Do Ghanaians Need Visa to Go to Singapore
Ghanaian passport provides visa-free accessto several countries, with Singapore being one of them. Ghanaians can visit Singapore without a visa for tourism purposes. It includes exploring new places and cities, sightseeing, as well as visiting family and friends.
Even though citizens of Ghana are exempted from visa requirements when traveling to Singapore, they still must meet other entry requirements and don't stay longer than a permitted period - 30 days.
Ghanaians are not allowed to work in Singapore without a visa. For employment, they need to obtain a work pass. There are different work pass types for professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, trainees and students, as well as their family members.
Ghanaians visiting Singapore don't have to worry about visa requirements as they can enter the country visa-free. Still, there are other requirements they must be aware of:
- Ghanaian citizens must have a passport with two spare pages that stays valid for at least six months from the arrival date;
- travelers should have enough money to cover their stay in the country, so it is necessary to have proof of sufficient funds in the form of a bank statement or cash - $50-$100 is recommended for a day;
- it is also required to have onward/return airline tickets, as people with one-way tickets may be entry-denied;
- holding a tourist voucher or confirmation of the tour package booked is not a strict requirement but could serve as proof of the purpose of stay;
- officials may also ask for details of your accommodation and booking confirmation;
- Ghanaians must carry the International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) - proof of being vaccinated against Yellow fever, as Ghana is a country with a high risk of transmission of this disease;
- other additional medical requirements include a check for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza vaccination;
- Ghanaians visiting Singapore with pets must have a certificate of vaccination and an import license from the embassy or the high commission.
Permitted period of stay
Visa-free travel often provides excellent movement freedom and the ability to stay longer than initially planned, but you cannot stay without a visa in the country forever.
Ghanaians visiting Singapore for tourism purposes without a visa are allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days. You mustn't overstay this period, as if you still are in the country beyond 30 days, your stay will be considered illegal, and you may be prosecuted, fined, or forcibly removed.
If you need to stay in Singapore longer than a month, you should apply for a visa - for example, a work pass.
Work passes for Gnanaians in Singapore
Ghanaians, as well as other foreign citizens, are not allowed to get employed and work in Singapore without a visa. Visa-free access assumes Ghanaian citizens stay in the country for tourism purposes, so those who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid work visa.
There are various work pass types for different categories of people.
Professionals can obtain:
- Employment Pass - for foreign professionals, managers, and executives;
- EntrePass - for eligible foreign entrepreneurs intending to start and operate a business in Singapore with innovative technologies.
- Personalized EntrePass - for high-earning Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals.
Skilled and semi-skilled workers are able to get:
- S Pass - for mid-level skilled staff;
- Work permit for migrant worker - for semi-skilled migrant workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sector;
- Work permit for migrant domestic worker - for migrant domestic workers;
- Work Permit for performing artists - for foreigners performing in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels, and nightclubs.
Pass types for trainees and students include:
Training Employment Pass - for foreign professionals earning at least $3,000 a month on practical training;
Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) - for students and graduates aged 18 to 25 to work and have a holiday for 6 months;
Training Work Permit - for semi-skilled foreign trainees or students on practical training for up to 6 months.
Family members can get:
- Dependant's Pass - for spouses and children of eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders;
- Long-Term Visit Pass - for parents, common-law spouses, step-children, or handicapped children of eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders;
- Pre-approved Letter of Consent - for eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens or permanent residents holding a Long-Term Visit Pass/Long-Term Visit Pass+ issued by ICA;
- Letter of Consent for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders - for eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens or permanent residents with a LTVP/LTVP+ issued by ICA, an employer must apply for the LOC;
- Letter of Consent for Dependant’s Pass holders who are business owners - for eligible Dependant’s Pass holders who intend to run a business.
Exemptions and working while on a visit pass
- Miscellaneous Work Pass - for foreign speakers, religious workers, and journalists on a short-term work assignment of up to two months;
- Work Pass Exempt Activities - for performing eligible short-term activities;
- Work pass exemption for foreign students - for foreign students studying full-time at approved institutions;
- Work passes for holders of Long-Term Visit Passes issued by ICA - for foreigners married to a Singaporean or permanent resident, or parents with a child studying in Singapore.
