Singapore money, SIM cards and arrival basics

Question 1

Do I need a visa to visit Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors don't need a visa, but holders of travel documents from the countries and places on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's visa list do. A visa only lets you seek entry: the officer at the checkpoint decides, and sets how long you may stay. Check your passport against the list before you book, since the SG Arrival Card doesn't replace a visa.

Question 2

Do I need to submit the SG Arrival Card before arriving?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every visitor entering Singapore must submit the free SG Arrival Card, with its health declaration, within three days before arriving, including the day of arrival. Use the official e-Service or the MyICA app, because sites that charge a fee are not affiliated with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Passengers transiting without clearing immigration can skip it.

Question 3

What currency does Singapore use, and where can I change money?

Accepted Answer

Singapore uses the Singapore dollar, written S$. Money changers must hold a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which publishes a directory of licensees, and Changi has changers in every arrival hall plus bank ATMs open 24 hours. We'd change a small amount there and use a card or an ATM for the rest.

Question 4

Which SIM card or eSIM should I get as a tourist in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Singtel, StarHub and M1 all sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs, with plans from about S$10 to S$12. You can buy a SIM at the counters in Changi's arrival halls, while an eSIM needs an eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone, and StarHub's eSIM is data-only with no local number. We'd order an eSIM before you fly if your phone allows it, and buy a SIM at arrivals if not.

Question 5

Do I need my passport to buy a SIM card in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, registering a prepaid SIM or eSIM is mandatory in Singapore, so you show your passport or another ID when you buy. A SIM registered with a passport stays valid for 30 days, and keeping the number longer means re-registering at a shop with a Singpass or a Singapore-issued ID.

Question 6

Is there free Wi-Fi in Singapore for visitors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Changi Airport has free Wi-Fi throughout its public and transit areas, and Wireless@SGx hotspots serve visitors with foreign mobile numbers. Changi's network needs no registration, while Wireless@SGx asks you to download its app, and overseas charges may apply. A local SIM or eSIM is the easier way to stay online across the island.

Question 7

What plug and voltage does Singapore use?

Accepted Answer

Singapore uses 230 volts at 50 hertz and the three-pin type G plug, the same as the UK, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Pack a travel adaptor if your plug is a different shape. Round-pin Schuko plugs made for the German market aren't suitable here, so use a suitable adaptor, such as a fused conversion plug, rather than forcing one in.

Question 8

Can I pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at shops that take them: NETS QR accepts Alipay+ wallets, and the UnionPay app and WeChat Pay work at selected merchants. Scan the NETS QR code or SGQR label at the till; Alipay and Touch 'n Go eWallet are among the Alipay+ apps. Cards and phone wallets such as Apple Pay work more widely, so keep one as a back-up.

Question 9

What time zone is Singapore in, and does it have daylight saving?

Accepted Answer

Singapore keeps one time zone, GMT+8, with no seasonal clock change. It has used that offset since 1982, when it moved forward half an hour to match Malaysia. If your home clocks change with the seasons, the gap changes with them, so check it before you book calls home.

Question 10

Do I have to declare cash when I enter or leave Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must report more than S$20,000 in cash or bearer negotiable instruments, or the foreign equivalent, to the Singapore Police Force when you enter or leave. File the traveller form online in the 72 hours before you arrive or leave, through the MyICA app, the e-727 service or your SG Arrival Card. Failing to report can bring a fine of up to S$50,000, jail of up to three years, or both.

Question 11

How much alcohol can I bring into Singapore duty-free?

Accepted Answer

You can bring in duty-free liquor if you are 18 or older, have spent at least 48 hours abroad and are not arriving from Malaysia. Pick one combination: 1 litre of spirits with 1 litre of wine or beer, 1 litre each of wine and beer, 2 litres of wine, or 2 litres of beer. Cigarettes get no concession, and vapes and gum are banned outright, so see rules and fines.