Verify whether your country is still among those whose citizens require a tourist visa. The list is available through the official website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore, or through Visa HQ (see Resources). U.S. citizens don't need to apply for a visa in advance or upon arrival. Therefore, they don't pay a visa fee.
Complete the visa application form, commonly referred as Form 14A. You can find the form at your local embassy or consulate, or download it from the ICA website. Make sure you have read carefully the declaration on the third page before signing it. You can submit your application online only through authorized visa agents, trusted partners in Singapore (see Resources) or your host, provided he has SingPass, a password for permanent Singapore citizens, necessary in order to use online government services.
Enclose a passport-size photograph taken within the last three months. Ensure that you're photographed in front of a white matte background, have no headgear (except for religious reasons) and your face is clearly visible.
Include a "Letter of Introduction for Visa Application." This is actually a form, known as Form V39A, which your host in Singapore must complete. If you're part of a travel group, your agent will be responsible for that. Otherwise, contact your host and ask him to complete the form and send it to you by mail. If you're unable to do that, contact your country's embassy in Singapore to issue you a letter.
Make a photocopy of your passport (the pages with your personal details), as well as your host's Singapore Identity Card.
Visit your local Singapore embassy or consulate and submit the necessary documents. You can find your local embassy through GoAbroad.com (see Resources). If further documents are needed, the embassy will require them translated if they're not in English. The processing fee is 30 Singapore dollars, which is nonrefundable, regardless of the application's outcome.
