National Language
English. Malay, Tamil and Chinese are widely spoken as the secondary languages.
Visas & Special Passes
The granting of visitor passes is determined by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore officers at the point of entry. Further details may be obtained at www.ica.gov.sg.
Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD). International currencies such as the US, Australian and Brunei Dollars, Yen, British Pound and Euro are also accepted in most major shopping centres and big departmental stores. Brunei currency is acceptable at par with the Singapore currency.
Gratuity
Most restaurants and hotels will add a 10% service charge, so tipping is not necessary.
Business Hours:
Banks
Mondays to Fridays, 10:00 to 15:00 hours
Saturdays, 09:30 to 13:00 hours
Saturdays, 09:30 to 15:00 hours (some bank branches only)
Sundays, 09:30 to 15:00 hours (some bank branches only)
Companies, Government Offices
Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 17:30 or 18:00 hours
Saturdays, 09:00 to 12:30 hours (some offices only)
Shops
Daiily, 10:00 to 21:30 hours
Telephone Networks
Singapore has two mobile phone networks – GSM900 and GSM1800, and three mobile telephone service providers – SingTel, M1 and StarHub. International calls are inexpensive and can be made using most public telephones, hotel phones and mobile phones.
Health
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world. Over-the-counter drugs can be bought at pharmacies, which are located at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists generally operate from 09:00 to 18:00 hours on weekdays should you require prescription drugs. Most hotels have their own doctor on-call around the clock. Other doctors are on Yellow Pages.
Electricity
220–240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day; Chinese New Year (2 days); Good Friday; Labour Day; Vesak Day; National Day; Hari Raya Puasa; Deepavali; Hari Raya Haji and Christmas Day.