The short answer is no, Russian citizens do need a visa to visit Singapore, even for short-term tourist or business trips.
Unlike visa-free access offered to over 150 other countries, Russia is not currently part of Singapore’s visa-free program. All Russian nationals must obtain an appropriate visa before travelling to Singapore.
This means Russian tourists, business travelers, and other visitors cannot simply show their passport and enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days. A valid visa must be obtained in advance.
So while Singapore aims to provide hassle-free entry for global visitors, Russian citizens are presently still required to apply for visas prior to arrival.
Types of Singapore Visas Available to Russians
Since they cannot travel visa-free, Russian citizens looking to visit Singapore must apply for one of the following visa types:
- Tourist Visa – For holidays, sightseeing, visiting family and friends. Valid up to 30 days.
- Business Visa – For business meetings, events, conferences. Valid up to 3 months.
- Transit Visa – For passing through Singapore to another destination. Valid up to 96 hours.
- Work Visa – For Russian citizens relocating to Singapore for employment. Valid up to 2 years.
- Student Pass – For studying full-time at an institute of higher learning. Valid up to 2 years.
- Permanent Resident – For Russian citizens seeking long-term residency in Singapore.
Russians need to apply for the specific visa type matching the purpose and duration of their visit. Approval time can range from 1 week to several months depending on visa type.
Visa Application Requirements
To successfully obtain a Singapore visa, Russian applicants typically need:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid Russian passport
- 2 recent passport photos
- Confirmed tickets and accommodation
- Proof of financial means
- Letter of invitation (for some visa types)
All foreign visitors must have at least 6 months passport validity and an onward/return ticket out of Singapore. Approval is at the discretion of Singapore immigration authorities.
Conclusion
While Singapore provides easy access for tourists from over 150 countries, unfortunately the visa-free privilege does not currently extend to Russia. For now, Russian citizens are still required to apply for an appropriate Singapore visa through the standard process before travelling there.
However, with the proper documents and planning, Russians can still obtain Singapore visas for tourism, business, employment, study or other purposes. The visa application process just takes some additional time and preparation compared to visa-free entry.
Goh Jun Cheng is the chief staff writer for SingaporeAirport.com. Jun Cheng graduated with a degree in journalism from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
He has over 5 years of experience writing about aviation, tourism, and lifestyle topics relevant to locals and visitors in Singapore. His articles provide insights into the rich culture, cuisine, and attractions of Singapore. Jun Cheng is an avid traveler who has visited over 15 countries.
When he is not writing or traveling, he enjoys photography, trying new foods, and hiking. As a longtime Singapore resident, Jun Cheng is passionate about sharing hidden gems and perspectives about his home country.
it is not true, Russians need a visa to enter! Why do you write the oppoiste?
I googled do russians need visa? and it showed your answer as NO!
hahaha so you meant NO it is not a visa-free
misunderstood , my bad