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Visa requirements, security, medical & other essential information
The following information will give you the basic facts you need to know before starting out on your trip. Visa requirements, security concerns, local medical facilities and laws vary tremendously across the Asia Pacific region, so it is important that you know the facts for your destination and don't arrive without a visa or inadvertently break a local law! The information on this page is intended to give you an overview - please be sure to confirm entry requirements with your travel agent when purchasing your ticket.
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Singapore is a small, stable, highly developed country with an elected parliamentary system of government. Tourist facilities are modern and widely available. Singapore's resident population of over 3.48 million inhabitants is comprised of 77% Chinese, 14% Malay, 8% Indian and 1% others. English is widely spoken.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:
A valid passport is required. Visitors do not need a visa if their visit is for business or pleasure and their stay is for 90 days or less. Travelers to the region should note that Singapore and some neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia, do not allow visitors to enter with fewer than six months of validity remaining on their passport under any circumstances.
Female visitors who are pregnant when they apply to enter Singapore for a social visit are no longer required to make prior application through the nearest Singapore overseas mission or to provide documentation from an Embassy concerning the nationality of their child, when born.
Specific information about entry requirements for Singapore may be sought from the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore at 3501 International Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 537-3100.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Since December 2001, Singapore security services have detained more than three dozen members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a terrorist organization with links to Al Qaeda. JI had planned attacks against government and private targets in Singapore associated with Singapore and other countries.
In the aftermath of terrorist bombings in Indonesia in October 2002, August 2003 and September 2004, there are concerns that similar attacks may occur in other Southeast Asian nations because extremist groups present in Southeast Asia have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate.
Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Foreigners residing in or traveling to Singapore and neighboring countries should therefore exercise particular caution, especially in locations where Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including, but not limited to, hotels, clubs, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, tourist areas, resorts, beaches or public recreation events/venues.
CRIME:
Major crimes against tourists in Singapore are uncommon. Petty crimes such as pick pocketing and purse or briefcase snatching occur in tourist areas, hotels and at the airport. Travelers should exercise the same caution that they would in any large city.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and your Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact your Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.
Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Good medical care is widely available in Singapore. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate payment for health services by credit card or cash and generally do not accept foreign health insurance.
Recipients of health care should be aware that Ministry of Health auditors in certain circumstances may be granted access to patient medical records without the consent of the patient, and, in certain circumstances, physicians may be required to provide information relating to the diagnosis or treatment without the patient's consent.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
You are urged to consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those at home. The information below concerning Singapore is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Singapore has a highly developed and well-maintained road and highway network. Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road and motorists should be particularly aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings.
Lanes are frequently closed without warning due to constant construction throughout the city. Public transportation and taxis are abundant and inexpensive. Visitors should consider using this form of transportation, which is widely available and reliable.
The Automobile Association of Singapore provides roadside assistance, and the Land Transport Authority has rescue vehicles on the road at all hours.
In addition, closed circuit cameras monitor all roads. As with all laws in Singapore, those involving traffic rules, vehicle registration, and liability in case of accident are strictly enforced, and they may involve criminal penalties.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Singapore as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Singapore’s air carrier operations.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Singapore customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import and export of items such as weapons, illegal drugs, certain religious materials, pornographic material, videotapes, CDs, DVDs, and software (for censorship or pirating reasons).
The definition of "weapon" enforced by Singapore customs is very broad, and, in addition to firearms, includes many items which are not necessarily seen as weapons in your country, such as dive knives, kitchen knives, handcuffs, and expended shell casings. Carrying any of these items without permission may result in your immediate arrest.
All baggage is x-rayed at every port of entry, so placing such items in checked baggage will not allow you to bring it into the country.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are plentiful in Singapore, and they are the best method of obtaining cash. Bank transfers generally take weeks, and surcharges are steep.
Transfers from commercial services such as American Express and Western Union are generally efficient. Visitors may be asked by police or employers to surrender their passports in lieu of surety (guaranteed) bonds.
Visitors should carefully consider whether they wish to surrender their passport rather than seek some other type of surety, particularly if the passport is requested by someone who is not a government official (e.g., an employer).
Note that Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 21, and it strictly enforces universal national service (NS) for all male citizens and permanent residents.
Males who automatically acquired Singaporean citizenship and continue to reside in Singapore are liable for Singapore national service once they reach the age of 18. Travel abroad of Singaporean males may require Singapore Government approval as they approach national service age and may be restricted when they reach sixteen-and-a-half years of age.
Under Singaporean law, an individual who automatically acquires Singaporean citizenship at birth retains that status even after acquiring foreign citizenship. Males may renounce Singaporean citizenship only after completion of at least two years of national service.
Possession of foreign citizenship does not prevent Singaporean citizens from being subject to this law. Dual nationals and their parents should contact the Ministry of Defense in Singapore to determine if there will be a national service obligation.
National service-liable males who migrated from Singapore before age 11 and have not enjoyed significant socio-economic benefits of citizenship (e.g., applied for a Singapore identity card or studied in Singapore beyond the age of 11) will be allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenship if they do not wish to fulfill their NS obligations.
They will be required to register for national service with Central Manpower Base and apply for deferment from full-time NS until the age of 21, pending the renunciation of their Singapore citizenship.
They can continue to make short social visits to Singapore and will not be required to serve NS if they renounced their citizenship at age 21.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While in a foreign country, a visitor is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those at home and may not afford the protections available to the individual at home.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe in Singapore than for similar offenses at home, and persons violating Singapore laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
There are strict penalties for possession and use of drugs as well as for trafficking in illegal drugs. Singapore has a mandatory death penalty for many narcotics offenses. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Visitors should be aware of Singapore's strict laws and penalties for a variety of actions that might not be illegal or might be considered minor offenses in your country. These include jaywalking, littering, and spitting.
Singapore has a mandatory caning sentence for vandalism offenses and caning may also be imposed for immigration violations and other offenses.
Commercial disputes can escalate to criminal cases in Singapore, and result in heavy fines and prison sentences. There are no jury trials in Singapore, judges hear cases and decide sentencing.
The Government of Singapore does not provide legal assistance except in capital cases; legal assistance may be available in some other cases through the Law Society. |
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