Is the Singapore visa free for Moldova citizens?

For Moldovan citizens, a visa is required to visit Singapore. This applies to travel for tourism, business, transit, or any other purpose. There are no visa exemptions available [3].

Some key facts about the Singapore visa requirement for Moldovan citizens:

• The visa must be obtained in advance – there are no visas issued on arrival at Singapore airports or other ports of entry.
• Travelers need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which serves as the entry visa. This can be done online.
• The ETA is valid for visits of up to 30 days. Longer stays will require a separate visa approval.
• Fees are associated with the ETA application. The cost is generally around $20 USD.
• Moldovan passport holders transiting through Singapore also need an ETA, even if not leaving the airport.

So in summary, Moldovan citizens cannot enjoy visa-free entry to Singapore. Some pre-travel planning is required to obtain the necessary ETA documentation.

Why Moldovan Citizens Need a Visa

Singapore’s visa and entry policies are based on principles of reciprocity. Countries whose citizens can enter Singapore freely are generally those that also allow Singaporean citizens to visit without a visa [4].

As a former Soviet republic, Moldova has not historically had very open borders. Singapore enforces a visa requirement for Moldovan citizens due to the restrictions faced by Singaporeans wishing to visit Moldova.

Singapore periodically reviews its visa waiver policies and negotiations occur between governments. It’s possible that Moldova could be added to Singapore’s list of visa-exempt countries in the future if reciprocal arrangements are made.

How Moldovans Can Obtain an ETA Visa

For now, an ETA is mandatory for Moldovans to visit Singapore. The process of obtaining one is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps involved:

• Complete the online ETA application form on VisaGov’s official visa portal website. This will require uploading a digital passport photo and scanned passport pages.
• Pay the visa application fee by credit card on the portal. This is usually around $30 USD.
• Wait for the ETA to be approved – processing time is generally 1-3 business days.
• Once approved, the ETA will be emailed to the applicant as an electronic document.
• When entering Singapore, travelers must show their passport, printed ETA, and documents supporting their purpose of visit.
• The ETA is valid for use within 3 months from the date of approval.

As long as citizens of Moldova follow these procedures and secure their ETA, they will be welcomed to visit Singapore for up to 30 days.

Conclusion

Singapore has visa-free arrangements with many countries, but Moldova is not currently one of them. Until reciprocal travel policies are negotiated, Moldovan citizens need to obtain an ETA visa prior to arrival in Singapore.

This requires applying online and paying a small fee. With some advance planning, Moldovans can complete the straightforward ETA process and be cleared to visit Singapore for tourism or other short-term purposes.

References

[1] “Countries and Territories with Visa-Free Entry to Singapore.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. https://www.mfa.gov.sg/countries-regions/europe/moldova

[2] “Visa Policy of Singapore.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Singapore

[3] “Guide to Singapore Visas for Moldovan Citizens.” SingaporeVisa.com. https://www.singaporevisa.com/visa-for-moldovan

[4] “Understanding Singapore’s Visa Policies.” TripSavvy. https://www.tripsavvy.com/singapore-visa-policy-1629739