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Last Updated:
October 31, 2007 14:10
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:56 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Singapore
Most Canadian visitors to There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. The crime rate is relatively low and violent crime against foreigners is rare. However, there have been some reports of robberies and sexual assaults. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs especially at the airport, hotels, and other areas frequented by tourists. Exercise caution and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Police assistance is available by dialling 999. Fire and ambulance services can be obtained by calling 995. Pirate attacks and armed robbery occur against ships in BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Consulate of the Republic of Singapore, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Tourist visas are issued for 30 days upon arrival at the airport and for 14 days at the Malaysian border for overland travellers. Tourist visas may be extended for stays up to 90 days. Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for those arriving from infected areas. If you arrive from an infected area and do not have a yellow fever vaccination certificate, you may be denied entry. Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Not required Student Visa: Required A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Singapore - SINGAPORE, High Commission of Canada Address: One George Street, #11-01Singapore 049145 Postal Address: P.O. Box 845, Singapore , 901645 Tel.: 65 6854-5900 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-800-2326-6831 Fax: 65 6854-5913 E-Mail: spore@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.singapore.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Singapore and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 001-800-2326-6831. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Unauthorized demonstrations are illegal. Canadians should avoid all protests and demonstrations where they could be at risk. Under Singapore law, an assembly of five or more people requires a permit. The penalty for drug offences is very strict and can include the death penalty. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. Sentences can be up to 10 years in prison. Vandalism offences carry a mandatory sentence of corporal punishment. Shoplifting is considered a serious offence. Lesser offences such as “outrages of modesty” (inappropriate behaviour by men towards women) carry corporal punishment (rattan cane). Homosexuality is illegal. Convicted offenders may face jail sentences and fines. Common-law relationships are not recognized. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Traffic regulations are strictly enforced. Public transportation is widely available and considered safe. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Singaporean dollar (SGD). Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Foreign exchange bureaus are available at the airport, hotels, and some shopping centres. Automated banking machines are widely available. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Unrestricted burning in neighbouring Monsoon season occurs twice a year. Northeast monsoon season takes place from December to March and southeast monsoon season occurs from June to September. During these periods BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Excellent medical care is available. Payment for services if often expected up front. Canadians planning to study, work, or reside in In 2007 there has been an increase of reported cases of dengue fever in some areas of BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. Fore more information on adoption in Singapore, please contact : Child Welfare Services (Adoption Unit) Family & Child Protection & Welfare Branch Ministry of Community Development 512 MCDs Building # 09-00 Singapour 298136 Tel. : 65-6258-9595 Fax : 65-6354-8140 Web site: www.familytown.gov.sg BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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