The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore announced today that from June 1, Multiple Journey Visas for Chinese nationals will be extended to 10 years, with the same right also extended to the traveller’s spouse and children under 21 years old.

 

Chinese travellers who have previously visited Singapore and whose visa application is supported by relevant Singapore agencies will automatically be granted visas with 10-year validity when they apply.

 

The visa application procedure itself and fees remain the same, and eligible Chinese travellers will be allowed to make use of the automated immigration clearance at Singapore’s entry points.

 

More details will be made available at a later date, said the immigration authority.

 

Commenting in a media release, Leong Yue Kheong, assistant chief executive, international group, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: “This move will support STB’s strategy of promoting quality tourism and attracting visitors from our key source markets. It is also timely as we intensify our destination marketing efforts this year, with an exciting calendar of activities planned in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th anniversary.”

 

He added: “Besides China, STB is also reaching out to visitors from other key markets including Indonesia, India and Australia.”

 

The NTO is meanwhile working with the Singapore embassy in China to grow the number of authorised visa agents there.

 

Chinese arrivals to Singapore from January to November 2014 recorded a dramatic year-on-year dip of 25.7 per cent, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.