The VFTF is an initiative by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) catering to PRC and Indian nationals who may need to enter Singapore when transiting through the country.
To be eligible for the VFTF, PRC and Indian nationals must:
PRC and Indian nationals who meet the above conditions may be eligible for the VFTF either on the onward or return leg of the journey, but not for both. For example, if the PRC or Indian national holds a valid visa/long term pass from Australia:
| Onward Leg | Return Leg |
| China/India → Singapore → Australia → Singapore → China/India | |
| Eligible for VFTF when transiting Singapore en route to Australia |
Eligible for VFTF when transiting Singapore en route to China/India if VFTF was not utilised in onward leg |
In addition, travellers should note the itinerary restrictions based on visa type:
Either on the onward or return leg, holders of valid multiple-journey visa (MJV) or a long term pass from one of the above listed countries i.e. Australia may be eligible for VFTF regardless of the number of stops before or after transiting through Singapore.
| Onward Leg | Return Leg |
| China/India → Country X → Singapore → Australia → Country Y → Singapore → China/India | |
| Eligible for VFTF regardless of number of stops before or after transiting through Singapore. VFTF may only be used in the onward or return leg, but not for both. |
|
There are no itinerary restrictions on the onward leg for PRC and Indian nationals holding a valid Single-Journey Visa (SJV) from one of the above listed countries.
| Onward Leg |
| China/India → Country X → Singapore → Country issuing VISA i.e. Australia |
| Eligible for VFTF regardless of number of stops before transiting through Singapore. |
On the return leg of the journey however, further conditions apply.
(a) the traveller travels directly from the country that issued the SJV, en route through Singapore, directly back to the home country; and
(b) the traveller has not returned to one's home country2 since the SJV was last utilised
| RETURN LEG ITINERARY WHERE SJV HOLDERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VFTF |  |
| Country issuing VISA i.e Australia → Country X → Singapore → China/India
OR Country issuing VISA i.e Australia → Singapore → Country X → China/India |
|
| Even if traveller has not utilised the VFTF in the onward leg, he will not be eligible for VFTF in the return leg as he is neither travelling directly from Australia to Singapore nor directly from Singapore on to China/India in the return leg. | |
| Country issuing VISA i.e Australia → China/India → Singapore → China/India | |
| Even if traveller has not utilised the VFTF in the onward leg, he will not be eligible for it in the return leg as he has already returned to his home country (China/India) after utilising the SJV issued by Australia. |
| RETURN LEG ITINERARY WHERE SJV HOLDERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VFTF |  |
| Country issuing VISA i.e Australia → Singapore → China/India | |
| If traveller has not utilised the VFTF in the onward leg, he may be eligible for it in this return leg provided he is travelling directly from Australia to Singapore and directly on to China/India, and has not returned to his home country after utilising his SJV when entering Australia. |
Transit passengers who satisfy all the above requirements and allowed entry will be granted a stay of up to 96 hours (4 days) in Singapore. Extension of stay for transit passengers under the VFTF scheme is strictly not allowed.
STB would like to advise that where necessary, travellers intending to include Singapore as part of the itinerary should apply for a visa in advance. As with all visitors seeking entry to Singapore, travellers requesting the VFTF are subjected to Singapore's prevailing entry requirements. Satisfaction of the aforementioned VFTF criteria does not guarantee entry into Singapore as all visitors are subjected to the assessment and discretion of the immigration officer at the time of arrival.
Nationals of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS3) and Georgia who are in transit to or from any third country may be eligible for the 96 hour visa free transit facility (VFTF) if they are in possession of a valid onward air ticket departing within the next 96 hours.
Transit passengers who satisfy all the above requirements and allowed entry will be granted a stay of up to 96 hours (4 days) in Singapore. Extension of stay for transit passengers under the VFTF scheme is strictly not allowed.
As with all visitors seeking entry to Singapore, travellers entering via VFTF will still be subjected to Singapore's prevailing entry requirements. Satisfaction of the aforementioned VFTF criteria does not guarantee entry to Singapore as all visitors are subjected to the assessment and discretion of the immigration officer at the time of arrival.
1Visas must be good for entry into the third country to be considered valid. Long Term Passes must have minimum one month validity.
2Home country refers strictly to the country of nationality, i.e. China or India. i.e. for Chinese nationals holding a long term pass issued by Australia, China is still considered the home country.
3CIS refer to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
