Singapore Travel Guide: Essential Tips, Insights & Helpful Resources

Importance — Why this matters today

• Singapore attracts millions of international visitors each year.

• Travelling without awareness of local laws and entry requirements can lead to denied entry, fines, or other difficulties (for example, for prohibited items, overstaying visas, or health-related rules).

• For travellers from countries like India or elsewhere, being informed helps in smooth planning — from passports and visas to health declarations, travel documents and local laws.

• Knowing current rules ensures compliance with Singapore’s public health, customs, and immigration regulations.

Recent Updates — What’s changed or trending lately

Overall: entry and border procedures have become smoother and more technology-driven, making travel to Singapore more convenient — but travellers must still follow the rules.

Laws or Policies — What you must know before/while travelling

Because Singapore has strict regulations, visitors must be aware of:

Entry & Immigration Requirements

• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you intend to leave Singapore.

• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) processes entry; some travellers must apply for a visa in advance.

• All visitors (except certain travellers) must submit an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) up to 3 days before arrival. This is required for immigration clearance.

Customs, Prohibited Items & Controlled Goods

• Items like vapes / e‑cigarettes, vape juices, nicotine pods, etc., are strictly banned. Possession or import may lead to heavy fines or imprisonment.

• Import/sale of chewing gum (non-medical), counterfeit goods, certain weapons, uninspected wildlife products, etc., are prohibited. Violations may lead to confiscation, fines, or legal action.

Health & Vaccination Requirements

• If arriving from (or having recently visited) countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, you must present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever. Travellers without it may face quarantine under the Infectious Diseases Act.

• Though COVID-19 restrictions have largely been lifted (as of 2025), travellers should still check for any public health advisories before travel.

Stay Conditions & Visa/Visit Pass

• Short-term visitors may be given a “Visit Pass.” Overstaying or engaging in paid employment while on a short-term visit pass is not permitted.

• Having sufficient funds and proof of onward/return travel may be required at immigration.

Tools and Resources — Helpful resources for planning your visit

• Official SG Arrival Card e‑Service (for pre‑arrival health/travel declaration) — required for most travellers.

• Official website of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) — for visa information, arrival rules, customs & prohibited items list.

• Travel advisory from foreign affairs/embassy pages (for travellers from India or other countries).

• Health advisory resources — for vaccination requirements (e.g., yellow fever), travel immunisation info, local disease alerts (dengue, mosquito-borne).

• Local laws & customs guides — for customs restrictions, prohibited items (drugs, chewing gum, weapons, counterfeit goods).

• Official transport / border update portals — to check changes in entry/exit processing (e.g., automated clearance, QR code for land crossings).

• General travel‑advice platforms — for safety, scams, local emergency services contacts, and visitor behaviour norms.

FAQs — Common questions and answers

What documents are essential to enter Singapore as a tourist?
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you leave Singapore; if you come from a visa-required country, a valid visa; and you must submit the SG Arrival Card before arrival.

Do travellers still need COVID‑19 vaccination or tests to visit Singapore?
As of 2025, COVID‑19 related border restrictions — such as mandatory vaccination proof, pre‑departure tests or quarantine — have largely been removed for most travellers.

Are there items I must avoid carrying into Singapore?
Yes. Items such as vapes/e-cigarettes, non‑medical chewing gum, counterfeit brand products, unpermitted weapons, certain wildlife products and unlicensed media/materials are prohibited.

What happens if I overstay my Visit Pass?
Overstaying or engaging in paid work while on a short-term visit pass is not allowed and may lead to penalties, deportation or legal consequences by immigration authorities.

Do I need any special vaccination if travelling via certain countries before arriving in Singapore?
If you have travelled through or stayed in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission in the six days before arriving, you need a valid International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever. Without it, you may face quarantine under the Infectious Diseases Act.

Conclusion

Singapore remains a top travel destination due to its modern infrastructure, cleanliness, safety, and well‑organized tourism system. That said, strict immigration, customs, and public-health rules mean travellers need to come prepared. Understanding entry requirements, prohibited items, documentation procedures (like SG Arrival Card), and local regulations will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Checking up-to-date official sources before booking your journey — especially if travelling from a country like India — is always advisable.