Travelling Around S.e Asia. Technically "overstaying" If We Get A Return.

[potterfan3]

Hello

My fiancée and I are planning to travel around South East Asia very soon. We have discovered that getting a return flight to Singapore from the UK is considerably cheaper than a single from the UK to somewhere in S.E Asia and another single back to the UK from another place.

We are only allowed to stay in Singapore (visa free) for 30 days, however we want to leave Singapore after just a few days to travel around other countries in S.E Asia for about 2 months. After these 2 months we would ideally return to Singapore to fly back to the UK on this cheap return ticket.

Problem is, the tickets will make it look like we are planning to stay in Singapore for longer than 30 days. We're worried we'll run into trouble with Immigration when we arrive!

Does anybody know if this will be a problem?

Thanks very much :)

[EDDIE51]

I don't know but these people will , ask them
https://app.stb.gov.sg/asp/mis/cont.asp

[Hymie]

There must be many people who organise such travel itineraries - whereby the return flight is outside their visa free time limit, without problems.

But just to be on the safe side, I would make sure you have proof of your onward travel to other countries (trains/planes/hotel bookings etc). That way if any questions are asked – you have reasonable proof that you do not plan to overstay the visa time limit.

Normally immigration staff would not be aware of your flight ticketing arrangements.
That said – many years ago a friend arrived in Australia without a return or onward ticket; apparently foreigners were not allowed entry without such a ticket. I don’t know if that is still the case when visiting Australia.

[237SJ]

When you fly into Singapore, you will complete a landing card which will be reconciled when you depart for your onward destination. When you fly back into Singapore on your way home, you will complete another landing card. Singapore Immigration will know that you haven't been in the country for the whole of that time.

[potterfan3]

Thanks for the answers. We've emailed the High Commission in London, best off getting an answer directly from the horse's mouth.

[237SJ]

...and they'll tell you what I've just told you :-)

[potterfan3]

They said we'd just need to make sure we have a ticket out of Signapore within the 30 days to show to Immigration, and it'd be fine.