|
Expatriates
Employment Pass
Permanent Residence
Student Pass
Seeking
Employment Short-Term
Employment Recruitment Vehicle
Entry Permit
Conversion of foreign driving licence
Singapore Websites
Clearance of Travellers through Customs (important)
|
Travellers to declare currency or bearer negotiable
instruments over S$30,000 |
|
From 1 November 2007 onwards, persons who
move into or out of Singapore physical currency1 or bearer
negotiable instruments2 (CBNI) the total value of which
exceeds SGD 30,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) will be
required to give a report by filling up a form and submitting it to the
authorities. |
|
The form is available at all checkpoints,
police establishments, Singapore Visitors Centres and branches of
Singapore Post... |
|
More..... |
|
Maps for Tourists
|
To
get free copies of maps & brochures on Singapore, including
Singapore Official Guide, please click HERE. |
Not
illegal for security guards to hold NRIC
Foreigners to get no subsidy at polyclinics from 2006
New 10 VEP-free days scheme & shorter VEP operating hours Foreign-registered
cars need not have in-vehicle unit from Sep 2003
Easing
of visa requirements for citizens of China from 1 Nov 2003
|
Amendments
to the Immigration Act |
|
"..in
2003, ICA repatriated
more than 11,800 foreigners who had either entered Singapore
illegally or violated the conditions set out in their immigration
passes. |
|
To enable swifter repatriation of
these undesirable foreigners, clause 16 will empower the Controller
to seize monies found in possession of any prohibited immigrant to
cover any expenses incurred by the Government in connection with his
or his dependents' detention, maintenance, medical treatment and
removal from Singapore. |
|
More..... |
|
VISA FREE entry into Singapore is available for
the following:
- citizens of the British Commonwealth (except India and Pakistan)
|
The following are
members of the British Commonwealth -
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize,
Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica,
Fiji Islands, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India
(need visa),
Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru,
New Zealand, Nigeria,
Pakistan
(need visa), Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South
Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and
the Grenadines, Swaziland, The Bahamas, The Gambia, Tonga,
Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United
Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
-
citizens of Australia, Belgium, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway,
Republic of Ireland, South Korea, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United States
|
ASEAN
Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption
Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2006 |
|
The Governments of Brunei
Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of
Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the
Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the
Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Member Countries of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hereinafter
referred to individually as “Member Country” and collectively
as “Member Countries”... |
|
Member Countries,
where applicable, shall exempt citizens of any other Member Countries
holding valid national passports from visa requirement for a period of
stay of up to 14 (fourteen) days from the date of entry, provided that
such stay shall not be used for purposes other than visit. Citizens of
Member Countries who enter another Member Countries for other purposes
or for a stay exceeding the days allowed under the laws and regulations
of the host countries are required to apply for appropriate visas or
passes...
|
|
More..... |
|
They are
allowed entry into Singapore for 30 days automatically. However, they
must meet these requirements or the length of stay
may be shortened: - validity of
passport must be at least 6 months or longer - must have
cash of S$600 or equivalent in other currencies (to ensure visitor has
sufficient means, just in case) - must have
return ticket
They must apply for a Social Visit Pass if they wish to stay longer than
30 days. Application forms may be obtained from:
SIR Building 4th storey Information/Queue Ticket Counter Of course, if
the visitor, before expiry of his 30-day visit pass, goes over to Johore
Baru and then comes into Singapore again, that visitor will get a fresh
14 to 30-day visit pass. Less hassle, really. Tourists who have
come into Singapore and then gone over to visit Malaysia for a short
while will get a 14-day tourist visa when they re-enter Singapore at the
Johore checkpoint. If they need a longer-term tourist visa, they can
explain their situation to the Immigration Officer at Johore checkpoint
to try to obtain a longer-term tourist visa of up to 30 days. However,
if the Immigration Officer is unwilling to grant such a visa, the
tourist should:
1. first obtain the standard tourist visa of 14 days stay
2. visit Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) HQ at 10 Kallang
Rd Singapore to get an extension. This should be done about 3 - 4 days before departure from
Singapore. The tourist has to bring along a local sponsor. But, if the
tourist has no local sponsor, he/she has to declare that fact to the
Immigration Officer processing the extension. The whole process - from
application to approval - takes only about two hours. There is a fee
of S$40 for any extension of pass accumulating to a period of 3 months
or more from the date of entry and for every subsequent extension
accumulating to 3 months or more. The issue of a visa is S$20, where
applicable.
|
Citizens
of Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam
From 10 Nov
2003, citizens of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam holding
ordinary passports will not need a visa to visit Singapore
if they stay in Singapore for not more than 30 days. Those
who wish to work or study in Singapore are still required to
apply for the appropriate work passes or student's pass.
Source: ICA
Press Release 6 Nov 2003 |
ENTRY VISAs are required for visitors from the
following countries:
|
Foreigners holding
travel documents issued by the following countries will require a
visa to enter Singapore:
-
Afghanistan
-
Algeria
-
Bangladesh
(Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
-
Commonwealth of
Independent States* (Except Diplomatic/Official/Service
passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days )
-
Armenia
-
Azerbaijan
-
Belarus
-
Georgia
-
Kazakhstan
-
Kyrgyzstan
-
Moldova
-
Russia
-
Tajikistan
-
Turkmenistan
-
Ukraine
-
Uzbekistan
-
Egypt
-
India (Except
Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
-
Iran
-
Iraq
-
Jordan (Except
Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
-
Lebanon
-
Libya
-
Morocco
-
Myanmar (Except
Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
-
People's Republic of
China
(Except Diplomatic/Service/Public Affairs
passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days)
-
Pakistan
-
Saudi Arabia
(Except Diplomatic passport holders)
-
Somalia
-
Sudan
-
Syria
-
Tunisia (Except
Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
-
Yemen
In addition, visitors
holding Hong Kong Document of Identity, Macao Special
Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Palestinian Authority
Passport, Refugee Travel Document issued by the Middle-East
countries and Temporary Passport issued by United Arab Emirates
will also require a visa to enter Singapore.
* Nationals of the
Commonwealth Independent States may be granted entry into
Singapore without visas if they are on transit to a third country.
However, they are required to fulfil the following conditions:-
-
They are in transit
to a third country;
-
They hold a valid
passport, a confirmed onward air-ticket, entry facilities
(including visa) to the third country and have sufficient funds
for the period of stay in Singapore;
-
They continue their
journey to the third country within the 96-hour visa free period
granted; and
-
They satisfy
Singapore's entry requirements. As in all arrivals, the grant of
the social visit passes to travellers will be determined by the
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at the Singapore
Checkpoints.
Updated: 29 Jan 2007
Source:
Immigration & Checkpoints
Authority
|
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has a 24-hour hotline at
Tel: (65) 6391 6100. Please remember this is an automatic-answering
service which means you will be listening to a computer if you call
after their office hours and you may not get the type of information you
need.
Their office hours: Mon -
Fri 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Sat
8.00 am to 1.00 pm When I
need urgent information during odd hours, especially for replies in
response to queries from website visitors, I usually call Immigration
& Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) airport
phone line at Tel: (65) 6542 1122. That way, I get to speak to someone,
not a computer and I get answers straightaway.. If that
method is inconvenient because you are overseas, please e-mail your
request to us. We will get the information for you as soon as we can.
|
Excerpt of a letter dated 5 Jul
2000 to Forum, The Straits Times by Sharon Wong, Deputy Head, Publicity
& Media Relations, Singapore Immigration & Registration.
|
|
Singapore welcomes all
foreign visitors and SIR would, as far as possible,
facilitate the entry and stay of bona fide visitors.
Multiple-journey visas are
meant for foreigners who need to travel in and out of Singapore
frequently, such as businessmen, those working here on valid
work passes or staying with family on long-term social-visit
passes.
Those who wish to visit
neighbouring countries from Singapore can also apply for the
appropriate visas by providing their itinerary at the point of
application.
Other bona fide visitors
are granted a 30-day visit pass at the entry point if they meet
our immigration requirements.
For most visitors, the
period of stay granted is sufficient for their purpose. Those
who need to remain beyond the validity of their visit passes may
apply for an extension of stay at the Visitor Services Centre,
SIR Building. Applications are normally processed in the same
day, if submitted before 3pm.
|
For more information,
click HERE!
ARTICLES
-
Check your eligibility for Singapore PR or citizenship
online
-
Use of MyKad & cancellation of Malaysian restricted passports
-
Workplace Safety and Health Act replaces Factories Act
-
Food items individual travellers may bring into Singapore -
Student
Protection Scheme for international students
- Guidelines
on employment of foreign students
- Illegal
employment/deployment of foreign domestic workers
NEWS SNIPPETS
2008
|
MOH to recognise more foreign dental degrees |
|
From 1 January 2008, all dental schools
accredited by the American Dental Association and the Canadian Dental
Association will be added to the Schedule of the Dental Registration
Act. |
|
The addition of 48 American dental schools
and 7 Canadian dental schools will increase the number of recognised
foreign dental schools in the Schedule from the current 34 to 89. The
list of new and current dental schools can be found in Annex A... |
|
More..... |
|
2007
-
Singapore welcomes 10 millionth visitor
|
Singapore Labour Market 3rd quarter 2007 |
|
Total employment expanded by 58,600 in Q3
07, up substantially from the increase of 43,000 in Q3 06, making it the
second highest quarterly increase after the 64,400 recorded in Q2 07... |
|
1,827 workers were retrenched in Q3 07, an
improvement from 2,472 in Q3 06 and 1,918 in Q2 07[2]. This brings the
total number retrenched in the first nine months of 2007 to 5,709, much
lower than 9,388 in the same period last year... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Reduced hospital subsidies for non-citizens |
|
From January 1, 2008, non-PR foreigners will
not receive any healthcare subsidy. PRs will continue to be subsidised
for hospital services, but at 5 percentage points less than citizens. |
|
From July 1, 2008, another 5
percentage-point reduction will be applied... |
|
More..... |
|
|
New foreign workforce measures to meet strong market
demand |
|
With effect from 1 January 2008, the S Pass
quota for all sectors will be increased from 15% to 25%. The new S Pass
quota will come entirely from companies' Work Permit quota which will be
increased for all sectors. Companies can therefore employ more S Pass
holders, in lieu of Work Permit holders, hence improving the quality of
their foreign workforce... |
|
To strengthen our
global talent attraction and retention efforts, refinements will be made
to the PEP scheme. Foreign professionals whose last drawn fixed monthly
salary overseas was at least S$7,000 will be eligible for a PEP. The PEP
will also be granted to former P1 Employment Pass holders upon
application. |
|
These changes
will take effect from 1 March 2008. Existing and new P1 pass holders
working in Singapore that apply for the PEP ahead of the 2-year
requirement will be accorded in-principle approval. They can apply to
take up the PEP at the end of 2 years on their current P1 pass... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Singapore
Workforce 2007 |
|
The continued tightening of the labour
market this year has also led to significant gains in income and a
reduction in the number and share of low wage workers... |
|
Excluding the
extreme age bands, the employment rate for those aged 25 to 64 edged up
to a new record of 76.5% from 75.5% a year ago. Supported by efforts to
improve employability of older workers, the employment rate of older
residents aged 55 to 64 rose by 2.5%-points over the year to 56.2% in
June 2007.. |
|
More..... |
|
|
HIV cases
on the rise in 2007 |
|
Out of the164
Singaporeans detected to be HIV infected in the first six months, about
93% of the new cases detected this year were males and 7% were females. |
|
Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV
transmission among Singaporeans. Of the 164 cases reported in the first
6 months of 2007, 155 cases acquired the infection through the sexual
route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 67% of infections,
homosexual transmission 24% and bisexual transmission 3%. Intravenous
drug use (4 cases) accounted for 2%... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Employment situation in 3rd Quarter 2007 |
|
Employment continued to grow strongly as the
economy maintained its rapid expansion. Preliminary estimates show that
employment grew by 57,600 in the third quarter of 2007... |
|
Services continued to lead the employment
gains, adding 34,500 workers in the third quarter of 2007. Manufacturing
posted gains of 11,800. Driven by the growth in building activities,
construction increased its workforce by 10,800, continuing the rapid
increase of the previous quarter... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Singapore population in 1990, 2000 and 2006 |
|
Total Population by
Residential Status for 1990, 2000 and 2006 (Mid-Year Estimates)[1]
|
Year
|
1990
|
2000
|
2006
|
|
Total Population
|
3,047,100
(100.0%)
|
4,027,900
(100.0%)
|
4,483,900
(100.0%)
|
|
Singapore Citizens
|
2,623,700 (86.1%)
|
2,985,900 (74.1%)
|
3,145,800 (70.2%)
|
|
Permanent Residents
|
112,100 (3.7%)
|
287,500 (7.1%)
|
462,700 (10.3%)
|
|
Non-Residents[2]
|
311,300 (10.2%)
|
754,500 (18.7%)
|
875,500 (19.5%)
|
|
|
More..... |
|
|
Travellers to declare currency or bearer negotiable
instruments over S$30,000 |
|
From 1 November 2007 onwards, persons who
move into or out of Singapore physical currency1 or bearer
negotiable instruments2 (CBNI) the total value of which
exceeds SGD 30,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) will be
required to give a report by filling up a form and submitting it to the
authorities. |
|
The form is available at all checkpoints,
police establishments, Singapore Visitors Centres and branches of
Singapore Post... |
|
More..... |
|
|
159 Foreign Medical Schools recognised in Singapore |
|
The Ministry of Health and the Singapore
Medical Council (SMC) will be including an additional 19 leading
international medical schools to the Schedule of the Medical
Registration Act with effect from 1st October 2007... |
|
Included are 6 medical schools from China, 4
from India, 4 from Japan, 2 from Taiwan and 1 from South Korea. 2 more
medical schools from Europe have also been added... |
|
Singaporeans graduating from any of the 159
international medical schools can also come back to Singapore, to
supplement the number graduating from our own medical schools... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes
(Confiscation of Benefits) Act passed |
|
Clause 11
of the Bill makes it mandatory for anyone physically
carrying currency and bearer negotiable instruments or
CBNI, above S$30,000, into or out of Singapore, to
declare this to the authorities at the checkpoints... |
|
The threshold amount of
S$30,000 is based on the recommendation by the FATF,
and includes not only currency in circulation, but
also bearer negotiable instruments such as travellers
cheques, money orders, cheques, bonds and promissory
notes... |
|
Hence, for clarity, a crossed cheque
made payable to a specific person with the word “bearer” deleted
is not considered a bearer negotiable instrument because only the
person named on the cheque can receive the amount stated on it. |
|
The new measure would be
non-discriminatory and will be imposed on all travellers,
including citizens, residents and foreigners, entering and exiting
the country. |
|
The penalties for non-declaration and false
declaration are a maximum fine of S$50,000 or a term of imprisonment of
up to 3 years or both... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Employer-financed insurance for medical expenses of
foreign workers |
|
The Ministry of Manpower will require
employers to purchase and maintain insurance for the medical expenses of
foreign workers from 1 January 2008. |
|
This requirement is being implemented in
tandem with the withdrawal of healthcare subsidies for foreigners1,
which was previously announced by the Ministry of Health. The
requirement will apply to: |
- All new and existing foreign workers
on Work Permit or S Pass from 1 January 2008.
- All new foreign domestic workers, and
existing foreign domestic workers when employers renew their Work
Permits, from 1 January 2008.
|
|
More..... |
|
|
Singapore conducts major multi-agency maritime
security exercise |
|
"Led by the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN)
Coastal Command (COSCOM), this annual exercise involves some 2,000
personnel from the RSN, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and
the Army, as well as the Police Coast Guard (PCG), the Maritime and Port
Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the Immigration & Checkpoints
Authority (ICA)..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Sleight Of hand culprit nabbed |
|
On 19 August 2007 at about 3.15pm, an
Iranian man was arrested for an offence of theft by sleight of hand. The
man had earlier managed to steal money from foreigners by asking to see
their foreign currency. |
|
More..... |
|
|
New dog licensing rules from 1 Sep 2007 |
|
"All licensed dogs must be
microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip. |
|
"Dogs that were licensed before 1 Sep
07 will be exempted from the requirement. However, owners of such
dogs are strongly encouraged to have their dogs microchipped for
better traceability... |
|
"Under the new Rules1, the
annual licence fee for all unsterilised dogs (both male and
female) is $70 while the licence fee for sterilised dogs is
$14..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Employment situation in 2nd Quarter 2007 |
|
"Preliminary estimates show that total employment grew
by a record quarterly high of 61,900 in the second
quarter of 2007, as the economy continued its strong
growth... |
|
"Employment grew in all
the major sectors, led by services which added 33,600
workers. Manufacturing posted gains of 16,600, higher
than earlier quarters..." |
|
More.... |
|
|
Iconic Hotel Phoenix closes on 1 August 2007 |
|
"In line
with the major construction that is happening on our
neighbouring sites, the owners of Hotel Phoenix
Singapore will be discontinuing operations at the
Hotel on 1 August 2007 for a refurbishment. |
|
"While we
are sad to do so after 35 years of operations, we
believe the refurbishment of Hotel Phoenix will add
value to the rejuvenation of Orchard Road and
contribute to the Government's vision of strengthening
Orchard Road's appeal as a major retail, commercial
and entertainment belt..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Rehabilitation regime for first and second-time
abusers of cannabis and cocaine |
|
"The aim
of the treatment and rehabilitation regime is to give
first and second time abusers a chance at
rehabilitation without the stigmatisation of a
criminal record... |
|
"Recalcitrant abusers with two previous records for
consumption of cannabis or cocaine or that of opiates,
synthetic drugs or buprenorphine who are arrested
again for the consumption of any of these drugs would
be liable for long term imprisonment under the Long
Term (LT) Imprisonment Regime, if convicted..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Minister answers questions on Singapore permanent
residents |
|
"In 2006, about 57,000 persons were granted
permanent residency status in Singapore. These new permanent residents (PRs)
came predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian countries... |
|
"In 2006, about 13,000 persons were
granted Singapore Citizenship (SC). These new SCs came
predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian
countries..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Passports (Amendment) Bill passed |
|
"Thus, this Bill repeals the existing Act, and
re-enacts a new Passports Act which introduces measures against
the abuse and misuse of Singapore passports and travel documents,
as well as foreign travel documents... |
|
"Clause 45 of the Bill makes it compulsory for
Singaporeans, or a person who has parental responsibility for a
Singaporean aged 16 and below, to report the loss or theft of a
passport within 14 days when he first knows of the fact... |
|
"Clause 23 of the Bill allows the Controller to refuse passports to
persons for law enforcement reasons, such as to persons who have
been placed under supervision under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This
will ensure that they do not indulge in drug-related activities
overseas. Others who may be refused passports include those who
are the subject of warrants of arrest issued for seizeable
offences... |
|
"A person who is found guilty of giving away his Singapore
passport or travel document and is reckless as to whether it will
be misused by another person for travel or for identification
purposes will face a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to
three years, or both..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Five Vietnamese nationals arrested for stealing spree |
|
"Police arrested two men and three women,
aged 22 - 37 at the airport yesterday after they were found with nine
pieces of luggage containing more than 350 pieces of new garments... |
|
"Preliminary investigations revealed that
about 30 of the items in their possession were found
to be stolen from shops in the Orchard area..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
New Woodlands mini checkpoint for motorcyclists opens |
|
"Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will open
an additional clearance zone for motorcyclists with
effect from 5 July 2007. |
|
"This new
mini checkpoint will be an extension of the existing
Woodlands Checkpoint, and will operate up to five
hours daily from 5am to 10am..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Apple
Scam Cheats Nabbed
|
Phasing out of temporary registered doctors for
service provision |
|
"Only temporary medical registration for service provision is being
phased out by 31 Dec 2007. |
|
"Existing temporary registered doctors brought in as service providers
before 1 Jan 2008 can still continue to work here until they either
become conditionally registered (acquired recognized postgraduate
qualifications) or they have completed their 4-6 years of service in
Singapore..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Tightening of security of Non-Biometric Passports |
|
"ICA will be
tightening the security of non-biometric passports by adopting the same
security measures as those implemented on the Singapore biometric
passport (BioPass). |
|
"Hence, with effect from 1 September 2007
(Saturday), photo update services for non-biometric passports will no
longer be available. Non-biometric passport holders who no longer
resemble their passport photo are advised to update their photos before
1 September 2007... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Changi Airport's Terminal 3 to start operations on 9 Jan 2008 |
|
"Airlines, airport agencies, ground
handlers, shop tenants and other airport business partners operating at
Changi Airport's new Terminal 3 can start to move in and set up their
offices and systems to prepare for operations... |
|
"Terminal 3 and its associated works cost
S$1.75 billion. It will have a handling capacity of 22 million
passengers per year, bringing the total annual passenger handling
capacity of Changi Airport to about 70 million..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Changes to
childcare subsidies for PRs |
|
"From 1 January 2008, PR children aged 2
months to below 7 years will only be eligible for half the current
amount of centre-based child care subsidy. |
|
"From January 2009, such children will not
be eligible for the subsidy..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Singapore
Public Holidays 2008
|
Two policemen die in boat collision while pursuing
illegal immigrants |
|
"Two Police Coast Guard (PCG) officers had
been killed and an unknown number of illegal immigrants gone missing
after the boats which the PCG officers and the illegal immigrants were
in respectively collided at the sea off Tuas last night... |
|
"Two other fellow crew mates on board the
same PCG boat had been rescued. Three illegal immigrants had also been
rescued, together with the recovery of a body of a fourth illegal
immigrant..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
140 Foreign Medical Schools recognised in Singapore
|
Singapore Labour
Market 2006 |
| "Total
employment creation for the whole of 2006 rose to an
all-time high of 176,000, surpassing the previous
year’s gains of 113,300. This brought the total number
employed to 2,495,900 persons as at December 06... |
| "On
average, 67,500 residents were unemployed in 2006,
down from 74,900 in 2005 and the high of 91,200 in
2003..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Immigration
