Singapore visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Singapore

Rules are written for non-Singaporean foreign nationals; specific entry-visa, salary and stay outcomes vary by passport nationality and are determined by Singapore's ICA (immigration) and MOM (work passes).

• Most nomadsTourist

  Short-Term Visit Pass (Tourist / Social)

  Typically 30 or 90 days depending on nationality (the social-visit e-Pass duration is set by ICA at the checkpoint, commonly 14, 30 or 90 days). One extension of up to ~89 days from entry may be requested but is not automatic.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for entry - Singapore does not mandate travel/health insurance for tourists. Note: visa applicants are typically asked to show ~S$30,000 medical coverage, and cover is strongly recommended anyway given high private healthcare costs.

  Good for

  Tourists and people visiting family/friends. Visa-required nationals (around 33 nationalities across ICA Assessment Levels I and II, incl. India, China, Russia, Pakistan) must first obtain an entry e-Visa; most others enter visa-free.

  Requirement

  Valid passport, onward/return ticket and sufficient funds; an entry visa first for visa-required nationalities. Final stay length is at ICA officer discretion on arrival.

• Business

  Short-Term Visit Pass for Business

  Same as the social Visit Pass - roughly 30 to 90 days depending on nationality, set by ICA at entry.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by Singapore. Recommended - confirm coverage with your employer/insurer.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations or other short business activities (not taking up local employment).

  Requirement

  Same entry conditions as a social visit (entry visa first if visa-required). Local paid work needs a separate work pass; short eligible activities may fall under Work Pass Exempt Activities or a Miscellaneous Work Pass (e.g. speakers/journalists, up to 60 days).

• Business

  EntrePass

  First pass 1 year; first renewal 1 year; subsequent renewals 2 years each if business milestones (rising local spend, local hires) are met.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for the pass itself. Recommended for the holder; hiring staff triggers the employer medical-insurance duties above.

  Good for

  Foreign entrepreneurs starting and operating a venture-backed or innovative Singapore-registered company.

  Requirement

  Hold at least 30% shareholding in an ACRA-registered private limited company (registered <6 months old, or to be incorporated) and meet entrepreneur/innovator/investor criteria - e.g. at least ~S$100,000 funding from a government-recognised VC, angel, corporate VC or family office.

• Most nomadsWork

  Employment Pass (EP)

  Up to 2 years for new applicants; renewals up to 3 years. Employer-sponsored and renewable while conditions are met.

  Insurance

  RecommendedMOM does NOT mandate medical insurance for EP holders (they are assumed to self-insure given the salary). Employer-provided medical cover is common and increasingly expected; private health cover is recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign professionals, managers and executives taking up skilled employment with a Singapore employer.

  Requirement

  Job offer from a Singapore employer plus a fixed monthly salary from S$5,600 (general sectors) or S$6,200 (financial services) for the youngest candidates, scaling with age to about S$10,700 / S$11,800 at 45+, AND passing the points-based COMPASS framework (min 40 points). Employer applies via MOM.

• Work

  S Pass

  Up to 2 years, renewable, tied to employer.

  Insurance

  Requiredemployers must buy and maintain medical insurance for every S Pass holder, with a mandated minimum of S$60,000/year per worker (age-differentiated premiums and standardised terms since July 2025).

  Good for

  Skilled/mid-level foreign workers employed by a Singapore company.

  Requirement

  Job offer with fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,300 (S$3,800 in financial services), higher for older candidates; employer must meet sub-Dependency Ratio quota and pay the S Pass levy. (Note: minimums rise to S$3,600 / S$4,000 for new applications from Jan 2027.)

• Work

  Work Permit (Migrant / Domestic Worker)

  Tied to employment and sector rules, renewable; employer-sponsored.

  Insurance

  Requiredemployers must buy and maintain mandated medical insurance (minimum S$60,000/year per worker, age-differentiated since July 2025), plus a security bond/personal-accident cover for some categories.

  Good for

  Semi-skilled migrant workers in construction, manufacturing, marine, process or services, plus migrant domestic workers and similar roles.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship, sector quota/levy compliance, from approved source countries, plus a security bond and other employer obligations.

• Work

  Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

  5 years, renewable for further 5-year periods if conditions are met. Allows working for / starting multiple companies without a new pass per job.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot a stated condition. Recommended - private health cover advisable given Singapore healthcare costs.

  Good for

  Top-tier talent in business, arts, sports, academia and research wanting a flexible, non-employer-tied pass.

  Requirement

  Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past year (or a forward offer at that level) with an established firm, or outstanding achievement in eligible fields. Renewal needs a sustained S$30,000 average or running a Singapore company employing 5+ locals each earning S$5,000+.

• Work

  Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

  Issued once and non-renewable, valid up to 3 years; holder cannot be unemployed in Singapore for more than 6 continuous months.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot a stated condition. Recommended - private health cover advisable.

  Good for

  High-earning current EP holders or overseas professionals wanting a pass not tied to a single employer.

  Requirement

  Fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 (and a fixed annual salary of at least S$270,000 each calendar year regardless of months worked). Cannot run own business; subject to MOM notification when changing jobs.

• Study

  Student's Pass

  Issued for the duration of the course (e.g. ~3-4 years undergraduate, 1-2 years Master's), renewable if the programme extends.

  Insurance

  RequiredICA requires Student's Pass holders to hold valid health/hospitalisation insurance for the full pass duration, usually satisfied via the university's compulsory Obligatory Student Health Plan (OSHP, ~S$50,000/yr hospitalisation cover). Check your institution's specific plan.

  Good for

  International students enrolled in full-time study at an approved Singapore institution for more than 30 days.

  Requirement

  Acceptance into an approved institution and application via ICA's SOLAR system; pass fee around S$90. Short courses completed within a Visit Pass / 30 days are exempt.

General guidance only - verify the exact rule for your nationality and pass with Singapore's ICA and MOM before relying on it. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United Kingdom → Singapore: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Singapore?

Visa-free · up to 30 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Singapore?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Singapore has 9 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Singapore?

Entry to Singapore never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Singapore visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.