long does an extension take to process?
About 5 working days, excluding weekends and public holidays.
Can I apply for an extension early?
No. The application can only be submitted when your pass has 14 days or less remaining.
How long an extension will ICA grant?
It depends on your circumstances and ties in Singapore. ICA decides the period case by case.
What happens if my extension is rejected?
You must leave Singapore before your current pass expires. Overstaying is an immigration offence and can affect future applications.
Can I work on a Short-Term Visit Pass?
No. Working requires a work pass applied for by an employer.
How many times can I extend a visit pass?
There is no published limit, but repeated extensions invite scrutiny. If you need to stay long term, apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass or another suitable pass.
What documents do I need to extend?
A scan of your passport’s personal particulars page, the D/E number from your SG Arrival Card, and supporting documents for your reason, such as proof of family relationship or medical documents.
Official sources: ICA, Seeking Extension of Visit Pass, the extension of Short-Term Visit Pass e-Service, ICA’s tool to check the end of your stay, and ICA FAQs on extension fees and applications.
Disclaimer: Fees, processing times and requirements are based on ICA information as of September 2026 and can change. Extensions are granted at ICA’s discretion. Nothing in this article guarantees an outcome.
