Singapore Briefer

Fondly called the "Little Red Dot", Singapore sits on the tip of the Malay peninsula. Singapore is a modern, multicultural city-state known for its efficiency, cleanliness, and safety. English is widely spoken and used in official communication, making it easy for visitors to navigate and interact.

Country Information

Visa Requirement

No visa is required for travellers from the Philippines. However, make sure to bring a copy of the travel authority and other documents in case it is requested.

Population

Latest statistics show Singapore has 6.11M population, with its major races are Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Of this, 1.91 are non-residents, which includes the OFWs in Singapore.

Time Zone

Singapore operates on GMT +8, the same as the Philippines. No time adjustment is necessary.

Currency and Payment

• The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD).

• Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

• Cashless transactions (Visa PayWave, Mastercard Contactless, GrabPay, etc.) are common.

• ATMs are easily accessible in malls and near hotels.

Note: Please inform us if your agency will be accepting payments.

Weather and Clothing

Singapore has a tropical climate, with temperatures around 25–32°C and high humidity year-round.

Communication and Connectivity

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, malls, and most public areas. Public connection will be available at the venue.

Local prepaid SIM cards (e.g., Singtel, StarHub, M1) can be purchased at Changi Airport or convenience stores for data access at about 12-18 SGD for 14 days connectivity.

WhatsApp is commonly used for messaging and calls.

Common Violations that may result in Fines or other penalties

• Smoking or vaping in enclosed public areas, air-conditioned spaces, or public transport (including stations and shelters). Vaping is illegal in Singapore. Look for “Smoking Corner” signs in open areas.

• Eating or drinking inside MRT trains, stations, or public buses.

• Playing music or videos using your phone speaker inside MRT trains, stations, or public buses.

• Littering, spitting, or jaywalking.

• Do not bring or chew gum. The import and sale of chewing gum are prohibited, except for medical use.

• Do not feed pigeons or wild animals. This is considered a public health violation.

• Do not consume alcohol in public places after 10:30 PM, except in licensed premises.

Filipino Community in Singapore

Latest population estimates

Latest estimates place the Filipino community population at around 250,000. This number includes Permanent Residents (PR) and OFWs. 

Employment Sectors

The Filipino community is relatively diversified: while many are in domestic work, an increasing number of Filipinos are employed in professional, mid-skilled and service roles. 

An estimated 20-30% of the domestic workers are from the Philipines. Many Filipinos also work as hotel staff, F&B, retail assistants, sales, customer-facing roles—because of language advantage and suitability. However, due to labor restrictions, employers are finding it hard to hire Filipino nationals unless they are a bigger company.

Filipino nationals are also known for their talents in professional sectors such as IT and finance, as well as in administrative and technical roles.