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Singapore
Country Specific Information
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May 12, 2008
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 4.6 million inhabitants (including permanent residents
and foreign workers) comprises 75% Chinese, 14% Malay, 9% Indian and 2% others. English is widely spoken. Criminal penalties
are strict and law enforcement rigorous; see sections on “Entry/Exit Requirements,” “Special Circumstances,” and “Criminal
Penalties,” below, for further details. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Singapore for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa if their visit is for business or social purposes and their
stay is for 90 days or less. Travelers to the region should note that Singapore and some neighboring countries do not allow
Americans to enter under any circumstances with fewer than six months of validity remaining on their passport. Female U.S.
citizens 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 a U.S. embassy concerning the nationality
the child will acquire at birth.
Specific information about entry requirements for Singapore may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
at 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 537-3100. Visit the Embassy of Singapore’s web site at http://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ for the most current visa information.
Find more information about dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: In 2001, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a terrorist organization with links to Al Qaeda, planned attacks in Singapore against government and private targets associated with the United States, Singapore and other countries. These plans were disrupted and the JI organization in Singapore was dismantled. On February 27, 2008 suspected JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from detention in Singapore. His current whereabouts are unknown. Singapore remains a target of interest for terrorist groups. The Department of State remains concerned because extremist groups in Southeast Asia continue to demonstrate the desire and capability to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Americans residing in or traveling to Singapore and neighboring countries should therefore exercise caution, especially in locations where Americans and other Westerners live, work, congregate, shop or visit. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant about their personal security and surroundings.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For
general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the
Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
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.. Visitors should be aware that credit card fraud is on the rise and should practice standard precautions to avoid falling victim of credit card fraud: do not carry multiple credit cards on your person; do not allow credit cards to be removed from your sight; avoid giving credit card information over the phone and use only secure internet connections for financial transactions.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. 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.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
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 U.S. 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.
Despite vigorous mosquito eradication efforts in Singapore, from time to time Singapore experiences a spike in the number of dengue fever cases. Outbreaks tend to be clustered in residential areas, but there have been no reports of clusters in primary tourist areas, such as the Night Safari, the Singapore zoo, or Orchard Road.
In January 2008, a new strain of the viral disease Chikungunya was detected in Singapore. A dozen cases of the disease, which like Dengue Fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, were documented. There were no deaths. Unlike prior cases in Singapore, these cases were contracted locally and the outbreak centered around guest worker housing on Clive Street.
Information on dengue fever, vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. 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. Motorists should be particularly aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings. Lanes are frequently closed
without warning due to construction throughout the city. Public transportation and taxis are abundant, inexpensive, and reliable. Visitors
should consider using this form of transportation. 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
major roads. As with all laws in Singapore, those involving traffic rules, vehicle registration, and liability in case of
accident are strictly enforced, and failure to follow them may result in criminal penalties. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
Singapore has one of the worst road-fatality records among developed countries. In 2007, 2.6 deaths were logged for every 10,000 vehicles in Singapore, compared to 0.8 in Japan, 1.2 in Australia and 1.8 in the United States. For specific information concerning Singaporean driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Singaporean National Tourist Board located at 590 Fifth Ave., Twelfth Floor, New York, NY 10036, tel. 1-212-302-4861 or fax: 1-212-302-4801.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Singapore’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
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. Singapore customs authorities’ definition of "weapon" is very broad, and, in addition to firearms, includes many items which are not necessarily seen as weapons in the United States, 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 checked baggage will also be inspected for regulated items.
It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Singapore in Washington, DC at 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 537-3100, http://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ for specific information regarding customs requirements. You may also visit Singapore Customs’ web site, http://www.customs.gov.sg/. Singapore customs officials encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA carnet headquarters located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA carnet in the United States. For additional information, please call 1-212- 354-4480, or send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org or visit http://www.uscib.org/ for details.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products
are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries
with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2004/2004_Special_301/Section_Index.html.
Please see our Customs Information.
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.
Americans may be asked by police, employers or hotels to surrender their passports in lieu of surety (guaranteed) bonds. Americans
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, or hotel employees).
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. Male
U.S. citizens 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 acquires Singaporean citizenship at birth retains that status even after acquiring the citizenship
of another country, including U.S. citizenship.
Males may renounce Singaporean citizenship only after having completed at least two years of national service. U.S. citizens
are subject to this law. Dual nationals, Singapore Permanent Residents, and their parents should contact the Ministry of Defense
in Singapore to determine if there will be a national service obligation. For additional information, please see the Bureau
of Consular Affairs’ web site for our dual nationality flyer, and contact the Ministry of Defense Central Manpower Base (tel. 65-6373-3127), or visit http://www.ns.sg/nsPortal/appmanager/nsp/default?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=nsPortal_NSREG_ABT&nsp_community=ENLIST.
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) are allowed to renounce
their Singapore citizenship, but not before they turn 21. Until then, they are required to register for national service with
Central Manpower Base and apply for a deferment. After turning 21, they are then eligible to renounce their Singapore citizenship
and, if successful will not be required to serve NS and may continue to make short social visits to Singapore.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe in Singapore than for similar offenses in the United States, 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. Trafficking charges
may be brought based on the quantity of illegal drugs in a subject’s possession, regardless of whether there is any proven
or demonstrated intent to distribute the drugs. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Singapore
has a mandatory death penalty for many narcotics offenses. Singapore police have the authority to compel both residents and
non-residents to submit to random drug analysis, and do not distinguish between drugs consumed before or after entering Singapore
in applying local laws.
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 the United States. 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 that may be handled as civil suits in the United States 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.
There are strict penalties for those who possess or carry arms, or who commit crimes with arms. Singaporean authorities define
“arm” as any firearm, air-gun, air-pistol, automatic gun, automatic pistol and any other kind of gun or pistol from which
any shot, bullet or other projectiles can be discharged or from which noxious liquid, flame or fumes can be emitted, and any
component part thereof. This definition also includes any bomb or grenade and any component part thereof. The unlawful possession
of any arm or ammunition could result in imprisonment and caning. Any person convicted of committing a crime with an arm could
receive punishment which could result in the maximum penalty of imprisonment for life and caning.
Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable
in the United States. In Singapore, local law prohibits causing or encouraging prostitution of, or engaging in sexual relations
with, a female below the age of 18. An indecent assault against anyone, male or female, regardless of age, is also prohibited. Those
convicted of facilitating or abetting the prostitution of any woman or girl could be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5
years and a fine of $7,100 or both. If the crime involves a female below the age of 16, the offender faces an additional charge
carrying a possible sentence of imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of $2,000 or both.
Singapore enforces strict laws pertaining to the propriety of behavior between people, and the modesty of individuals. The
Singaporean law “Outrage of Modesty” is defined as an assault or use of criminal force on any person, intended to, or knowing
it to be likely to, outrage the modesty of that person. Penalties may include imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine, caning,
or a combination thereof. Men are sometimes accused of inappropriately touching other people, often women, resulting in their
prosecution and punishment under this Singaporean law.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web site.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Singapore are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site and obtain updated information on travel and security within Singapore. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508, tel. [65] 6476-9100, fax [65] 6476-9340; web site http://singapore.usembassy.gov/. In case of emergencies after working hours, the duty officer at the Embassy may be contacted by calling tel. [65] 6476-9100.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated September 11, 2007, to update sections on Country Description, Safety
and Security, and Medical Facilities and Health Information.
