Singapore

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 five million inhabitants comprises 75 percent Chinese, 14 percent Malay, 9 percent Indian, and 2 percent 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’s Fact Sheet on Singapore for additional information.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Singapore, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only and may not be completely 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. Public transportation and taxis are abundant, inexpensive, and reliable. All bus stops and trains have panels indicating all routes and stops. You should consider using these forms of transportation. 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. 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. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.

For specific information concerning Singaporean driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). STB has two offices in the United States: New York - 1156 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 702, New York, NY 10036, tel: 1-212-302-4861, fax: 1-212-302-4801, or via e-mail; and Los Angeles - 5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1550, Los Angeles, CA 90036, tel: 1-323-677-0808, fax: 1-323-677-0801, or via e-mail. For general visitor information, please visit STB’s website.

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.

Safety and Security

While Singapore is considered generally safe, extremist groups in Southeast Asia have launched attacks in neighboring countries. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets, and U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Singapore and neighboring countries should therefore exercise caution and remain vigilant about their surroundings, particularly in areas where U.S. citizens and other Westerners live, work, congregate, shop, or visit.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Singapore on Twitter and visit the Embassy's website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: The crime rate in Singapore is generally low. Even so, you should exercise caution when in congested areas and 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.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. Embassy. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Singapore is 999 for police response and 995 for fire/emergency response.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.