Significance

• Singapore has several advantages--its location puts it close to many other Asian cities, English is an official language spoken by almost everyone, signs are in English, and facilities and infrastructure are at least as good as the U.S.
  
  

Benefits

• The good news for American passport holders is Singapore doesn't require a visa to enter the country for nonwork visits of up to 30 days.
  
  

Effects

• Americans do need to have a passport valid for at least six months, a return flight ticket and an address where they intend to stay. Visitors might also be asked to prove they have enough money to last the visit.
  
  

Types

• Visits of a nontourist nature require visas. These include the employment pass visa, personalized employment pass, the EntrePass business visa and student visas. All of these need to be applied for in advance, and they have processing fees.
  
  

Considerations

• American tourists interested in stays longer than 30 days or multiple entries should apply for an extension of stay, or social pass. The extension is up to 90 days from initial arrival.
  
  

Warning

• While a modern city-state, Singapore does not have American-style civil liberties. This is particularly true for freedom of speech. Media are censored and largely run by the government, and expressing opinions critical of authorities in any formal capacity might lead to serious consequences.