Travel Information

Entry & Visa Requirements

Entry into Singapore is facilitated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

Visa Requirements

If you hold a travel document issued by one of the countries or places listed below, you will require a valid Singapore entry visa to travel to, and seek entry, into Singapore. 

Possession of a valid visa does not guarantee entry into Singapore. Please refer to entry requirements for more information.

Please note the following:

• SG Arrival Card is not a visa. Please refer to SG Arrival Card e-Service for more information.
• Valid visa holders are required to adhere to the latest travel requirements and advisories, where applicable.

A Singapore entry visa is a pre-entry permission for the holder of a valid visa to travel to, and seek entry, into Singapore.

The grant of an immigration pass will be determined by the ICA officers at the point of entry. The period of stay granted is not tied to the validity of your visa.

From 11 March 2022, all foreign visitors arriving in Singapore will be notified digitally of their Visit Pass (e-Pass) through email. There will not be any endorsement on your passport. The e-Pass notification will indicate the period of stay granted and last day of stay allowed. Please ensure that you provide a valid email address when submitting the SG Arrival Card.

If your travel document is issued by one of the countries/ places listed below, you will require a valid visa to enter Singapore. Click on individual countries/ places to find out more.

Visa Free Transit Facilities

Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, India, Turkmenistan and Ukraine; as well as Nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) holding other travel documents issued by the PRC* (excluding ordinary, diplomatic, public affairs and service passports) may be eligible for the Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF). Please refer to Visa-Free Transit Facility for more information.

*These include the PRC Travel Document, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Document of Identity (DOI) and Macau SAR Travel Permit.

All travellers are required to submit your SG Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore. Please ensure that you provide a valid email address when submitting the SG Arrival Card. Kindly note that the SG Arrival Card is not a visa.

Things to note when submitting the SG Arrival Card:

• Submit your SG Arrival Card within three (3) days prior to the date of arrival in Singapore. For example, travellers arriving in Singapore on 30 Jun 2020, can only submit their declaration from 28 Jun 2020 onwards. This is to avoid unnecessary delays during immigration clearance.
• Submit your SG Arrival Card via https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ or through the official “MyICA” mobile application that can be downloaded for free from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Beware of potential phishing sites if you choose to submit the SG Arrival Card through unofficial channels.
• Submission via the official SG Arrival Card e-Service is free of charge. ICA does not support or endorse services offered by commercial entities who provide assistance in submitting the SG Arrival Card at a fee. Please refer to advisory for more information.

At the landing page of the SG Arrival Card e-Service, please proceed with the submission by selecting Foreign Visitors.

You will receive an acknowledgement upon successful submission.  All travellers are strongly encouraged to submit their SG Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore, as those who have not done so will be required to submit on arrival before they can proceed for immigration clearance. This will delay their immigration clearance unnecessarily.

USEFUL INFORMATION

To make your trip to Singapore as enjoyable as possible, here is some general information to note.

Weather

Singapore is hot and humid all year round, with temperatures usually reaching over 30°C. Be prepared for rain at any time, which can be very heavy but usually brief.

Language

English is one of the official languages in Singapore. Many Singaporeans also speak an additional language, usually Mandarin Chinese, Malay or Tamil.

Time Zone

Singapore Standard Time (SGT) is 8 hours ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC +8).

Currency

The official currency in Singapore is Singapore Dollars (SGD).

Electrical Power Plug/Socket

The standard electrical current used in Singapore is 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles). Power plugs are type G with three square prongs, as in the UK and Hong Kong.

Tipping

Tipping is encouraged for good service. Such tips would be in addition to the standard 10% gratuity added to the bill by some restaurants and hotels.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed in air-conditioned places, such as shopping malls or restaurants. There are designated smoking areas in some entertainment outlets and open-air eateries.

Drinking Water

Tap water in Singapore passes World Health Organization standards, so it is safe to drink. Bottled water is also readily available.

Visitor Centers

Drop by one of the city’s conveniently located visitor centers to get more information about Singapore, purchase tickets to attractions or buy souvenirs.
Click here for a list of all visitor centers.

Connectivity

Visitors can register for a free public Wi-Fi account with their foreign mobile numbers at any Wireless@SGx hotspot. Overseas charges may apply. Alternatively, prepaid local SIM cards are available from telcos M1, Singtel and StarHub, which provide access to Wireless@SGx.
Click here for more details.

Useful Tools

Whether you need to find a museum, restaurant or the nearest MRT station, there are many useful smartphone apps to help you explore Singapore.
Download more Singapore travel information here.

Tax Refund

Tourists can claim a refund on the 9% goods and services tax (GST) paid on purchases over $100 (including GST) at participating shops. To know whether a shop participates in the Tourist Refund Scheme, look for a “Tax Free” shopping logo or sign displayed at the shop. These logos are displayed above for your ease of reference. Alternatively, feel free to check with the friendly staff if your purchases are eligible for GST refund.
Read more about GST here.

Travel Insurance

It is advisable to obtain travel insurance for your time in Singapore.