More countries are introducing ETA with Thailand and UK going ahead with ETA within a few months.
ETA stands for electronic travel authorisation. It is a form of pre-screening
for visa-exempt travellers to certain countries. Unlike traditional visas, It
is more for short-term stays are is generally easy to apply with most
applications done online.
Approval tends to be fast ranging from hours to minutes. Some countries impose
an application fee (eg Australia) while others do not charge for ETA ( eg
Thailand). ETA are to be done before arriving in the country. Failure to
do so could possibly lead to denial of boarding on a flight or entry to the
host country.
Here is the list of countries that require ETA if you are a Singaporean before
arrival.
Australia –
Source: Home Affairs Australia
Canada –
Source: Govt of Canada
Kenya –
Source: ETA Kenya
New Zealand –
Source: New Zealand Immigration
South Korea –
Source: Korea ETA (Singapore Passport exempt till end 2024)
Sri Lanka
–
Source: High Commission of Sri Lanka (Visa on arrival is granted for Singapore travellers, but those who
applied for ETA before arrival will gain expedited entry without queuing for
vias on arrival)
Thailand
–
Source: MOF Kingdom of Thailand
United States of America –
Source: US Customs and Border Protection
United Kingdom –
Source: UK Govt ( ETA to start from 2025)
For more information on the respective ETA for the above countries, do visit
the individual countries’ immigration websites for details.
