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Cars 4 Rental Information on Singapore

General

Area: 659.9 sq km (254.8 sq miles).

Population: 4,131,200 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density: 6,260.3 per sq km.

Capital: Singapore City. Population: 3,163,500 (1998).

GEOGRAPHY: The island of Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by a causeway carrying a road, railway and waterpipe. The Johor Strait between the island and the mainland is about 1km (0.8 miles) wide. The Republic of Singapore includes some 64 islets. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island, large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.

Government: Republic. Gained full independence from the UK in 1965. Head of State: President Sellapan Ramanathan since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong since 1990.

Language: The four official languages are Malay (the national language), English, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and speak English, which is used for business and administration.

Religion: Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim.

Time: GMT + 8.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings of the three-pin square type are in use. Many hotels have 110-volt outlets.

Communications:

Telephone

Full IDD is available. Country code: 65. Outgoing international code: 001. International calls can be made from public pay phones using a credit card or a phone card (S$2-50) available from Telecom centres and retail outlets. IDD calls made from hotels are free of surcharge.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800. Network operators include MobileOne (Asia) Pte (website: www.m1.com.sg), Singapore Telecom (website: www.singtel.com) and StarHub Pte (website: www.starhub.com).

Fax

There are services at many major hotels and at the Telecoms buildings in Robinson Road and Exeter Road.

Internet

Internet cafes throughout Singapore provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. Main ISPs include Cyberway Pte (website: www.starhub.com) and Singnet (website: www.singnet.com).

Telegram

Telegrams can be sent from post offices, hotels, the Central Telegraph Office at 71 Robinson Road and the Comcentre near Orchard Road.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes up to 1 week. There are limited postal facilities at many hotels. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700, Sat 0830-1300. The airport and Orchard Point branches are open daily 0700-1900. The General Post Office on Fullerton Road (near the river) and the Comcentre near Orchard Road are open 24 hours.

Press

The local English-language newspapers are The Business Times, The New Paper and The Straits Times.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Singapore Dollar (S$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of S$10,000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of S$1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
The currency of Brunei is also legal tender; 1 Brunei Dollar = 1 Singapore Dollar.

Currency exchange: Foreign currencies, travellers cheques and cheques can be changed at most banks and licensed money changers. ATMs are also in operation.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: There is no restriction on the import and export of local or foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Singapore Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 2.79 2.90 3.08 3.03
$1.00= 1.75 1.73 1.69 1.70

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1500, Sat 0930-1300. Branches of certain major banks on Orchard Road open Sun 0930-1500.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

1: A yellow fever certificate of vaccination is required from persons over 1 year of age who have been in or passed through any country classified either partly or wholly as a yellow fever endemic zone within the previous 6 days. The countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered by the Singapore authorities to be still infected.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E are widespread; hepatitis B is hyperendemic.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
HIV testing is required for workers who earn less than S$1250 per month and for applicants for permanent resident status. Foreign test results are not accepted.

Health care: Singapore General Hospital receives emergency cases and health care is exceptionally good. There is a large private sector. Health insurance is recommended, as there is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

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Health

Warm and fairly humid summer temperatures throughout the year (approximately 30C/86F during the day and 23C/74F in the evening). There is no distinct wet/dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and heavy.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes 1 Yes
Australian Yes 1 Yes
Canadian Yes 1 Yes
USA Yes 1 Yes
OtherEU Yes 1 Yes
Japanese Yes 1 Yes

Note: (a) Women more than 6 months pregnant or more must obtain a letter from a doctor confirming that it is safe for them to travel and a Social Visit Pass for Expectant Mothers prior to arrival; apply at the High Commission or Embassy. All women between 15 to 45 years old must be present to declare whether or not they are pregnant at the time of submission. (b) Severe penalties are imposed on those found in possession of narcotics; the death penalty is in force for those convicted of trafficking in heroin or morphine. (c) Regulations are subject to change at short notice and all visitors are therefore advised to check with the High Commission or Embassy before leaving.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond date of departure required by all.

VISAS: Required only by the following:
(a)* nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, China (PR), CIS, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Yemen and holders of Palestinian Authority passports;
(b) those holding Refugee Travel Documents issued by Middle Eastern countries;
(c) those holding Hong Kong Document of Identity cards, holders of a Macau SAR Travel Permit and Temporary Passports issued by the United Arab Emirates.

Note: (a) *All countries mentioned in (a) (except Macau (SAR)) require a letter from a local sponsor (Singapore registered company, citizen or permanent resident) bearing responsibility for the visitor’s stay.
(b) 1. All other nationals require a Social Visit Pass, which is issued on arrival (at the discretion of the Immigration Officer) provided the traveller holds the appropriate application requirements (see below). For nationals holding British and Irish passports, the maximum length of stay is 30 days, for other nationals the maximum length of stay is 14 days. Visitors on a Social Visit Pass are not permitted to work in Singapore. For stays over 3 months, applications must be made for a Long Term Social Visit Pass, for which a local sponsor (such as a Singapore national aged over 21 years or an organisation) is required, except for nationals of Malaysia. The maximum stay for a tourist is 90 days and an extension must be applied for before the visa's expiry at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore. The price of the extension is subject to the immigration officer’s discretion.

Types of visa and cost: Visa, Social Visit Pass (short- or long-term; S$20), Professional Visit Pass, Student Pass and Transit. For any extension of pass accumulating to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/issue and for every subsequent extension accumulating to 3 months or more, the cost is usually S$40. Payment by NETS or CashCard is preferable. Application packs with instructions and prevailing visa costs at the time of application are obtainable from the High Commission (see Contact Addresses section).

Validity: Social Visit Pass/Student Pass/Professional Visit Pass: At the discretion of the ICA.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: Social Visit Pass: (a) Valid passport and photocopies of data pages. (b) Valid travel documents including an onward or return ticket (except nationals of Malaysia) and visa entry facilities to onward destinations, if applicable. (c) Sufficient funds. (d) Two completed application forms. (e) Yellow fever vaccination certificate if passing through or coming from an endemic zone within 6 days of arriving in Singapore. (f) Local sponsor’s ID card. (g) Letter from applicant's employer granting leave of absence, specifying duration of employment and salary, or copy of household booklet if unemployed. Student Pass: (a)-(g) and, (h) Form or letter from college/university in Singapore. (i) Local sponsor’s ID card, with photocopy, except for those in Institutes of Higher Learning. (j) Birth certificate. (k) Certified copies of highest educational certificates and results. Depending on nationality, a security deposit from local sponsor may also be required. (l) Proof of registered institution with the Ministry of Education, or has proof of exemption, or is licensed with the Ministry of Community & Sports. Business/Visitor: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from sponsoring company. (i) For certain nationals, a computer print-out of the Singapore registered company's detailed business profile, obtainable from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Visa: (a)-(g) and, (h) Two copies of a letter from local sponsor in Singapore. (i) Two passport-size photos. Long term: (a)-(g) and, (h) One passport-size photo, except for nationals of Malaysia. (i) Highest educational certificate (original and photocopy). (j) Medical examination if applicant is aged 15 years and above, applying for a visa with a validity of 6 months or more.

Note: Requirements may vary, especially according to nationality, and travellers should check with the Consulate prior to application.

Working days required: Up to 4 weeks. It may take as little as 3 working days. However, it is still advisable to allow plenty of time. For those applying for Student visas, allow 2 to 6 months.

Temporary residence: Apply to Consulate (or Consular section of High Commission or Embassy), who will forward application to the authorities in Singapore.

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