>Starting tomorrow, a new e-Visa will be launched by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), offering 'green' savings and greater security for Singapore.
Foreigners from certain visa-required countries - like China, India and Myanmar - who can use the e-Visa will no longer be issued with the usual sticker visa, but an electronically printed one, said a news release by the ICA.
In line with the existing procedure, foreigners from visa-required countries who want to travel to Singapore will still need a local contact or trusted partner to submit applications via the SAVE (Submission of Application for Visa Electronically) system.
However, with the e-Visa, the local contact or trusted partner will no longer need to submit paper application forms and supporting documents, and will save a trip down to the ICA building for the physical collection of the sticker-type visa.
The changes are expected to translate into substantial transportation and administration cost savings for e-Visa users.
The phasing out of the sticker Visa for these groups of foreigners will not only help the government save up to $800,000 annually, but will enhance the nation's security.
Mr Eric Tan, Commissioner of ICA, said: "For the e-Visa initiative, security is enhanced as it deals with the possibility of the visa sticker being forged or tampered with.
"Information on the visa applicants is transmitted electronically through the secure network to all checkpoints to facilitate immigration clearance."
A full list of visa-required nationals eligible to use e-Visa can be found on the ICA website.
