Singapore at No. 1: How to safely travel overseas with the world’s most powerful passport

Singapore residents can as soon as once more indulge in the glory of holding the world’s most powerful passport. The Singapore passport is at the No. 1 place — tied with 5 others — on the newest Henley Passport Index. It was No. 1 last year, too.

The newest Henley Passport Index, based mostly on information gathered from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), places France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain (listed right here in alphabetical order) at the topmost rung.

Global rankings on passport energy are normally based mostly on what number of international locations permit the holder of a selected passport to enter visa-free or with the visa-on-arrival possibility. That means Singapore residents can now travel to at least 194 world locations simply by hopping on to a flight — no worries about making an itinerary to apply for a visa, after which ready to get a visa stamped upfront.

According to the newest Henley rankings, Indian residents can enter 62 locations visa-free or with the visa-on-arrival possibility. This passport is at No. 80 on the index.

Singapore residents urged to eRegister earlier than overseas travel

It is certainly empowering to have the opportunity to travel anyplace with none paperwork delays. But how to make sure that one is secure when travelling overseas, particularly when there is no such thing as a prior documentation of 1’s vacation spot?

This week, all Singapore residents have been “strongly inspired” to eRegister their overseas journeys, in order that the authorities may swiftly come to their help throughout any emergency overseas.

On January 10, 2024, Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan stated in a written Parliamentary response to West Coast Group Representation Constituency MP Ang Wei Neng: “Assisting Singaporeans in misery is a precedence for MFA.” He was responding to a question on how his ministry would assist Singaporeans going through an overseas emergency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site stated: “The MFA eRegister is a voluntary and free service offered by MFA to all Singapore Citizens who travel or reside overseas. The data that you just present will permit us to contact you so as to ensure you are secure and if want be, help you need to an emergency happen.” The web site directed customers to the eRegister link.

What help to count on for damage or loss of life overseas

In case of damage overseas

• MFA will confirm the Singapore citizen’s scenario as quickly as data of the damage is obtained.
• The ministry will contact the native authorities at the overseas vacation spot to make sure that the Singaporean traveller will get medical consideration.
• The traveller’s relations in Singapore would be told and consular help could be given.
• Help with medical repatriation to Singapore, if required, is a part of the help provided by MFA.
• Upon being introduced again to Singapore, the injured/unwell citizen could be picked up at the airport and brought to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

In case of loss of life overseas

• MFA will assist the deceased Singapore citizen’s fast relations on the procedures associated to repatriation of the physique or cremation at the overseas vacation spot.
• The ministry will assist the bereaved household with acquiring paperwork from the overseas native authorities to do what it crucial.

How to search MFA help

• Call the 24-hour MFA Singapore hotline at 6379 8000
• Use the MFA web site to get contact particulars of the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission

What is included and never included underneath MFA consular help for Singaporeans

Included

• Giving data, recommendation, and consular help
• Contacting relations or associates to request them to ship emergency funds for repatriation or different bills
• Notifying next-of-kin if a Singapore citizen is injured overseas, arrested, or detained
• Assisting with arranging for the stays and private belongings of a deceased Singaporean overseas to return to Singapore
• Providing assist throughout emergencies equivalent to pure disasters or civil dysfunction in an overseas vacation spot

Not included

• Paying medical, hospital, authorized, lodging, travel or different payments, fines and the posting of bail
• Providing loans or money cheques
• Acting as guarantor or sponsor for overseas travel
• Arranging for transportation, lodging, or work overseas Providing translation, mail-forwarding, phone, fax/telex or different private providers