Lois Larson
Singapore's Changi Airport is a major gateway to the wider Asian region and a common layover point for long-haul flights between Europe and Australia and New Zealand. The airport has been named the world's best numerous times and is regarded as one of the world's best international transit hubs. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of Changi Airport, including flight transfer information, visa requirements, and things to do within the airport and beyond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa requirement | Foreigners transiting in Singapore do not require a visa if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and do not pass through immigration. |
| Transit time | A minimum of two hours is recommended to ensure sufficient time to pass through security and reach the departure gate for the connecting flight. |
| Security screening | All passengers are required to undergo security screening before proceeding to the boarding gate for their connecting flight. |
| Boarding pass | Transit passengers must obtain their boarding pass for the onward flight from the designated transfer desk area upon arrival at Changi Airport. |
| Visa-free transit | Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, holding valid onward tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, allowing a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore. |
| City tours | Some airlines offer transit passengers the opportunity to take a city tour of Singapore, with a minimum required transit time of 5.5 hours. |
| Facilities | Changi Airport features a mall and entertainment complex called the Jewel, with attractions such as the Shiseido Forest Valley, Canopy Park, and the Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall. |
| COVID-19 testing | Pre-departure COVID-19 testing services are not available in the transit area of Changi Airport. |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for transit passengers
Singapore is open to all transit travellers with no specific regulations or requirements. However, travellers who intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore or have booked flights that require them to enter Singapore to collect tickets or check in again for their connecting flight are not considered transit travellers and must fulfil all public health and entry requirements.
Foreigners transiting in Singapore do not need a visa if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration. However, if they need to pass through Singapore Immigration due to a lack of transfer facilities, they must obtain a visa before travelling.
Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and selected nationals from the People's Republic of China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF). To be eligible, travellers must have a valid onward ticket departing Singapore within 96 hours and a valid visa or long-term pass with at least one month of validity from the date of entry into Singapore. The VFTF allows entry by any mode of transport but departure only by air or sea. It is important to note that extension requests for the VFTF are not allowed.
The period of stay for transit travellers is typically at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport, ranging from 14 to 30 days. Travellers can request an extension by applying in person at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority before the expiry of their visa.
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Boarding passes and security screening
Singapore is open to all transit travellers with no specific regulations or requirements. However, to be considered a transit traveller, one must be travelling to another country via Singapore without clearing Singapore arrival immigration.
Boarding Passes
Upon arriving at Changi Airport, passengers should follow the directional signs to get to the designated transfer desk area to obtain the boarding pass for their onward flight. Passengers can also check-in online or at the airport. Online check-in allows passengers to confirm their presence and select seats up to 48 hours before departure. At the airport, passengers can check in at the check-in counter with their travel documents (valid passport, air ticket or booking confirmation, and visa, if applicable).
Security Screening
All passengers are required to go through security screening before heading to the boarding gate of their onward flight. Security screening starts when passengers check their luggage. After checking in and dropping off their baggage, passengers will proceed to a customs scanner, where an agent will scan their checked bag and drop it off. Passengers will then go through immigration, where an officer will scan their biometrics and take their photo before allowing them to proceed. Security checks are conducted outside the boarding gates, and passengers are advised to be at their boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before their flight departure.
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Immigration clearance
Singapore is open to all transit travellers with no specific regulations or requirements. However, travellers who intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore or who have booked flights that require them to enter Singapore to collect tickets or baggage and check in again for their connecting flight are not considered transit travellers.
Several low-cost carriers require travellers to clear immigration to collect their onward connecting tickets in the Departure Check-In hall. Such travellers should ensure that they fulfil all public health and entry requirements found on the “Entering Singapore” page.
Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, permitting a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore. Entry eligibility will be assessed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry.
Foreigners transiting in Singapore will not require visas if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration. However, foreign visitors may be required to pass through Singapore Immigration if their airlines do not have the necessary transfer facilities. In these cases, the foreign visitor should obtain a visa prior to travel.
The period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport. It is normally between 14 to 30 days. Regardless of the length of stay granted, visitors may request an extension of stay by applying in person at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority before the expiry of the visa granted.
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Layover activities
Singapore Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world for long layovers. The airport itself has plenty of activities to keep travellers entertained for hours, and many of Singapore's biggest attractions are a short drive away, making it easy to explore the city during a long layover.
If you're looking to stay in the airport, you can visit the world's tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, which is a massive seven-story display. Nature lovers can also visit the Butterfly Garden, which is home to over 1,000 butterflies. You can also spend time in the Entertainment Hall, where you can play video games and watch movies. The airport also has a movie theatre, art exhibits, countless shops and restaurants, and even a Skytrain that travels between terminals, giving you a view of the airport's exterior.
If you're looking to venture outside the airport, you can visit the National Gallery in Singapore, which is full of South Asian art and is a short 15-minute drive from the airport. You can also explore the neighbourhood of Kampong Glam, which is full of culture and heritage, with markets and restaurants offering various cuisines. If you're feeling adventurous, you can go on a night safari, about 30 minutes from the airport, where you can see animals active at night, such as Asian elephants, lions, and leopards.
If you're looking for a place to rest, the airport has several transit hotels, including the Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, which offers bookings in hourly slots, so you don't have to book an overnight stay. The Changi Lounge in the Jewel Terminal also caters to non-transit travellers, with nap pods available from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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Facilities and amenities
Changi Airport, Singapore's primary international airport, offers a wide range of facilities and amenities for transit passengers. The airport has been recognised as one of the best in the world, and its infrastructure includes passenger terminals, runways, taxiways, maintenance buildings, and ground support equipment.
For those with long layovers, the airport provides lounges with 24-hour napping areas, showers, and spa facilities. There are also hotel and pool amenities available. Additionally, Changi Airport offers Singapore Tours for transit passengers with layovers longer than 5 hours; these passengers can obtain a special pass to leave the airport and explore the city on one of two tour options. The airport also features a Nature Trail with six themed garden reserves and ten garden areas spread across all four terminals.
Changi Airport provides comprehensive dining and entertainment options, including a wide array of shopping outlets. Duty-free shopping is particularly popular, with liquor, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, and luxury goods being the most common purchases.
For business travellers, there are several business centres located around the airport, along with meeting rooms, charging ports, and printing services. The airport also offers internet and gaming facilities, prayer rooms, and a gym.
In terms of accessibility, Changi Airport provides complimentary wheelchair use within the airport and in Jewel. Additionally, clinics and paramedics are available 24/7 to assist passengers with any medical needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Foreigners transiting in Singapore do not require visas if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration. However, if you need to go through immigration, you must obtain a visa before travelling.
Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China (PRC), holding valid onward tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, permitting a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore.
Changi Airport has plenty of free seating areas, stores, and restaurants. The airport also features The Jewel, a mall and entertainment complex with attractions including the five-floor-high Shiseido Forest Valley and the top-story Canopy Park. Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board, and Changi Airport Group also jointly organise free Singapore tours for transit passengers.
A minimum transit time of two hours is recommended to ensure passengers can pass through security and get to the departure gate of their connecting flight in good time.
There are no specific regulations or requirements for transit travellers in Singapore. However, travellers are advised to check with the appropriate authorities of their destination country/region on any requirements they may impose.
