Do I need a visa? Guide to holiday destinations

Bags packed, tickets booked and taxi on its way? Hang on, what about a visa? It’s a nightmare situation many have faced when travelling, if there’s no visa on arrival or airport option, you won’t be allowed to board the aircraft at Changi! Check this handy guide for travel visa requirements to a selection of countries.

Australia

With the exception of New Zealand citizens who can get a visa on arrival, all visitors to Australia require an eVisitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Both can be applied for online. An online ETA costs A$20 and extends to many passport holders, including those from Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, Ireland, the USA, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Hong Kong. Applications for an ETA can be made via the Australian ETA app. For a list of countries and their eligibility for either a visa or an ETA, head here.

Cambodia

All foreign passport holders require a visa to enter Cambodia, except those from Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Most visitors will require a tourist visa, which can be prearranged at a Cambodian embassy or online at evisa.gov.kh.

China

Citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Japan, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea do not need a visa for a stay of less than 15 days. Tours groups are also sometimes exempted. All others require a visa – head here more for details.

India

With exception of the citizens of Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal, all nationalities require a visa to enter India. The official online portal for Indian visas is indianvisaonline.gov.in.

Indonesia

Most nationalities require a visa on arrival, the exceptions being citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Colombia. immiportal.org/indonesia

Japan

Japan’s list of around 70 countries with visa exemptions includes Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and most of Europe. Stays are generally allowed for three months at a time. South Africans need to apply for a visa, as do citizens of most countries in Africa and South America. Find a complete list of exempted countries here.

Laos

A visa is required for Laos except for those from Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia and Japan. Visas on arrival are available at major points of entry (airports and certain land-border and ferry crossings). If you’ve obtained an eVisa beforehand, you can enter at additional locations. For visa on arrival, you’ll need two passport-size photographs, a passport valid for at least six months and US dollars to pay the visa fee, which typically range from US$30 to $50. Foreign tourists are generally admitted for 30 days. For eVisas, visit laoevisa.gov.la/index.

Malaysia

Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Malaysia for up to three months. For citizens of China and India, there is an exemption period in operation until 31 December 2026. See the different requirements here.

Maldives

All nationalities are required to obtain a tourist visa on arrival for a stay up to 30 days. A request for an extension can also be made. immigration.gov.mv

Myanmar

All visitors to Myanmar, except those from Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam including infants and children travelling on a parent’s passport, must obtain visas. The fee is US$50 and it allows a stay of up to 28 days. Note that writers, journalists, editors, film producers and photographers may have trouble obtaining a visa, and stating these occupations on your application may result in you being declined. You can download forms at evisa.moip.gov.mm/home/noticetotourist.

New Zealand

Many nationalities do not require visas for visits of less than three months. However, if you’re from a country on the list of waiver countries and territories, you will still need to apply for an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). This is an easy process and costs NZ$17 if you do it via the free app, or $23 for online. immigration.govt.nz

Sri Lanka

All visitors except citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and Thailand must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before entering Sri Lanka, which allows a stay of up to 30 days. The cost typically ranges from US$10 to US$50. eta.gov.lk/slvisa

Thailand

Citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, France, the UK, the US and Canada are not required to obtain a visa for stays not exceeding 30 days. For the full list (over 90 countries at the time of writing), visit thaievisa.go.th.

The Philippines

Most nationalities do not need a visa, provided you do not stay longer than 21 days, have return tickets and a passport valid for at least six months. This also applies to Singaporean citizens. Citizens of India, China and a select group of other countries are advised to secure visas. evisa.gov.ph

Vietnam

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Exceptions are those from ASEAN nations – including Singapore – plus Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. evisa.gov.vn

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