Welcome to Singapore

Getting around Singapore

• Public Buses

• MRT

• Private Car

• Taxis

Public Buses

• Buses

– Public buses run daily from 5.30am to midnight, and their pick-up

routes are extremely comprehensive throughout the island at regular

intervals (less than 30 minutes between buses). There are also

extended night services which cost slightly more. You can either pay

via cash, or an EZ-Link cash card you can buy or top up value at any

bus interchange or MRT station.

– The two main bus operators in Singapore are SBS Transit Ltd and

SMRT Buses Ltd. Visit their websites for more information on

respective bus routes and fares.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

• The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) operates a

network of trains, which serves 51 stations,

covering most business, shopping and

residential areas in Singapore. These trains are

highly reliable, arriving every three to eight

minutes from 5.30 am to 12.30 am daily.

Private Car

• Driving in Singapore– Cars in Singapore are on right-hand drive, driven on the left side of the road. If you find it

too expensive to own a car, leasing a car from major companies like Avis and Hertz is

another option.

– If you are here on a Social Visit Pass, all you need is an International Driving Permit (IDP)

issued by the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS). This Permit is valid for a year.

Visit the AAS website for more details on how to apply.

– However, if you are a Permanent Resident or have been in Singapore for more than twelve

months, a Singapore driving licence is required by the Traffic Police. You need to obtain a

Class 3 licence for cars and a Class 2 licence for motorcycles. To convert your foreign

driving licence, please contact any of the following driving centres:

– Singapore Safety Driving Centre Ltd

– Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ltd

– Comfort Driving Centre Pte Ltd

Buying a Car

• Visit the Land Transport Authority One Motoring website

for more details on how to:

• Bid for a COE

• Bid for a Vehicle Number

• Calculate Car Cost including Road Tax

• Calculate your Monthly Fuel Consumption

• Self-import and Register your Vehicle

• Install your Vehicle License Plate

Taxis

• To find out more details or to book a taxi, please contact the respective taxi companies:

Yellow-Top Cab Pte Ltd 6552 1111 / 6552 2222

Citycab Pte Ltd 6552 2222

Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd 6552 1111 / 6552 2222

Premier Taxis Pte Ltd 6476 8880

Smart Automobile Pte Ltd 6299 1551

SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd 6555 8888

Trans-Cab Services Pte Ltd 6287 6666

Accommodation in Singapore

• Singapore offers a wide variety of accommodation types to suit all

budgets and preferences. They range from backpacker, budget and youth

hostels to boutique and five-star hotels.

Most hotels come with standard facilities like International Direct Dial

(IDD) phones, internet and cable, room service, mini bars, data ports for

modem, no-smoking rooms or floors, and business and fitness centers

furnished with the latest equipment.

• Singapore’s Hotel Directory and Price Range

Accommodation in Singapore

• Rental – Public Housing

– If you are looking for rental housing, you may wish to consider public housing

apartments built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). These

government-subsidized flats are conveniently located all over the island in

neighbourhoods with amenities such as supermarkets, food centres, medical

clinics, schools, malls and libraries. They are usually easily accessible by our

public bus transport network and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system.

– A major advantage of the HDB accommodation is also the reasonable rental

rates. The size of flats available range from one-room to five-room and larger

executive units. Please click here to find out the latest rental estimates in each

neighbourhood.

Immigration & Settling-In Matters

• For citizens:– Singapore Passports – Singapore IC

• For Permanent Residents:– Re-Entry Permit – Obtaining PR for Family – Obtaining Citizenship for Spouse and Family

• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

10 Kallang Road, ICA Building

Singapore 208718

Hotline: +65 6391 6100

Email: ica_feedback@ica.gov.sg

Website: www.ica.gov.sg

Relocation

• It is easy to apply for a visa, looking for the right accommodation

or finding a school. Due to Singapore’s history of attracting

foreign professionals, most relocation requirements have been

anticipated and catered for.

• Click on the links for details:

– Moving

– Real Estate

– Orientation Programmes

– Integrated Relocations

– Language Training

Banking

• Leading consumer banks in Singapore include

ABN AMRO, Citibank, DBS, HSBC, OCBC,

Standard Chartered and UOB.

• An online currency converter service is available

at Asia One.

Communication

• Telephone and Mobile Phones– There are three main telecommunication providers in Singapore,

namely Singtel, Starhub and M1. All three are offering competitive subscription plans for mobile phones.

• Internet– Broadband or wireless services are widely and easily accessed

through three main Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Singapore, namely Singnet, Starhub, and Pacific Internet.

– Other than ISPs, the other option is to log on to Wireless@SG. This is a nationwide programme where users can enjoy free indoor and outdoor seamless wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 512kbps at most public places. Click here to register or find out more details about coverage areas.

Education

• Enrolment Procedure– As a foreign student, your child may submit his or her application

directly to the schools at all levels. Approach the schools for admission to kindergartens, private schools, universities or polytechnics. To study in Singapore, you are required to either apply for a Student Pass or a Dependant’s Pass.

• Please click on the following links for more information on:• Singapore Education System • Pre-School Education • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Pre-University Education • Post Secondary Education • Special Education • Private Schools • International Students Admissions • Admissions for Returning Singaporeans

Domestic Help

• Please click on the following links for guidelines and requirements that you should note when employing foreign domestic workers:

– Guidelines for Employers – Employers' Orientation Programme – Employers Who Change More Than Four Foreign Domestic Workers in a Year

– Maintain a Valid GIRO Account with a Bank for Payment of Levy – Obtain for the FDW, a Personal Accident Insurance (minimum coverage of $10,000)

– Work Permit (WP) Application for Domestic Workers – Obtain a Security Deposit of $5000 – Renewal of Work Permit for Domestic Workers

– Salary and General Terms of Employment – Termination of In-Principle Approval and Work Permit – Useful Publications and Resources

– Work Pass Legislation – E-Services and Forms

HealthCare

• The government has also introduced community hospitals for

intermediate healthcare for the convalescent sick and aged who

do not require the care of the general hospitals. The

Ministry of Health is a good place to start for all healthcare

enquiries.

– Private Clinics-The Family Doctor

– Polyclinics

– Medical Care for the Elderly

– Community Hospitals

– Specialist Care

– Hospitals

– Dental Care

– Medical Insurance

Useful Numbers

Emergency

Police 999 (toll-free)

Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade

995 (toll-free)

Important Public Services

Police Hotline 1800 225 0000 (toll-free)

Traffic Police Hotline 1800 547 1818

AAS Emergency Road Service 6748 9911

Non-Emergency Ambulance Service

1777