Road Conditions and Safety: Singapore has a highly developed, well-maintained road and highway network. Be aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings.

The Automobile Association (AA) 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.

Traffic Laws: Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. Laws involving traffic rules, vehicle registration, and liability in case of accident are strictly enforced and violations may result in criminal penalties.

Public Transportation: Public transportation and taxis are abundant, inexpensive, and reliable. Bus stops and trains have panels indicating all routes and stops.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Singapore?s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

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. Further information may be found on the FAA safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Singapore should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted via to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings.

Good medical care is widely available in Singapore. Doctors and hospitals:

• expect immediate, up-front payment for health services by credit card or cash
• generally do not accept U.S. health insurance
• may require a substantial deposit before admitting you for any major medical treatment

In certain circumstances, the Ministry of Health may access patient medical records without the consent of the patient, and in certain circumstances physicians may be required to report information relating to the diagnosis or treatment without the patient’s consent.

Employment pass holders are subject to medical exams and may be denied or deported on medical grounds, including for HIV infection. The Government of Singapore recently ceased requiring waivers for tourism and business travel for HIV-positive travelers.

Mosquito-borne diseases: Dengue is active in Singapore and can be monitored at the Singapore National Environmental Agency. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a travel notice for Zika virus in Singapore and most neighboring countries are Zika endemic.

Haze: Air pollution from forest fires in neighboring countries occurs intermittently, usually between July and October. Singapore?s National Environmental Agency?s Haze provides public updates on conditions.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. We cannot provide a letter of guarantee for payment.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Singapore?s Health and Science Authority website on bringing personal medications to Singapore. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor?s prescription.

You should be aware of the following health concerns in Singapore:

• Occasional outbreaks of mosquito-transmitted illnesses
• Air pollution and haze during the summer months

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned, or even caned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

In Singapore, you may be taken in for questioning if you don?t have your passport with you. Travelers should be aware of the following penalties for certain crimes in Singapore:

• Possible arrest for jaywalking, littering, or spitting
• Mandatory caning (a form of corporal punishment) for certain vandalism offenses
• Possible imprisonment, caning, or fines for immigration violations
• Possible imprisonment, caning or fines for sex crimes or sexually inappropriate behavior. Lewd, unwanted behavior, including inappropriate comments, messages, or photography toward women who find it offensive may result in fines and imprisonment (?Insulting the modesty of woman?). If there is unwanted physical contact of any kind involved (?Outrage of modesty?, molestation), the laws are gender neutral and punishments generally more severe.
• Severe penalties for drug-related charges, including the death penalty or caning.
• Strict penalties for those who illegally possess or carry firearms, or who commit crimes with firearms

Singaporean authorities may conduct unannounced drug tests and property searches, including upon entry into the country, on foreign citizens who are suspected of consuming or possessing illegal drugs. Police may require you to provide a urine or blood sample on short notice. A positive finding or an unwillingness to participate can lead to a denial of entry into Singapore, detention and/or confiscation of your passport while under an investigation. Singaporean authorities may arrest and convict any permanent residents of Singapore even if they have consumed illegal drugs outside of Singapore.

Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 22, and it strictly enforces universal national service for all male citizens and permanent residents. To determine if you will have a national service obligation, you should contact the Ministry of Defense.

Drunk and disorderly conduct is treated seriously, and can lead to a fine or imprisonment. As of April 1, 2015, it is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place between 10:30 pm and 7:00 am. The areas of Geylang and Little India are designated as ?Liquor Control Zones? where drinking in public places is prohibited all weekend, on public holidays, and on the eve of public holidays. Under the Liquor Control Act, you could be fined up to SG$1,000 for consuming alcohol in a public place during prohibited hours.

Public Demonstrations: Public demonstrations are legal only at Speakers? Corner in Hong Lim Park and most outdoor public assemblies require a police permit. Singapore amended its laws in April 2017 to forbid foreign nationals who are not permanent residents from observing permitted public demonstrations, assemblies, and processions at Speakers? Corner. The law does not distinguish between participants and observers, so anyone at Speakers? Corner could be considered part of an event. Penalties may be severe, including large fines and/or imprisonment.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: The Singapore Convention of Jehovah?s Witness and the Unification Church continue to be banned by the Singapore government. All written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, publishing arms of the Jehovah?s Witnesses, remained banned by the government.

See our following webpages for additional Faith-based traveling details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report? see country reports
• Human Rights Report ? see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: Singapore does not recognize same-sex unions. The Penal Code criminalizes any ?act of gross indecency? between two men and prescribes a sentence not exceeding two years for those found guilty under this law. The Singaporean government has stated that it will not enforce this section of the Penal Code but it remains on the statute books. The government issues permits for open air events that openly champion LGBTI issues on a limited basis but new regulations restrict foreign involvement. LGBTI individuals may have difficulty gaining employment in certain sectors of the civil service. The Ministry of Manpower does not issue dependent passes (work permits) to partners in lesbian and gay relationships, even if legally married in another country.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Singapore has established a comprehensive code of standards for barrier-free accessibility, including facilities for persons with physical disabilities, in all new buildings and has mandated the progressive upgrading of older structures. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and implementing programs and services in the disability sector.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

While Singapore is considered generally safe, extremist groups in Southeast Asia have launched attacks in neighboring countries. U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Singapore and neighboring countries should exercise caution and remain vigilant about their surroundings, particularly in areas where U.S. citizens and other Westerners live, work, congregate, shop, or visit.

Singapore/Malaysia Border Crossing: You are advised to follow all entry directions, present your passports only to immigration officials, and be sure immigration officials stamp your passport with the correct date upon entering and exiting Malaysia. Lacking correct documentation or proof of entry into Malaysia may result in high fines and detention. 

Messages regarding demonstrations and strikes, explosive devices/suspicious packages, and weather-related events are posted on the Embassy?s website. 

Crime: The crime rate in Singapore is generally low. Even so, you should pay particular attention to personal belongings while in crowded shopping malls and markets, at the airport, and while traveling on public transportation. To avoid 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.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:

Report crimes in the case of an emergency to the local police at 999 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 6476-9100.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Singapore. The U.S. embassy does not have authority to investigate or prosecute crimes in Singapore.

See our webpage on help for U.S. citizen victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim?s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of the central island of Singapore, such as during excursions to neighboring islands or activities at sea, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

To enter Singapore, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended stay. If you plan on regional travel beyond Singapore, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to enter other countries in the region. You do not need a visa for tourist or business visits up to 90 days.

Visit the Embassy of Singapore website for the most current visa information. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to Singapore. Foreign workers applying for an employment pass are required to undergo a medical screening for HIV/AIDS and a positive test will result in the rejection of a foreign worker?s application.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

See the Department of State?s Fact Sheet on Singapore for information on U.S ? Singapore relations.

U.S. Embassy Singapore

27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508
Telephone: +(65) 6476-9100
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(65) 6476-9100
Fax: +(65) 6476-9232
Email: singaporeacs@state.gov