Singapore customs questions - medications, media

[donotexist]

Hi, I will be entering Singapore in a couple of days and I want to be sure to avoid any trouble at Changi customs. I was wondering if the seasoned expats here could help:

- One-way ticket - will this get any extra scrutiny? I will be a student, don't have my visa yet but am coming with my printed student pass application.

- Medications - I am bringing in birth control and migraine drugs (Imitrex, Axert). I don't have the original prescriptions for either but have a letter from my doctor about the migraine drugs. Will this cause any issues? Should I carry them on or put in checked luggage?

- Herbal supplements - I'd like to bring a bottle of Melatonin (natural sleep aid) and some vitamins. They're over the counter in the US, so I assume they're ok for Singapore without prescription?

- Media - am I likely to have my laptop searched? What about my iPod? I don't exactly have a huge cache of porn or anything objectionable, but might have some software and music that I can't produce the original licenses for.

- Anything else I should consider when packing?

Thank you!

[Saint]

- One-way ticket - will this get any extra scrutiny? I will be a student, don't have my visa yet but am coming with my printed student pass application.

So let me get this right, you want to enter as a tourist and will then be applying for a student visa? So no application has been submitted yet?

[donotexist]

The application has been submitted and approved through my (accredited) school. I have the printout with my info. I won't have the actual student pass until I arrive, though - school is saying that takes several days. So just wondering what the procedure is for that - what line do I get into or what?

Just to clear it up: my student pass application was approved and I have a Foreign Identification Number. I just don't have any official documents, everything was done electronically and I only have printouts.

[durain]

with a one way ticket, you will get scrutiny at the check-in desk if you dont have a valid visa!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Depending on what country they are coming from. If they have been accepted by an accredited school here then that shouldn't be any problem unless their country of origin is required by Singapore to have a VISA instead of a visa on arrival like the UK, Aus, US, etc.

This should answer your customs questions (see the links for Travelers) :

Singapore Customs

[Saint]

The application has been submitted and approved through my school. I have the printout with my info. I won't have the actual student pass until I arrive, though - school is saying that takes several days. So just wondering what the procedure is for that - what line do I get into or what?

That makes it a lot clearer, I thought, Durain, that you hadn't even submitted the application.

[Plavt]

Donotexist,
Regarding your question about bringing medicines into Singapore see the following;

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal ... ation.html

Note: slow link.

[sundaymorningstaple]

=

Note: slow link.

Worked reasonably fast for me.....

You using the darn apple again!

[durain]

or maybe safari?

[Plavt]

=

Note: slow link.

Worked reasonably fast for me.....

You using the darn apple again!

More like that darn ISP of mine so...

[Saint]

=

Note: slow link.

Worked reasonably fast for me.....

You using the darn apple again!

More like that darn ISP of mine so...

Dodgy wifi connection at the local Bingo club again?

[skye]

You should be fine with a one-way ticket as long as you are from a country where you don't need a visitors visa in advance. Best to bring medication in your hand luggage. Melatonin as available here OTC. No one is likely to check your computer or ipod - never heard of that happening, although if you have unlicensed discs/dvds, i'd leave them at home.
Does your in-principle approval letter say you should collect your pass in person? If so, once you get here, go to the ICA building at Kallang before 2 pm weekdays (much earlier is better) with your approval letter for your student pass, your passport and some $$, go to the right floor and get a queue number from the machine to "complete formalities". Watch for your number, submit your docs and it should all be pretty quick and painless. Check with your school first though, some send groups of students there with agents to guide them.

[donotexist]

As an update, the immigration officer at Changi just waved me through with a smile, no scrutiny at all.

However, I did have some trouble with the airline: despite all my documentation they said that one-way tickets are problematic and made me wait while they checked something out before issuing a boarding pass. That was nerve-wracking but I guess it all turned out well!

[durain]

if your visa is not in order and singapore decline your entry at the immigration and they deport you, it is the airline responsibility to fly you back where you come from. hence airline will need to check that you are allow into singapore with the correct visa, etc.

now that you are here, welcome to singapore. btw, just the right time as it is durian season. go check it out.

[donotexist]

Is it wrong that deportation actually sounds kind of good if it means a free flight on Singapore Air? And definitely better than durian, I'm already traumatized by the giant roaches here.