Entry Requirements and Visas
All visitors to Singapore must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Citizens of Australia, the European Union, New Zealand, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Citizens of most other countries can stay without a visa for 30 days or less. If your country is not listed among these visa-exempt nations, you will need to apply for a visa in advance through a local contact in Singapore or at a Singaporean embassy or consulate.
Upon arrival, all travellers must complete a SG Arrival Card online no earlier than 3 days before your arrival date. You can complete this form before you travel or using computers near the immigration desks upon arrival. Once completed, you'll receive an email with a barcode to scan at immigration, and you can declare any currency over $20,000 during this process. Singapore no longer stamps passports for visitors; your entry terms will be sent to your email address instead.
All visitors can use automated clearance gates with no pre-enrollment required. Manual counters remain available for families with children under 6.
Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for citizens of African and South American countries, and for travellers who have recently been to Africa or South America.
Money, Currency, and Costs
The currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities for expatriates and foreign workers, so budget accordingly for accommodation, dining, and activities.
There is no restriction on the amount of money you can bring in or out of Singapore, but you must declare to customs if you are carrying more than $20,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. You can make this declaration on your SG Arrival Card or through the official customs website. Failing to declare exposes you to arrest, heavy fines, and possible imprisonment.
Staying Safe and Emergency Contacts
Singapore ranks highly for personal safety and peacefulness. The country has some of the lowest levels of corruption in the world and is considered a very safe destination for travellers.
Singapore's international dialing code is +65. Keep this number handy when calling local emergency services or contacting your country's embassy if needed.
Be aware that Singapore has extremely strict drug laws. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty applied to everyone, including foreigners. Even possession of small amounts of drugs or being in sterile transit with drugs can result in capital punishment. Poppy seeds are also prohibited as they contain morphine and are classified as a controlled substance. A positive urine or swab test is sufficient grounds for denial of entry and deportation.
Bringing explosives or firearms without a permit is also a capital offense. The importation of certain weapons including shuriken, nunchaku, switchblade knives, butterfly knives, and chain whips is prohibited, and no permits will be issued for these items under any circumstances. Do not attempt to bring any type of weapon into Singapore.
Males who enter Singapore illegally or who overstay their permits by more than 14 days face a mandatory sentence of at least three strokes of the cane.
Health
Singapore has excellent healthcare standards. If you require prescription medications, bring prescriptions with you. If you are bringing more than 3 months' supply of any medication, or if you are bringing sedatives (such as Valium/diazepam), strong painkillers (such as codeine), or CBD-containing medication, you must apply to the Singapore Health Sciences Authority for approval at least 10 working days before your expected arrival.
Staying Connected
Singapore has some of the fastest internet connection speeds in the world. You can obtain a local SIM card upon arrival for mobile connectivity, or arrange an international roaming plan with your home provider. The main airport and most hotels offer WiFi access, and the city has widespread internet availability throughout.
Local Customs and Etiquette
Singapore is a multicultural country with four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the common language used in public services and widely spoken throughout the country, so communication is generally straightforward for English-speaking visitors.
Multi-racialism is enshrined in the constitution and continues to shape national policies. The country has diverse cultural and religious communities, so be respectful of different customs and traditions you may encounter.
Be mindful of Singapore's strict laws regarding various items. Non-medical chewing gum is illegal to import, though customs officers typically do not enforce this for small personal quantities. You cannot bring tobacco products including cigarettes and e-cigarettes into Singapore; failure to declare and dispose of them at customs can result in hefty fines and imprisonment. Pornography and pirated goods may not be imported.
Alcohol may be brought in duty-free in limited quantities: one litre each of wine, beer, and spirits, though the 1 litre of spirits may be replaced with 1 litre of wine or beer. However, travellers entering from Malaysia receive no duty-free alcohol allowance. Alcohol cannot be brought in by persons under 18 years old.
If you are carrying currency exceeding $20,000 or its equivalent, declare it on your SG Arrival Card to avoid legal consequences.