Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nThere are severe consequences for drug related crimes in Singapore. Evidence of drug use in your system on arrival or in transit will lead to refusal of entry or arrest. See Entry requirements and Safety and security pages for more information.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Singapore set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Singapore High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Singapore, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nIf you are resident in Singapore, there is no minimum passport validity required. Apply for a renewal before your passport expires.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nSingapore does not recognise dual nationality beyond the age of 21. A citizen of Singapore is required by Singapore law to renounce any other nationalities before the age of 22 in order to retain their Singaporean citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Singapore without a visa for tourism or business. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority decides who can enter Singapore and how long they can stay. The period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the immigration officer. It is normally between 30 and 90 days for British citizens.
\n\nPenalties for overstaying the time allowed include fines, imprisonment, caning and deportation depending on how long you have overstayed. When arriving and departing Singapore, biometric details, including your fingerprints are recorded electronically.
\n\nYou must complete an electronic SG Arrival Card in the 3 days before you arrive in Singapore. This online form asks for travel details and a health declaration. It is illegal to submit a false declaration. Biometric information is also recorded and scanned when you enter and depart Singapore (iris, face and fingerprints).
\n\nPenalties for drug possession, including cannabis, are severe. If you are carrying or transporting drugs, you can be imprisoned, caned or executed.
\n\nYou can be screened for drugs in your system on arrival in Singapore, including if you’re in transit. You can be charged with drug consumption or detained without trial even if the drugs were taken in another country, including countries where the use of that particular drug is legal. See Illegal drugs
\n\nThere are different entry requirements if you are crew working on ships, small vessels, or pleasure crafts arriving at one of Singapore’s ports or marinas.
\n\nTo enter Singapore, if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk for yellow fever, or if you have been in such a country in the previous six days prior to arrival, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination. If you arrive from one of these countries without a certificate, the authorities may put you in mandatory quarantine or refuse you entry to Singapore.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Singapore guide.
\n\nThere are strict laws that prevent private homes being used for short-term rental, including for tourists.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Singapore. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIt’s illegal to import controlled drugs. If convicted, you could be imprisoned, caned or executed.
\n\nThe following items are also illegal to bring into Singapore:
\n\nSee the complete list of prohibited items on the Singapore Customs website.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Singapore cannot be ruled out.
\n\nViolent crime and theft are rare in Singapore. Take care of your passport. Leave valuables in a hotel safe if possible. Do not leave bags unattended.
\n\nOnline scams and phone scams are common and may involve individuals pretending to be officials or bank employees.
\n\nThe public display of the national flags or emblems of other countries is illegal except where a specific exemption has been granted. It is illegal to use the Singapore flag and national symbols in ways considered disrespectful.
\n\nPolice may give you an on-the-spot fine for littering. Acts of vandalism including graffiti carry harsh penalties such as fines, imprisonment and caning.
\n\nDisrespecting or intimidating a public official can be illegal. There is zero tolerance for bribery in Singapore and any attempt to bribe or otherwise prevent an official from carrying out their duties can lead to arrest.
\n\nUse of false ID is illegal in Singapore. Foreigners living in Singapore are issued with an official identity card.
\n\nYou should avoid any action that could be interpreted as molestation. Penalties for convicted offenders include fines, imprisonment and caning.
\n\nSome scams involving false claims of molestation and extortion have been reported.
\n\nThe authorities do not tolerate drunk and disorderly behaviour. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place, besides restaurants, bars and licensed entertainment venues, between 10:30pm and 7am.
\n\nYou could be arrested for:
\n\nPenalties for convicted offenders include fines, imprisonment and caning.
\n\nGeylang and Little India are ‘Liquor Control Zones’ (PDF). Drinking in these areas is banned all weekend, on public holidays and on the eve of public holidays.
\n\nVapes and e-cigarettes are banned in Singapore. It is illegal to bring them into the country, including for personal use. Those found in possession of vapes or e-cigarettes will have them confiscated and could be fined.
\n\nYou must be 21 or over to purchase, use, own, sell or supply tobacco products in Singapore.
\n\nSmoking is banned at all public parks, all beaches and along certain waterways. Orchard Road is a No Smoking Zone. Make sure you smoke in designated areas only.
\n\nThere are severe penalties for all drug offences in Singapore, including possession. Carrying even a small amount of drugs can have significant consequences.
\n\nYou can be charged with trafficking (‘intent to sell’) for possessing drugs above a certain amount. You can be detained without trial. Sentences include prison terms, caning and the death penalty, including when transiting through the airport.
\n\nAirports in Singapore have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nSee the Misuse of Drugs Act for information on definitions and penalties.
\n\nIf you’re arrested, you might not be allowed to speak with anyone, not even a lawyer while you are questioned.
\n\nDo not offer money to officials. You can face further charges or penalties for any attempt to bribe or prevent an official from carrying out their duties.
\n\nSee our guides on Singapore’s legal and criminal system and being arrested or detained abroad to find out how we can help.
\n\nIf you’re under police investigation, the authorities will take your passport and return it once the investigation is over. If you’re convicted, your passport will be held until you’ve served your sentence.
\n\nIn most cases, you will not be allowed to leave Singapore while the case is open. There is no set timeline for investigations. You must be able to support yourself financially during this period.
\n\nThe British High Commission cannot interfere in the criminal and legal process in Singapore.
\n\nA death penalty is a possibility for some offences, including murder and drug trafficking. Penalties for drug offences are severe and possession of even very small quantities can lead to a death penalty.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Singapore. However, the law does not recognise same-sex marriage and partnerships. This means, for example, that foreign residents cannot easily get a dependant’s pass for a same-sex spouse or partner. A child from a same-sex partnership may not be recognised as the child of one or both parents.
\n\nIt is possible to change legal gender in Singapore, subject to medical procedures.
\n\nLGBT+ support groups and social venues exist in Singapore.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThe following are liable for National Service:
\n\nSpecific questions on National Service can be put to Singapore’s Central Manpower base, email: contact@ns.sg.
\n\nFor further information, see the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
\n\nAvoid street gatherings and public demonstrations as they will be illegal if they do not have police permission. Foreigners who are not permanent residents are prohibited from attending outdoor demonstrations regardless of police permission. Filming an illegal gathering is forbidden. The wearing of ‘cause-related’ clothing and displaying ‘cause -related’ banners is prohibited in public.
\n\nIt is illegal for foreign nationals to give a talk publicly on ‘racial, communal, religious, cause-related or political topics’ without a permit.
\n\nBoth public and private Jehovah’s Witness meetings are illegal in Singapore. It is also illegal to possess any Jehovah’s Witness publication, including a Jehovah’s Witness bible. There are similar measures against the Unification Church and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Singapore, see information on driving abroad and read the Singapore Highway Code.
\n\nYou can drive with a UK driving licence for up to 30 days. After that you need a 1949 international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK driving licence.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nYou cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. If you’re staying in Singapore on a longer term pass or you’ve become a permanent resident, you must get a Singaporean driving licence to drive.
\n\nDriving under the influence of alcohol carries serious penalties including imprisonment. The traffic police regularly carry out breath tests.
\n\nIf you’re involved in an accident, you must stay at the scene if there has been damage or injury. You must provide contact details and inform the police within 24 hours.
\n\nIf you are arriving in a car that is not registered in Singapore, visit the OneMotoring website to apply for a vehicle entry permit.
\n\nVehicles leaving the country will be checked against police records.
\n\nThe Singaporean authorities will prosecute cases of drunken or antisocial behaviour by air passengers on any aircraft registered in Singapore.
\n\nThere have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the waters of Singapore and the Malacca Strait. Set up secure areas on board and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 995 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Singapore, including :
\n\nHand, foot and mouth disease is common in Singapore with more serious outbreaks from time to time. Young children are particularly at risk.
\n\nFrom June to October Singapore can experience high levels of pollution (haze) from land clearance fires in Indonesia. The haze can cause disruption to local and regional air travel and may have an impact on public health. Monitor the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) updates and health advisories from the Singapore government.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nCheck to see whether you need approval from the Health Sciences Authority to bring in medication from the UK.
\n\nNot all medicines from the UK are available in Singapore. Make sure you have a prescription from your GP and check with a doctor in Singapore who may be able to issue a prescription for a local equivalent. See the HCI Directory for a listing of licensed healthcare institutions.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nHealthcare in Singapore is of a high quality and expensive. English is almost universally spoken in Singapore, so all hospitals, whether private or public, will have English-speaking medical staff.
\n\nTake enough medication for your stay and carry it in your hand baggage. Make sure you have travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and possible medical repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Singapore.
\n\nThere is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Singapore.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nIf you need emotional support during your visit, you can call:
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance and fire: 995
\n\nPolice: 999
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Singapore on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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