Useful Information

Reporting in Singapore

Establishing a news bureau

Media organisations that wish to set up a news bureau in Singapore have to apply to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) for approval. To do so, please email MDDI’s Media Division mddi_duty_officer@mddi.gov.sg with the following information:

Letter of request from the media organisation, printed on its letterhead
Background information of the media organisation
CV of correspondent(s)

Please indicate whether the news bureau will be engaging in other activities besides news gathering and reporting. If the news bureau engages only in news gathering and reporting, it will be considered a representative office and does not need to be registered as a business. If the bureau also engages in other activities, such as the selling of news, then a business office has to be set up. For this, please contact:

Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

ACRA Corporate Office
#03-02, Revenue House
55 Newton Road, Singapore 307987

ACRA Service Counter (by appointment only)
Taxpayer and Business Service Centre
Level 1, Revenue House
55 Newton Road, Singapore 307987

ACRA Helpdesk
(65) 6248 6028 (Mon to Fri, 8.30am to 6.00pm)
Email: https://www.acra.gov.sg/enquiry/

Work Passes

Foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid work pass (commonly known as a work visa) before they start work. Please visit the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s website for more information on the various types of work pass, eligibility criteria, and application process.

Foreign media personnel on short-term assignments (up to 60 days) which are not supported or sponsored by any Singapore government agency are required to apply for a Miscellaneous Work Pass (MWP) via MOM's website.

For enquiries on work pass matters, please contact MOM’s Work Pass Division at mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg.

Tel: (65) 6438 5122 (Mon to Fri: 8.30am to 5.30pm; Sat: 8.30am to 1.00pm)

Press Accreditation

Media personnel working in Singapore may apply for a press accreditation card (PAC) from MDDI. The PAC identifies you as a bona fide media and provides access to government information and events. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time employees of a media organisation accredited with MDDI
Media personnel who regularly covers government events, such as editors, journalists, producers, photographers, camera crew
MDDI does not accredit media personnel from specialised publications, contract staff, temporary staff, interns and freelancers

To apply for Media Organisation Accreditation or a PAC, please visit the PAC Online website. For enquiries on press accreditation, email: mddi_pac_online@mddi.gov.sg.

MDDI Duty Desk

MDDI’s Media Division facilitates the dissemination of government information to local and foreign media organisations based in Singapore via the MDDI Duty Desk.

The Duty Desk also provides support and assistance to the media by facilitating media queries.

Official press releases, speeches and statements from government agencies are available at the SG Press Centre.

Operating hours of the Duty Desk are as follows: Mondays – Fridays: 9am to 6pm
Eve of Christmas (24 Dec), New Year (31 Dec) and Chinese New Year: 9am to 1pm
Weekends and Public Holidays: Closed

Email: mddi_duty_officer@mddi.gov.sg.

Entry Requirements

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is responsible for securing Singapore’s borders against the entry of undesirable people and cargo through land, air and sea checkpoints. It also administers immigration and registration services, such as issuing immigration passes and permits to foreigners.

For more information on requirements for entry to Singapore, visit the ICA website.

Customs formalities

Certain goods must be declared and will be allowed entry into Singapore only when you produce the import permit or authorisation from the relevant authorities.

For more information, visit the Singapore Customs website.

Government Directory

The Singapore Government Directory Interactive (SGDi) is an online directory listing the contact details of the Singapore’s government agencies and officers.

General information on taxes

Your tax liability will depend on your tax residency status. For more information, visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore website.