Singapore Visas for Seafarers in 2026: A Sign-On Checklist for Ship Agents
Seafarers holding passports from 34 visa-required countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine and Egypt, need a Singapore visa before they arrive, even if they are only signing on or off a vessel. The application is made by the ship agent as the crew member's local contact, through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) SAVE e-Service. ICA processes most applications in 1–3 working days and advises applying about 30 days before arrival, so December crew changes need to be filed in November.
Which seafarers need a Singapore visa to sign on?
ICA states that crew from a visa-required country "are required to apply for a visa prior to your arrival in Singapore... even for the purpose to sign on/sign off from the vessel" (ICA). The visa-required list includes major crew-supplying nations:
South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan
Europe and Central Asia: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
Middle East and Africa: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria
Check the full list on ICA's visa requirements page for every crew member. Nationality, not rank or vessel flag, decides it.
How do ship agents apply for a seafarer's Singapore visa?
The shipping agent acts as local contact and applies online through SAVE, logging in with Singpass or Corppass.
Item | What ICA requires |
When to apply | Within 30 days before arrival |
Processing time | 1–3 working days, excluding submission day, weekends and public holidays |
Fee | S$30, non-refundable, by Visa or Mastercard |
Passport | Valid at least 6 months from the date of entry |
Form | Form 14A, completed and signed; Form V39A (letter of introduction) if asked |
Photo | Colour, white background, taken within 3 months, JPEG 400 × 514 px, max 60 KB |
Outcome | e-Visa printed by the local contact and sent to the crew member |
Sources: ICA India visa page, SAVE FAQ.
What does a visa not cover?
A visa lets a crew member travel to Singapore; it is not an immigration pass. The length of stay is set by the visit pass issued on arrival. Crew joining or leaving a vessel must still follow port clearance rules, including going directly to the ICA crew office, as set out in MPA Port Marine Notice No. 05 of 2026. Our Sea Crew Immigration Clearance checklist covers that step.
ICA also runs a Visa-Free Transit Facility for some nationalities, including India. It has its own conditions, so check them on ICA's site rather than assuming it covers a sign-on.
Sign-on visa checklist for ship agents
Check every crew member's nationality against ICA's visa-required list when the crew list arrives.
Confirm passports are valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
Collect a compliant photo and a signed Form 14A from each crew member.
Submit in SAVE within the 30-day window, and no later than 4 working days before the flight.
Allow extra days around Singapore public holidays.
Track status in SAVE and email the e-Visa to the crew member and manning agent.
Ask crew to carry a printed e-Visa, plus their seaman's book and the agent's letter.
Book the airport pickup and launch only after the visa is approved.
Keep a backup flight and transfer slot in case approval comes late.
If the vessel's schedule shifts, see our Crew Change Contingency Checklist.
How HLE Marine supports crew changes once the visa is approved
HLE Marine (Hui Long Enterprise) is a Singapore crew transport provider that takes over from the moment your crew land:
Airport meet & greet at Changi T1–T4, with help through arrival procedures and luggage.
24/7 crew transfers to Marina South Pier, Jurong Port, Pasir Panjang, Brani, Sembawang Shipyard and Tuas, plus hotels, clinics and embassies.
The HLE Marine Lounge for crew waiting 5–7 hours between landing and boarding.
Short-notice re-timing through our OMS platform, with WhatsApp updates when flights or launch windows move.
Agency Copilot admin support for selected clients, including Indian crew visa applications with the High Commission of India and SSCEC certification.
Flexible billing for agencies with regular crew movements.
Visa approved and crew on the way? Call or WhatsApp HLE Marine on +65 8447 9283, or send us the crew list and flight details and we'll arrange the pickup and transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Do seafarers need a visa to sign on a ship in Singapore? Yes, if they hold a passport from a visa-required country such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine or Egypt. The visa is needed even just to sign on or off.
Who applies for a seafarer's Singapore visa? The shipping agent, acting as local contact, through ICA's SAVE e-Service using Singpass or Corppass.
How long does a Singapore visa take for crew? Usually 1–3 working days, excluding the submission day, weekends and public holidays. ICA advises applying about 30 days before arrival.
How much is a Singapore visa application? S$30, non-refundable, paid online by Visa or Mastercard.
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