Social visitors to Singapore are given visas of at least two-weeks' duration, although on average a tourist stays in Singapore for only a few days. Visa extensions are given liberally on application for those who wish to remain longer. If a visitor overstays his visa he is usually let off with a warning. It is those who overstay their visa by a few months who face the prospect of prosecution.
Caning is reserved as a form of punishment only for those who overstay their visas by more than 90 days.
Tourists, therefore, have no reason to worry about visiting Singapore. Last year we had a little over 6 million tourists. They are proof of the gracious treatment accorded in Singapore to all bona fide tourists.
CHIN HOCK SENG
First Secretary, Embassy of Singapore
A policy the US should adopt, immediately.
I haven’t been to Singapore in a few years. What is the current punishment for driving a car with less than 1/2 a tank of gas over the border to Malaysia? I still remember those signs at the border crossing like it was yesterday.