Passports must be valid for at least six months from the day of arrival. Citizens of the EU, some Commonwealth countries and the USA do not need visas.

Foreign nationals intending to enter Singapore to take up employment or to establish a business must apply for employment passes before arrival. Approval or permission is usually granted before entry, and finalised after arrival. Professional visit passes permitting short-term work assignments in Singapore are issued to foreign nationals such as consultants, installation personnel and entertainers.

Dependants' passes must be stamped into the passports of the spouses and children of all persons to whom employment passes have been issued. Applications for these passes may be obtained from the Department of Immigration after arrival and must be signed by the employment pass holder.

Prohibited entry

Entry may be refused to male visitors whose hair reaches below the collar or extends over the ears or eyebrows. Despite its informal atmosphere, Singapore has tough laws against drug trafficking. People convicted of trafficking more than 15 grammes of heroin can face the death penalty.

Customs

Personal effects are duty-free.

Prohibited imports

Include: chewing gum, chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products, cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape, controlled drugs and psychotropic substances, endangered species and by-products, firecrackers, obscene articles, publications, video tapes and software, reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes or disks, records or cassettes, or seditious and treasonable materials.

Currency advice/regulations

There are no restrictions on the import or export of currency. Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted.

Getting there

Travelling to and inSingapore

Travelling in Singapore

Car Hire is expensive and probably not worth it unless travelling to Malaysia. Parking can be difficult and expensive. Driving is on the left, the speed limit is 50km/hour (80 - 90km on the expressways). Wearing a seat-belt is compulsory, in the front and back of the vehicle.

Taxis are the fastest and easiest way to get around in comfort. They are excellent value for money, metered and air-conditioned. There are a number of operators and with more than 20,000 taxis on the road finding one is not usually a problem (unless it is raining). Taxis can be booked in advance for a small extra charge. The basic flag-down amount starts at S$2.80.

Smoking is illegal in taxis.

Comfort Cablink
Tel: (65) 6552 1111
 
Comfort Premier Cabs
Tel: (65) 6552 2828
 
City Cab
Tel: (65) 6552 2222
 
TIBS Premier Cabs
Tel: (65) 6555 8888

Buses

SBS Transit (SBS) and SMRT buses cover the Island and are cheap, mostly air-conditioned and efficient. Routes for all the buses are listed in the (S$2.00) Transitlink Guide available at most MRT stations, bus interchanges and major bookstores. All buses are operated by a driver only so it is necessary to have the exact fare to hand. Fares range from S$0.90 to S$1.80 and run from 6am until midnight.

Singapore Sightseeing

The Open-top HiPPO offers a great panoramic view. HiPPO travels to Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Historic Civic District, Esplanade, Sentosa, Botanic Gardens, Suntec and Orchard with every 25 minutes departure covering 34 stops across the city.

Singapore Sightseeing Pass for a day’s unlimited travel at S$23/Adult, $13/Child (ages 3-12). Please visit their website:www.tourist.com.sg

MRT

Singapore has one of the most technologically advanced, user-friendly rail (metro) systems in the world. The trains run at regular intervals, are clean and air-conditioned. It is well connected to the bus system. There are three main Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines and three Light Rail (LRT) system in Singapore. However, the Government has plans to expand the rail network to cover the entire island.

Fare stages are posted in station concourses. Fares range from S$0.90 to S$1.90. For convenience, a standard S$15 stored value EZ-Link fare card, can be purchased at vending machines at MRT stations. It allows cashless payments on buses and MRT trains.

Travel routes to Singapore

By Air - As an international crossroads in South East Asia, Singapore is within easy reach of all key points in the region. Over 82 scheduled airlines operate through Singapore's Changi Airport flying to 189 cities in 60 countries. There are regular daily flights between the UK and Singapore with at least 7 direct flights per day each way. Changi airport is efficient and clean and regularly voted the world's leading, or favourite, airport.

By Sea - Singapore claims the world's busiest port. Passenger lines serve Singapore from Europe, Australia, USA, India and Hong Kong. Ships either dock at the HarbourFront or anchor in the main harbour with a launch service to shore.

From Malaysia

(By Train) Three fully air-conditioned express trains make the trip daily between Singapore (Tanjong Pagar Railway Station) and Kuala Lumpur (Keretapi Tanah Melayu station). The journey takes 7-8 hours and costs between S$34-$68 one-way (depending on class of travel).

(By Road) It takes approximately 5 hours to drive by taxi or private car from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on the North-South Highway. There are two crossings to Malaysia, the Causeway (S$1.20 toll) to Johor Bahru and the newer (and quieter/quicker) Tuas Second Link (S$4.60 toll). The North-South Highway is well maintained and free-flowing (except on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur) but there are a number of tolls (approximately £10 in toll charges).

Long distance bus companies also operate between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur costing between S$30 - S$40 one way.

Singapore is no longer regarded as a risk area for malaria. Drinking water is safe.

Information on health hazards and the precautions to take when travelling abroad can be found in the leaflet "Health advice for travellers' available from main Post Offices.

It is essential to take out full medical insurance when visiting Singapore as there are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between Singapore and the UK.

Dress codes

Dress is generally informal, with light summer clothing the norm. A shirt and tie, or a safari suit, is the usual office dress for men, although jackets may be required in some restaurants for dinner; women should also dress smartly for business. Singapore's predominantly Chinese population follows Western fashion, although a small section among the minority Indian and Malay communities wear traditional dress.

Social customs/useful tips

Singaporeans are highly 'face' conscious and try to avoid self-embarrassment at all time.

Observe local etiquette – suit jackets remain off only as a concession to the climate, otherwise Western-style business formalities are in place.

Visiting cards are essential (although government officials do not use them). The cards should be presented with both hands. As a courtesy, it is a good idea to have cards printed in both Chinese and English. Cards should never be written on, put away before the meeting is over, or left behind.

When addressing Chinese persons, family or surname is mentioned first. When addressing Malay persons, the first of their two family names is used. Singaporean Indians use many different conventions. Men and women should not touch each other. The heads of children should not be patted.

Tipping is not customary; it is not illegal, but is officially discouraged. In hotels and restaurants a 10 per cent service charge is included in the bill.

On-the-spot fines can be imposed for some offences. Smoking is not permitted in public buildings and restaurants, and is restricted in other public places.

Singapore celebrates the religious and cultural festivals of its four major communities, and therefore the year is punctuated by a series of colourful festivals. Celebration of the Chinese New Year, the main event in the Chinese calendar, centres on traditional reunion dinners and visits to friends and relations. Business people should avoid visiting at Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year, Islamic and Hindu religious holiday periods.

Security

Tourists can walk the streets without fear of being robbed or attacked.

Public holidays

Fixed dates

1 Jan (New Year's Day), 1 May (Labour Day), 9 Aug (National Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day).

Variable dates

Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Vesak Day, Diwali (Deepavali) (Hindu Festival of Lights), Hari Raya Haji (Eid al Adha), Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al Fitr).

Owing to its multi-ethnic composition, Singapore celebrates a wide range of religious festivals and holidays in addition to those listed. Many festivals are based on a lunar calendar, while the dates of some are only finalised at the last minute. Check with the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board for exact dates and locations affected.

The Islamic year contains 354 or 355 days, with the result that Muslim feasts advance by 10–12 days against the Gregorian calendar. Dates of feasts vary according to the sighting of the new moon, so cannot be forecast exactly.

Islamic year 1426: 10 February 2005 to 30 January 2006.

Working hours

During the Lunar New Year, many Chinese firms close for the whole week.

Banking

Mon–Fri: 0930–1500; Sat: 0930–1200 (selected banks only).

Business

Mon–Fri: 0830–1730; Sat: 0830-1230