Consular Services

The Consular Section of the Canadian High Commission provides consular services to Canadian citizens residing or travelling in Singapore and is located at:

One George Street, #11-01
Singapore 049145
Tel: (65) 6854-5900
Fax: (65) 6854-5913
E-mail: spore-cs@international.gc.ca

Hours of Operations:
As of October 1^st, 2006 the following Consular Hours will apply for Walk-in Service;
Monday - Thursday: 09:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 15:00
Friday: 09:00 - 12:00
For appointments outside these hours please call (65) 6854.5900

NEW PASSPORT PROCEDURE

CANADIANS IN SINGAPORE CAN NOW OBTAIN A STATE-OF-THE ART, MACHINE-READABLE, DIGITIZED PASSPORT:

In accordance with the National Security Policy designed to increase the security of Canada and its citizens, the Canadian High Commission in Singapore will implement a process that will result in all passports to be printed at the Mississauga Print Centre effective February 20, 2006. The new process is designed to ensure that all Canadians receive the same high-quality, machine-readable, digitized and secure passport whether you apply in Canada or at a passport office abroad.

The service standard for delivery of this new, more secure passport will require up to fifteen working days, which includes courier time for this new product to be delivered from Canada to our office.

Arrest or Detention in Singapore

If you are detained or arrested in Singapore and you wish to have Canadian consular officials notified, you should clearly make that request to the arresting authorities. This can be done through our switchboard 24 hours a day (011-65-6854-5900). The High Commission cannot seek preferential treatment for you nor exempt you from the due process of local law, but it can make every effort to ensure that your treatment by the courts and your conditions of detention are fair and equal to those accorded to local person. At your request, consular officials can assist you in a number of other ways, including notifying your family or friends of the situation, providing a list of lawyers, providing you with information on the local judicial and prison systems and facilitating the transfer of funds to you.

Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/imprisoned_abroad-en.asp

Consular Emergencies Outside Office Hours

If you require emergency assistance, you may access our 24 hour/ 7 day Operations Center in Ottawa at no charge through the following methods:

• Calling the High Commission at (65) 6854.5900 and following the voice prompt;
• Calling toll free 001-800-2326-6831;
• Calling collect (613) 996.8885 (for operator assisted long distance calls, dial 100);
• Email sos@international.gc.ca;
• Online form at www.voyage.gc.ca;
• Fax (613) 943.1054.

Personnel in the Operations Center are trained in dealing with emergency situation and can contact personnel at the High Commission if necessary. Within Canada, the Operations office can be reach by dialling 1.800.387.3124

Citizenship - News  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen/bornout-info.html

The High Commission can provide application forms and information for persons born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent wishing to apply for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate.

Citizenship applications submitted at the High Commission are forwarded to the Registrar of Canadian Citizenship in Canada. Processing time is from 6 to 10 months. Please contact the Consular Section for information regarding the current fee for this service.

Citizenship & Immigration Canada - Web site

Dual Citizenship http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/dual_citizenship-en.asp

Customs

The Canadian High Commission in Singapore does not have a Customs Office. However, you can visit the Canada Border Services Agency's web site for the information.

Returning Canadian travellers must declare all goods acquired abroad. While personal exemptions are available, it is important to keep original receipts for possible inspection. Personal exemptions are available to Canadian residents returning from a trip abroad, a former resident of Canada returning to live in the country or a temporary resident of Canada. Those away from Canada for 24 hours may claim $50 worth of goods, excluding alcohol and tobacco, duty-free. After 48 hours, the maximum claim is $200 and, for those away from Canada for seven (7) days or longer, $750.

Travellers are restricted from entering Canada with certain goods, such as specific meat or dairy products, weapons, plants, vehicles, or exotic animals or products made from their skins or feathers. As well, obscene materials, hate propaganda and goods harmful to the environment are prohibited.

Information and advice to individuals who are moving back to Canada after living abroad is available on the Canada Border Services Agency's web site

For information on the entry of animals into Canada, please contact

Animal Health Division
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2255 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0Y9
Telephone: (613) 952-8000
Fax: (613) 228-6631
Web site

Elections Canada

All Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older, who have been residing outside of Canada for less than five consecutive years since their last visit home and who intend to resume residence in Canada are eligible to have their names added to the register of electors. This five-year limit does not apply to federal or provincial public servants posted abroad, nor to employees of international organizations to which Canada belongs and contributes, who are posted abroad. It also does not apply to the spouses and dependants residing outside of Canada with these electors, nor to the spouses and dependants residing outside Canada with members of the Canadian Forces.

Once on the register of electors, Canadians living abroad can be sure they will receive information on how to vote by special ballot in future federal general elections, by-elections or referendums.

Registration forms and guides will be mailed to you if you so request by phone to the High Commission in Singapore (65) 6854-5900, by fax (65) 6854-5913 or by mail (Consular Section, Canadian High Commission, One George street, #11-00, Singapore 049145). Elections Canada maintains a web site where you may print a copy of the guide or obtain additional information on elections.

Elections Canada - Web site

Illness, Accidents and Death Abroad

Information regarding local doctors and dentists, medical facilities and funeral services is available from the Consular Section. Other assistance, such as contacting family, assisting in transferring funds, and contacting insurance companies, can also be provided.

International Child Abduction

The Consular Section may, in consultation with the Foreign Affairs Canada provide assistance in cases of international child abduction. This could include establishing the whereabouts and well-being of a child, providing a list of local lawyers, and providing general advice and assistance.

International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents
www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/child_abductions-en.asp

Legal/Notarial Services

The High Commission does not provide legal advice. Lists of legal firms and lawyers can be retrieved from the Singapore Law Society's web site.

The lists of the Board of Commissioner of Oaths and Notaries Public in Singapore are also available from the Singapore Law Society's web site.

Notarial Services such as consular declarations, oaths, affirmations, affidavits, statutory declarations and authentications of signatures on documents are provided by the Consular Section. Fees apply for these services. Please call in advance for appointment and advice on current fees.

Lost or Stolen Documents or Credit Cards

When it comes to theft and crime, the same rules apply abroad as at home, only more so. Foreigners are usually at greater risk than locals and in many countries foreigners are specifically targeted. Simple precautions, such as making copies of travel documents and credit cards as well as purchasing travel insurance, will help prevent unpleasant situations.

Marriage of Canadians in Singapore

The Registry of Marriages (ROM) in Singapore registers and solemnises civil marriages under the Women's Charter. Canadians who intend to marry in Singapore, he/she is required to file an application for the Notice of Marriage at least 21 days and up three months before the date of solemnisation .One of the parties must have been staying in Singapore continuously for at least 15 days before he/she can file an application for the Notice of Marriage. For further details to contact :

Registry of Marriages
7 Canning Rise
Singapore 179869
Telephone: (65) 6337-5339/6338-7808/6338-9987
Telefax: (65) 6339-3328

Passports

Effective February 20, 2006, Canadians applying for passports in Singapore will be able to receive the same high quality, security enhanced, machine-readable passport as they would in Canada.

This initiative is an important part of the Government of Canada's new National Security Policy and ensures that Canadian travel documents are compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation global standards.

The service standard for delivery of this new, more secure passport will require up to fifteen working days, which includes courier time for this new product to be delivered from Canada to our office.

Application forms and further information are available at the High Commission or on the Passport Office Canada's website www.pptc.gc.ca.

Visa pages can no longer be added to passports that are filled, a new passport must be obtained.

Fees:
24-page passport
for persons over 16 years of age: CAN$100.00/S$143.00
for a child of 3-15 years of age: CAN$35.00/S$50.00
for a child under 3 years of age: CAN$20.00/S$28.00

48-page passport for persons over 16 years of age: CAN$105.00/S$150.00
for a child of 3-15 years of age: CAN$37.00/S$53.00
for a child under 3 years of age: CAN$22.00/S$31.00

Other services: Additional of spousal name to a valid passport: CAN$12.00/S$17.00
Extension of a limited validity Canadian passport: CAN$12.00/S$17.00

Fees are payable in Canadian or Singapore dollars. Personal or company cheques are not accepted. Bank drafts or certified cheques should be made payable to the "Canadian High Commission". Fees must be in exact change. Due to fluctuations in the exchange rate, fees quoted in Singapore dollars may change without prior notice. Notarized declaration forms may also be required. Notarial fee is CAN $50/S$71 per document

Registration of Canadians in Singapore

The Consular Section maintains a Registry of Canadians Abroad. The primary purpose of registration is to enable the High Commission to communicate with Canadians in times of natural calamities and other emergencies in order to ascertain their well being and to provide consular assistance as required.

Individuals resident in or visiting Singapore for a period of longer than three (3) months are urged to register their whereabouts online at "ROCA" or to complete the registration form available from the High Commission. Please note that the information you provide is not shared with any other Canadian government department.

Only one form per family is required.

Singapore Visas

Canadian citizens do not require a visa to visit Singapore. Tourists are issued a 30-day visitor's visa at the airport on arrival and a 14-day visa is issued to overland travellers arriving at the Malaysian border checkpoints. Business visas are not required for stays up to 14 days. For further information, contact:

Permanent Representation
United Nations - New York
231 East 51st Street
New York, NY10022, USA
Telegraphic Address: SINGAWAKIL NEW YORK
Telephone: 001-1 (212) 826-0840/1/2/3/4
TeleFax: 001-1-(212) 826-2964
E-Mail: sgpun@prodigy.net

Alternatively you may want to call the Consulate General of Singapore
Consulate General
Suite 1305, 999 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6C 2W2 Canada
Telephone: 001-(604) 669-5115
Telefax: 001-(604) 669-5153

For more information you can also visit the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority web site.

Tax Information

The most frequently used tax forms for the previous calendar year can be downloaded from the Revenue Canada Agency's web site. All enquiries on taxation in Canada should be directed to:

International Tax Services Office
Revenue Canada
2204 Walkley Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1A8

Calls from outside Canada can be made to 001-613-962-3741 (collect calls are accepted)

Revenue Canada has special regulations for Canadians working abroad. When you leave the country, you need to determine your residency status for income tax purposes. Your residency status affects the filing of income tax returns and the types of income that must be reported. There may be special rules that apply to your situation. You may be eligible to continue receiving the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonization Sales Tax Credit or Child Tax Benefit and related provincial payments.

Information and advice to individuals who are moving back to Canada after living abroad is available from Canada Border Services Agency's web site.

Most of the forms, guides and publications produced by Revenue Canada are available on their website.

Transfer of Funds

Western Union is one of the quickest ways to transfer money. The addresses and working hours of all their branches worldwide can be found on their web site. Foreign Affairs Canada can assist in funds transfers in emergency situations, however, a fee is charged. Clients are required to have identification with photo and also must know the 10-digit transaction reference (given at the time of deposit) and also know the amount of funds transferred and sender's details to access the funds.

A list of of Western Union Agents in Singapore can be retrieved from the Western Union's web site.

In Canada, Western Union can be reached by calling 1-800-235-0000.

Translations

Translation of diplomas, birth certificates, legal documents, etc. are not done by the Consular Section. You should contact a licensed translator (please consult the yellow pages). The Alliance Francais de Singapour also does translation of documents from French to English.

Travel Information/Travel Advisories

Travel Information Reports are available from the Canadian High Commission in Singapore or from the Foreign Affairs Canada's web site
General information and advice about travelling abroad is provided in the "Bon Voyage ... But" pamphlet available from the High Commission and the Foreign Affairs Canada's web site. The pamphlet contains tips to prepare for your trip, including passport information, visa facts and medical advice, information on available assistance while travelling such as consular services and safety information as well as important procedures for returning to Canada. It also lists other publications of interest on such topics as international relations, customs, food products, health issues, citizenship and Canadian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates abroad.

Canadian travellers should also be aware of the perils of travelling with drugs. Visit Consular Affairs - Drugs and Travel for more information.

The Travel Medicine Program (TMP) website provides current travel health information.

Foreign Affairs Canada, including the Canadian High Commission in Singapore, does not have the authority or the resources to conduct full searches for missing persons abroad. The Consular Section may, however, assist by providing referrals to the appropriate agencies and authorities.