Singapore (Republic of)

Singapore (Republic of)

History of Relations

South Africa and the Republic of Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1992, when embassies were opened in Singapore and Pretoria. When South Africa re-entered the Commonwealth in 1994, the embassies became High Commissions.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Singapore

H E Mr M C Mokitlane
High Commissioner

South African High Commission

Singapore Representation in South Africa

H E Mr CHAU Thai-Keong
High Commissioner

High Commission of Singapore

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

None.

No visas are required for holders of private South African passports for visits of less than 30 days. For visits exceeding 30 days, visitors are recommended to apply for extensions while in Singapore at the Singapore Immigration Department. Study, work and PR permits should however be applied for at the Singapore High Commission in Pretoria.

Health Requirements

There are no vaccination requirements for entering Singapore. It is, however, recommended that all long-term residents of Singapore be immunised against hepatitis B.

A communicable disease, sometimes transmitted by the Aedes mosquito in Singapore, is Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (Dengue fever or DHF). There is no immunisation against DHF.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

As of January 2021, Singapore is restricting South Africans and people with a travel history to South Africa within the last 14 days from entering the country. These tighter boarder measures are in place to prevent the spread of potentially more contagious strain of COVID-19 virus circulating in South Africa. Travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents are also required to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure and present a valid negative COVID-19 test result as a condition of approval to enter Singapore. All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to South Africa within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transit through Singapore. This restriction will apply to those who have obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore. While the South African strain has been suggested to be more transmissible, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine if this strain is associated with any change in disease severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy. These aspects are being investigated. MOH will evaluate the data as it emerges and review our border measures accordingly.

Climate Info

Singapore has a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity. Both annual and daily temperature variations are slight and the average maximum temperature is 31 degrees Celsius with an average relative humidity of over 90%. The island, which has no pronounced wet or dry season, receives an average of 236 centimetres of precipitation annually. During periods of heavy rain, flooding is common in low-lying areas.

The island lies in the path of two monsoonal wind patterns that alternate in the major seasons. The north-east monsoon dominates the weather pattern from November to March and the south-east monsoon from June to September. Rain, falling all year round, is most abundant from November to January, with July recording the lowest average rainfall. Thunderstorms are frequent during April-May and again in October-November. February is usually the sunniest month, while December is usually the opposite.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The local currency unit is the Singapore Dollar (SGD), which is divided into 100 cents. The abbreviation for the Singapore Dollar is S$. The Singapore Dollar is freely convertible.

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

Singapore and South Africa have a structured bilateral mechanics called Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to optimise existing cooperation which takes place annually.

The last official visit was in 2019 when the Singapore Minister of State, Dr Maliki Bin Osman, and Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini, met on 5 September 2019, at the WEF in Cape Town and reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Singapore pledged to a continued support to South Africa’s skills development and other areas of technical cooperation.

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

The total value of trade between South Africa and Singapore in 2020 was R 14.4 billion with exports at R 8.3 billion and the imports at R6 billion.

Singapore's main imports from South Africa include organic chemicals, petroleum & products, iron & steel, non-ferrous metals, metal manufactures, vegetables & fruit, inorganic chemicals, metallic ores & scrap and paper manufactures. Singapore's main exports to South Africa include telecommunications apparatus, electrical machinery, office & data machines, manufactured articles, general industrial machinery, plastics, crude rubber, textile manufactures, coffee and spices.

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Singapore, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

South African Chamber of Commerce Singapore

Singapore Trade Office