9 Countries That Require Singaporeans to Apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation

The “power” of the Singapore passport is widely acknowledged the world over. As of 2025, Singapore passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries and territories, ranking the Singapore passport first in the world as per the Henley Passport Index.

What’s important to note is that even being visa-exempt doesn’t mean that you can simply waltz into another country freely. Even if you don’t need a travel visa, you may still have to apply for electronic travel authorisation (ETA) ahead of time.

In this article we cover nine countries which require an ETA application — the easiest ways to apply, costs involved, processing time, and how long you’re allowed to stay in each country.

In most cases, proof of travel authorisation is needed before you even board the plane, and without approval, you may be forced to postpone your flight. So for the smoothest travels, make sure you book your travel insurance and get your ETA confirmation in advance!
 

Australia

The Outback may be a very accessible and quick direct flight away, but it doesn’t mean that you should brave entering unprepared.

All Singaporeans are required to apply for the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) ahead of time. The easiest way to apply is via the AustralianETA app (App Store / Google Play), with a charge of AUD$20. Each traveller requires a separate application, and you should be notified of the result almost immediately. The Australian ETA is linked to your passport number so a hard copy shouldn’t be necessary, but have the app and your email on hand, just in case.

Once granted, you’ll enjoy the freedom of visiting Australia as and when you like within a year. However, while multiple entries are allowed, you’re only allowed a maximum of 90 days per visit, so don’t overstay your welcome!

Singaporeans may enter via SmartGates on arrival at Australia’s airports, but if you’re travelling with family, note that it’s not for kids under 10.

Bhutan

Since this hidden corner of the world has been unlocked, Singaporeans are now able to visit Bhutan independently without having to go through government-approved travel companies. But before you set off to the “land of the thunder dragon,” make sure that you have applied for your Bhutan Electronic Travel Authorisation (e-Visa) via the official website.

An electronic Bhutan visa application costs USD$40, and unlike other electronic travel applications, would be fully refunded to you if you cancel your trip. At the same time, you would be required to make payment for Bhutan’s mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for all tourists, depending on the length of your stay.

The standard rate is USD$200 per person, per night. Children aged 6-12 pay USD$100, and children under 6 are exempt from this fee. As a tourism incentive, from now till 31 August 2027, tourists paying in U.S. dollars enjoy a 50% discount on the SDF (USD$100 per adult / USD$50 per child).

You should receive your e-Visa approval within 3 working days, which will grant you a stay of up to 90 days in Bhutan. You are recommended to print out your e-Visa confirmation just in case.

Read Also: 4 Breathtaking Off-the-Path Travel Destinations, including Bhutan
 

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Canada

Visiting the Canadian Rockies soon? Make sure you’ve applied for your Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which can be easily done via the official website. You can apply on behalf of family members but each person requires a separate application and individual payment of the CAD$7 fee.

You should usually receive a confirmation via email within 3 days, which will allow you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months. The eTA is automatically linked to your passport and no print-out is required.  

Note: The eTA is only required if you’re flying directly into Canada, or transiting through a Canadian airport. If you’re on a roadtrip through the USA and popping into Canada for a visit, or if you’re cruising the region and disembark at a Canadian port, the eTA is not required.
 

Important for Parents:
If you’re travelling to Canada with your child/children without your spouse, or co-parent, you may need to produce a letter from the other parent authorising the minor/s to travel to Canada, and possibly custody papers as proof.

India

Obtaining a visa to visit India is a two-fold process for Singaporeans. First, you’ll need to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online from the official website and secure the necessary approval before departing for India. Upon arrival in India, you’ll also have to proceed to a “Visa on Arrival” counter at the airport to get the visa physically stamped on your passport (you must have at least two blank pages!).

It costs USD$25 per ETA, and every traveller is required to have one. For the application process, you’ll need to submit a detailed travel itinerary, proof of accommodation arrangements, and confirmed return flight tickets.

You should receive a confirmation within 4 days, which will grant you a maximum of 30 days stay starting from the date you touchdown in India. Note that as an e-Tourist Visa holder, you’re only allowed to arriva via 31 designated airports or 5 designated seaports, and not over land. You’re advised to print out your ETA confirmation to present at any immigration checkpoint.

New Zealand

Do Singaporeans need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to visit the more than 600 islands that make up Aotearoa (its Maori name)? Absolutely.

The quickest way - and cheaper way - to apply is via their NZeTA app (App Store / Google Play). It costs NZD$17 to apply on the app, versus NZD$23 via the official website.

Of course, as a visitor to New Zealand you’ll also need to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD$100 per traveller. This sustainable tourism fee funds conservation and helps to protect the breathtaking New Zealand nature we know and love. This fee is paid at the same time as you’re applying for your NZeTA.

You should receive a confirmation within 3 working days. Your NZeTA is electronically linked to your passport, but you are advised to have at least your NZeTA number on hand for reference. Once granted, you’re allowed multiple entries into New Zealand over two years, with a maximum of 90 days per stay.

Note: The NZeTA is also required for Singaporeans even if you’re just transiting through Auckland International Airport.
 

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Pakistan

Singaporeans enjoy free, multiple-entry visits to Pakistan for the duration of 90 days simply by applying for a Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA). The Government of Pakistan has even streamlined this process further, so we can now apply easily on our phones via the new Pak Identity (PAK ID) mobile app (App Store / Google Play).

Simply select the subcategory for a Tourist/Visit visa and have on hand your travel itinerary and hotel booking details. Make sure to apply in advance, as it takes 7 to 10 working days to process your application. Once you receive the confirmation via email, the advice is to print it out or save a screenshot on your phone as there is a QR code that will need to be scanned by immigration upon arrival in Pakistan.

Note: If you are travelling to Pakistan for mountaineering or trekking, you will need to submit a separate visa application in another category.

Thailand

More than 2 million Singaporeans head to the “land of the free” every year, and we’ve never really had to worry about travel visa applications before. This changed on 1 December 2024, when Thailand rolled out its new mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme.

While the full launch is expected in mid-2025, Singapore passport holders are already required to apply for the ETA before visiting Thailand. The ETA application is free of charge, and can be done via the official Thai e-Visa website.

Here are some important things to note about applying for Thailand ETA, especially because the procedure is quite different from other applications:

• You will need to already have your flight number and proof of accommodation in Thailand, so apply for the ETA only once you have these on hand
• You’ll also need to provide proof of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement, showing a balance of at least 10,000 baht (around S$400), or 20,000 baht if travelling with family
• One ETA is required per traveller, but you can make an application for multiple travellers in one go
• Confirmation of your ETA application should take a few hours, so don’t leave this to the last minute!
• In fact, the Thai government recommends printing out your ETA confirmation (received via email) for presenting to airlines and Thai immigration officials
• Once your ETA is approved, you will be sent an ETA authorisation QR code, which grants you access through automated immigration gates.
• Note that an ETA application is required for every trip you make to Thailand, though you are allowed to stay a maximum of 60 days.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom welcomes some 200,000 Singaporeans to its isles annually, but as of 8 January 2025, only if you have UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This means that whether you’re visiting England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you’d best apply for a UK ETA beforehand.

The easiest way to apply is using the UK ETA app (App Store / Google Play), and even for the non-tech-savvy, the UK immigration strongly recommends getting help from a family member or friend who has the app on their phone, with a website application as the last resort.

Every traveller is required to have their own ETA, including babies and children, but children aged 9 and under will not be asked to scan their face. It costs GBP£16 to apply and you’ll usually get a decision within 3 working days via email. Because the ETA will automatically be linked to the passport you applied with, there is no need to print it out.

Once your UK ETA is granted, you’re allowed to travel freely in and out of the United Kingdom for a duration of two years, and stay a maximum of 6 months per trip. Singaporeans are also eligible to use the eGates for quicker automated immigration clearance into the UK, though this is still unavailable for children under 10.

Note: The UK ETA is required regardless of the mode of transport used, whether arriving on a flight, as part of a cruise, or travelling over land via car or train from West Europe. However, unlike Canada, the UK ETA is not required if you are simply transiting through a UK airport, without passing through UK border control.

Another thing you should note, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, is that the UK ETA covers Northern Ireland, which is a part of the UK, but not Ireland, the independent sovereign state. (FYI: Singaporeans do not require a visa to visit Ireland.)

United States of America

Singaporeans benefit from being under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), so before visiting the U.S., we only have to submit an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

An ESTA application costs USD$21 and is required for entry into the USA no matter the mode of transport – air, land or sea – and even if you’re just transiting through U.S. airports. Because every traveller is required to have their own ESTA approval, children of all ages must have their own passport, and cannot piggyback on their parent’s passport.

Some of the information you’ll need to include in your ESTA application include a U.S. point of contact, the address of your accommodation, and your current employer information.

You should receive your U.S. ESTA approval within 3 working days, which grants you multiple entries to the USA within two years, with a maximum of 90 days per stay. While your ESTA status would be linked to your passport, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends that travellers print out their ESTA application response to be presented where necessary.