24th Jan 2008
Travel to Singapore has just been made easier for visitors who require visas, according to the Consulate of the Republic of Singapore, who recently announced the appointment of two new visa processing agencies in Dubai.
The move will help accommodate the significant increase in the number of visa requests to Singapore from the UAE
The newly-appointed agencies, VSA Versatile Service Agency (Al Safa Towers, Shaikh Zayed Road; Tel: 04-332 9133) and Uranus Travel & Tours (Sultan Business Centre, Tel: 04- 335 5559) will accept visa applications from Saturday to Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and 9am to 8pm respectively.
In order to expedite things, a user-friendly web-based system called Submission of Application for Visa Electronically (SAVE) will be used to process the visa applications.
"Singapore has always been a very desirable and convenient destination for travellers from the Middle East, and the launch of this new service will make it even easier to travel to the Lion City from 2008," said Dileep Nair, Singapore’s Consul General in Dubai.
SAVE will help boost security by enabling the Consulate to issue visa stickers with security- embedded features that can pre-empt forgery and electronically link all stored information to Singapore checkpoints and missions around the world.
"The Singapore Tourism Board is delighted by these positive developments in visa application procedures, which we believe will further drive our impressive visitor growth from the UAE," said Jason Ong, Area Director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.
While UAE nationals do not need visas to visit Singapore, citizens of a range of countries across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia require one. They are encouraged to visit Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.mfa.gov.sg/dubai to check the list of countries that require visas for travel to Singapore.
The Singapore Consulate will continue to offer emergency visa processing at its new central location in Satwa.
Getting its act together
Lacking natural attractions, Singapore has embarked on a major campaign to spruce up its tourist appeal. A Formula One race at night, a flyer – an iconic architectural marvel of a giant wheel of 43 storeys giving a panoramic view of the city through a capsule, integrated resorts, marine parks and new botanical gardens are among a host of other attractions which the Asian nation will be offering to the discerning traveller this year.
http://www.xpress4me.com/life/travel/singapore/20005373.html
