Singapore decided on March 22 to close the boundaries of all short-term visitors from all over the world, closing the airport – Changi Airport – for transit for travelers from all countries. The change will take effect on Monday, March 23, at. 23:59 local time. For more information about coronavirus and outbound/entry, see Health.
Safety
Most trips to Singapore are made without special problems. Crime is low, but general care should be taken.
Singapore generally has much stricter penalties than Norway. Small offenses such as littering, spitting and smoking in public places can be punished with fines, while more serious crimes can also be punishable by strokes, imprisonment and the death penalty.
The risk of terrorist incidents in Singapore is considered low, but there have been several terrorist attacks in other parts of Southeast Asia. The Singaporean authorities have high readiness for any terrorist attacks against Singapore.
Singapore’s geographical location and climate mean that the country is generally protected against natural disasters.
Sexual intercourse between men is prohibited by law, but the provision is very rarely enforced.
Norwegian citizens staying for a shorter or longer period in Singapore are encouraged to register on reiseregistrering.no.
Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance.
In an emergency, the Norwegian Embassy in Singapore can be contacted on +65 68 18 20 00 or emb.singapore@mfa.no. Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on +47 23 95 00 00 or UDops@mfa.no. Phone to police is 999, ambulance and fire department 995.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement and upon arrival in Singapore are automatically granted a 90 day stay. Passport must be valid for six months upon entry.
For further information on entry rules to Singapore, please see the website of the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) or contact Singapore’s Honorary Consulate General in Oslo or Singapore’s nearest embassy (London or Berlin).
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents are valid. Violation of the 90-day period can be punishable by fines, imprisonment and beatings.
Emergency pass is accepted upon entry. Travel documents for refugees (green travel document) and travel document for people on humanitarian grounds (blue travel document) are accepted together with a visa, which can be applied for at Singapore’s nearest embassy (London or Berlin).
Work and study permits are usually obtained upon arrival in Singapore.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): The virus has also been detected in Singapore.
Singapore decided on March 22 to close the boundaries of all short-term visitors from all over the world, closing the airport – Changi Airport – for transit for travelers from all countries. The change will take effect on Monday, March 23 at 11:59 pm local time.
The tightening means that tourists, including Norwegian tourists and Norwegians traveling, can no longer use Singapore as a midnight Monday night transit.
Nationals of the country and persons with permanent residence permits (Permanent Residents) will still be able to arrive in the country, and will then go in either quarantine or home quarantine depending on travel history.
Persons with a temporary work permit will after this time only enter the country if they work within critical social functions (eg health care, transport).
Updated information on the virus situation and new travel restrictions in Singapore can be found at Updates on covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) local situation .
Travelers to Singapore are also encouraged to follow up on health advice prepared by the Institute of Public Health.
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The standard of healthcare in Singapore is high and the overall health situation is good. Note, however, that dengue fever and zika may occur.
Singapore has a well-developed health system with both public and private hospitals. Health and sanitation are about the same as in Norway. Tap water can be drunk.
Travelers and residents of Singapore should be aware that dengue fever occurs. The virus infects via mosquitoes that mainly bite during the day in urban areas. There is no specific treatment for the virus once infected, and complications may occur. More information can be found on the Public Health Institute’s website.
The Zika virus has occurred in Singapore. From May 3, 2017, Norwegian health authorities have changed the advice for pregnant women and other travelers to areas with zika. More information can be found on the Public Health Institute’s website.
Forest and peat fires in Indonesia and Malaysia that cause heavy haze (“haze”) can occur during the summer and fall months. The fires can affect air quality in Singapore. If the concentration of contamination is high, the nozzle can be irritating and harmful to people with respiratory problems.
All travelers are advised to familiarize themselves with Singaporean legislation on the import of medicines into Singapore. If you need to introduce medicines for your own use, you must have a medical certificate documenting the need. This must be signed by the doctor and stamped in English. In addition, for some medications, permission must be obtained in advance, and this must be applied for at least ten working days before arrival. More information can be found here.
Vaccination certificates are not required when travelers come from Norway without staying en route to countries where epidemics occur.
Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance.
Practical information
Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance.
English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil are official languages. English is the administrative working language.
Time difference to Norway is + six hours summertime, + seven hours winter time.
In Singapore 230 volt voltage is used. The sockets usually have three holes (similar sockets in the UK). Adapter is often needed.
According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from Norway to Singapore is +65. Phone to police is 999, to ambulance and fire department 995.
It is left-hand traffic in Singapore. The road standard is good and the traffic flows well. Norwegian driver’s licenses can be used for up to one year. There are good public transport (metro, bus) and affordable taxi.
The currency unit in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD), where $ 1 = 100 cents. Most credit cards can be used in stores and restaurants, but some places only accept cash.
The opening hours of the shops vary, but it is common to stay open from 10-22 every day, Sundays included For an overview of Singaporean holidays and public holidays, see this overview.
It is neither common nor expected with tips in Singapore, but ten percent “service charge” is usually automatically included in bills.