Singapore Mandates Covid Vaccination For New Visas

Key Highlights:

• Overview
• New Covid Measures

The Singaporean government’s Multi-Ministry Task Force (MMTF) has recently announced that a complete vaccination against Covid-19 will become mandatory to apply for work visas and permanent residency starting February 2022.

New Covid Measures

The MMTF was quoted by the Singapore-based Strait Times as saying that this new mandate will apply to applicants for work visas, long-term visas and permanent residence, and those who are renewing their visas. 

“These measures will help sustain our high vaccination rates and facilitate the safe reopening of our society and economy,” said the MMTF, adding that it will not apply for medically ineligible candidates and children under 12 years of age.

At the time of vaccination, the employers will have to declare to the government that the work visa holder and their dependents accompanying them are completely vaccinated.

The work visa holders must, in turn, either submit or present their Covid vaccination certificate during the verification process to be allowed entry into the country.

Applicants who have digitally certifiable certificates must instead upload them to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's Vaccination Check Portal system and present them to airlines before boarding.

Visa holders who are considered medically ineligible for taking the Covid-19 vaccination must furnish a doctor’s memo when applying for the visa and then undergo medical examination after entering the city-state.