Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Singapore
About
| Singapore is a spotlessly clean city and crime is virtually non-existent, so it rightly deserves its claim to being one of the world's safest places to visit. Go shopping in Singapore City's Orchard Road - the ‘Fifth Avenue' or ‘Oxford Street' of Singapore, and just as bustling, with its vast malls selling luxury items. Take a trip along Singapore River aboard a bumboat. These were once used to ferry goods to and from larger ships moored in the harbour, and nowadays offer an excellent way to see the contrasting historical and modern architectural styles of the city. Take the short trip across to Sentosa Island, with its many and varied attractions ranging from theme parks to an aquarium, a cable car ride, the Sky Tower, nature trails and plenty of bars and restaurants. Enjoy panoramic views over Singapore island and beyond from the 165m tall Singapore Flyer, the world's highest Ferris wheel attraction, at Marina Bay. |
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| Official Name: | Republic of Singapore |
| Local Name: | Republik Singapura |
| Capital: | Singapore (SIN) |
| Currency: | Singapore Dollar (SGD). Brunei Dollar is also legal tender. US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Yen and Pounds Sterling may also be accepted |
| Language: | English. Chinese Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are also spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 65 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +8 (6 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to Go: | February – September (except May and June which are the hottest months) |
| Best For: | Orchard Road (world class shopping), Religious Sites, Chinese and Japanese Gardens |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. British-style square three-pin plugs are in use. Many hotels have 110-volt outlets. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | The family name is usually given first. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and temples, and people’s homes. Dress is informal, but some restaurants may have a dress code (jacket and tie). |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited in public places. Citizens are very law abiding and fines are issued for offences from littering to eating on public transport. It is advisable to obey all information / regulatory signs. There are heavy sentences for drug-related crimes. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Singapore is hot and humid all year around, be sure to carry bottled water with you when sightseeing and travelling as dehydration is very common. Be respectful when photographing, especially religious buildings. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Singapore by travellers aged 18 years and older without incurring customs duty: • 1L of spirits • 1L of wine • 1L of beer • Goods to the value of S$600 (if out of the country for more than 48 hours) or S$150 (if out of the country for less than 48 hours). There is no duty-free allowance for cigarettes and tobacco products. These allowances do not apply if arriving from Malaysia or if you've spent less than 48 hours out of Singapore. If you don't use your allowance of spirits, then you may import an additional 1L of either wine or beer without incurring customs duty. Alcohol is expensive in Singapore, so bringing in duty-free drinks within these limits is a popular way to save a little money. You can find further information on the Singapore Customs website (www.customs.gov.sg). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Chewing gum, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes and other ‘imitation tobacco products’, cigarette lighters of revolver or pistol shape, controlled drugs or psychotrophic substances, firecrackers, endangered species of wildlife and their by-products, all pornographic films and literature, reproduction of copyright material, and seditious or treasonous material. The penalties for possession of narcotics are severe and visitors not complying with drug regulations do so at the risk of death. A permit is required in order to import various restricted items. These include animals and their by-products, meat, fruit, vegetables, fish, arms, explosives, bullet-proof clothing, toy guns, weapons, films, videos, video games, publications, audio records, pharmaceuticals, poisons, telecommunication and radio communication equipment and radioactive materials. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Export permits are required for items including arms, ammunition, explosives, animals, telecommunications equipment, film, videotapes and discs, precious metals and stones, and drugs and poisons. |
Issuing Authorities
High Commission of Singapore
980-982 Francis Baard Street (formerly Schoeman Street), Hatfield, Pretoria
Tel: 012 430 6035
E-mail: singhc_pry@mfa.sg
Web: www.mfa.gov.sg/pretoria
Mon - Fri
8.00 am to 1.00 pm
2.00 pm to 4.30 pm
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 29-30; Mar 31; Apr 18; May 1, 12; Jun 7; Aug 9; Oct 20; Dec 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 17-18; Mar 21; Apr 3; May 1, 27, 31; Jun 1; Aug 9-10; Nov 8-9; Dec 25
Visa Requirements
SA passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of maximum 30 days.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Have minimum 6-month passport validity from departure date
- Return tickets / proof of onward travel
- All travellers must fill in the SGAC declaration within 3 days before arrival (eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/)
- Sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore
NOTE: Travellers on short-term visit pass are also not permitted to engage in any business, professional or paid employment activities when in Singapore. Overstaying is also a punishable offence in Singapore.
SA Representative
SA High Commission in Singapore
15th Floor, Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore
Tel: 0065 6339 3319
E-mail: singapore.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/singapore/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
