Tips to Stay Safe in Singapore

Your university will probably cover this in more detail, but you will need an official medical certificate from your home country, certifying you don’t suffer from HIV or tuberculosis. Without this, you won’t be admitted to your school.

Indeed, while recreational cannabis consumption is legal in certain parts of the world such as the US states of Oregon, Alaska and most recently California, possession of even very small quantities of drugs such as cannabis can lead to imprisonment, corporal punishment or the death penalty. Don’t take the risk.

Before you take to the streets holding up a placard with a pithy political slogan, or a can of spray paint to tag a wall, bear in mind it can lead to judicial caning. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t overstay your visa, as this could result in the same punishment.

Obviously, you shouldn’t be drink-driving, but this is especially true in Singapore, where traffic police routinely carry out breath-tests and any offences can result in long prison sentences.  

To people from other countries, this can seem both petty and ridiculous, but it’s one of many small things Singaporean officials have clamped down on. Also avoid drinking in public spaces after 10:30pm, jaywalking, smoking in public spaces, littering and drinking on the train. You’ll eventually get used to all of these restrictions, but to start with you’ll want to be on your guard to avoid heavy fines.

Police permission is needed for certain public gatherings in Singapore, so don’t put yourself at risk needlessly by attending protests and street gatherings.

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Lead image: Nicolas Lannuzel (Flickr)