Do Singaporean passport holders need a visa for United States?
Not a visa, but you do need an approved ESTA. Singapore is in the US Visa Waiver Programme, so Singaporean citizens can travel for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they hold a biometric passport and get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization approved before departure. It costs 40.27 US dollars and lasts two years.
Quick facts
e-Visa / ESTA- Visa required
- No, but an approved ESTA is mandatory
- Programme
- Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days per visit
- Passport type
- Biometric e-passport required
- Passport validity
- At least 6 months beyond your planned departure
- Cost
- USD 40.27, valid two years or until the passport expires
Entry requirements
- A Singaporean biometric e-passport. A passport without the embedded chip cannot be used under the Visa Waiver Programme, even if it is otherwise valid.
- An approved ESTA, obtained before you board. Airlines check this at the gate and will refuse boarding without it.
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave the United States.
- Travel for tourism, business or transit only. Study, paid work and journalism on assignment all require an actual visa.
- A return or onward ticket.
How to apply for an ESTA
Apply on the official Customs and Border Protection site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. It is the only official portal, and numerous paid intermediaries rank well in search while charging several times the real fee for the same form.
You will need your passport, employment and contact details, and a US address if you have one. Most applications are approved within minutes, but the official guidance is to apply at least 72 hours before travel because some are held for review.
An approved ESTA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips within that window. You do not need a new one for every visit.
Good to know
- An approved ESTA is permission to travel, not permission to enter. The decision is made by the border officer when you land, and it can go against you regardless of the authorisation.
- Travelling to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or holding dual nationality with several of those countries, disqualifies you from the Visa Waiver Programme. You would need a full B1/B2 visa instead, which takes considerably longer.
- The 90 days cannot be extended and you cannot change status to a different visa category from inside the United States while travelling on an ESTA. If you might need longer, apply for a visa before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Do Singaporeans need a visa for the USA?
No visa is needed for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, because Singapore is in the Visa Waiver Programme. You do need an approved ESTA before you travel.
How much does an ESTA cost for Singapore passport holders?
USD 40.27, paid on the official CBP site. The approval lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
How long can Singaporeans stay in the US without a visa?
Up to 90 days per visit under the Visa Waiver Programme. The 90 days cannot be extended from inside the United States.
ESTA or a US visa for Singapore citizens, which do I need?
An ESTA covers tourism, business and transit for up to 90 days. You need a full visa for study, paid work, longer stays, or if a past visit to certain countries makes you ineligible for the Visa Waiver Programme.
Does an approved ESTA guarantee entry to the United States?
No. It authorises you to board and travel. Admission is decided by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
Related pages
Entry rules change without notice. Confirm with the official embassy or immigration portal before you book. Last verified 2026-08-06 against: US Department of State — Visa Waiver Program (travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html) · US Customs and Border Protection — ESTA (cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta) · US Customs and Border Protection help centre — ESTA fee and validity (help.cbp.gov) · Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs — United States travel and visa information (mfa.gov.sg)
