Ministry of Health (MOH) Public Health Advisory
Travellers should refer to the ICA website for the latest information on travelling to/from or transiting through Singapore. For the latest updates on Singapore’s COVID-19 situation, please refer to the MOH website at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19.
Singaporeans can visit Brazil for a period of up to 30 days without a visa. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Brazil. If you would like to extend your stay in Brazil, you may apply for an extension of an additional 90 days at the nearest Federal Police Office in Brazil before the expiration of the visa-free period granted at your point of arrival.
As entry and immigration requirements may change at short notice, we advise you to visit the Brazil government's travel website (https://www.visitbrasil.com/en/) for the most updated information and to contact your travel agency, or the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Singapore (Email: consular.singapura@itamaraty.gov.br, Tel: 6603 9361) to ensure that you have accurate information for your specific purpose prior to departure.
While Brazil is generally safe to travel, we strongly advise Singaporeans to avoid visiting “favelas” or shanty towns in Rio de Janeiro, even with a tour agency. Singaporeans should check the media for regular updates on the local situation in states that they plan to visit. Those intending to rent a car should be wary that mobile navigation applications do not normally contain safety information on areas which are prone to crime. There have been reports of tourists entering these areas by mistake while using mobile navigation applications which have resulted in serious injuries or fatality.
Remain vigilant at all times, for example, when taking public transport or while at major bus / train terminals. There have been reports of robberies on public transport, such as buses. There have also been incidents of “arrastão”, or flash robbery, in states such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. This is when a group of robbers, armed or otherwise, appears out of nowhere, to quickly rob a group of unsuspecting individuals. Try to avoid dark and isolated places, especially early in the morning or late at night, including public beaches.
Take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and take care of your personal belongings at all times. Robberies are known to take place even at hotel lobbies and the restricted areas of airports. Avoid showing signs of affluence such as expensive jewellery, watches, clothing and bags, and carry only small amounts of cash. Keep cameras and portable electronic devices, including mobile phones, laptops and tablets, out of sight and leave your valuables in a safe place. For example, refrain from taking valuables to a beach or crowded area. Carry a photocopy of your passport and leave the original in a secure place. The Brazilian police has advised that you should not fight back if robbed but be ready to hand over your valuables as the attacker(s) may be armed. Use only official taxis. Engage only reputable tour operators and local guides.
Demonstrations and political protests can occur at any time and may turn violent. Roads may be closed and the public transport system may be affected and severely disrupted. Avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are taking place, monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of the local authorities when caught in such situations.
In brief, be vigilant and exercise caution so that you can enjoy your trip to Brazil.
Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs is severely punished. Travellers should not, under any circumstances, carry any items for strangers, especially baggage and parcels. Be wary of offers of payment to fly to Brazil for an assignment to avoid being used as a drug mule.
Brazil has a zero tolerance law for drivers with any measurable content of alcohol in their blood.
Outbreak of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue fever and zika, is not uncommon. Protect yourself against mosquito bites.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Brazil. All travellers, including Singapore residents, who arrive in Singapore from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (i.e. wholly or partly endemic for yellow fever) are required to have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, they are liable to be quarantined under Section 31 of the Infectious Disease Act, for up to six days upon arrival in Singapore. Non-residents who refuse quarantine will be turned away and returned to his/her place of origin or last port of embarkation.
This approach is consistent with the WHO’s recommendations in the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
The International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is only considered valid 10 days after vaccination and the validity lasts for the life of the person vaccinated.
Please ask your doctor to review your suitability for the yellow fever vaccine.
Please refer to MOH website https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/yellow-fever for more information on yellow fever.
Please seek the advice of your medical doctor on other types of vaccinations recommended for travel to Brazil. If you plan to visit other countries in the region before or after Brazil, please also check the types of mandatory vaccinations required as they may differ from those of Brazil.
During the rainy season (usually December to March), ponding and flooding is common. Please exercise caution, especially when driving. Singaporeans travelling to Brazil are advised to check the local media for regular updates on the situation in the cities that you are travelling to.
For Singaporeans who are travelling to other countries in Latin America, you may wish to take note that Spanish is the pre-dominant language in the continent. You should be prepared to engage a translator on the ground for communication purposes. Please seek medical advice before visiting places in the region with high altitude, including what you should do to acclimatise before and upon arrival.
eRegister
All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are encouraged to register your travel itinerary abroad on the MFA eRegister system. you may login to our eRegister portal via your SingPass account and submit a registration. The information you provide us will allow us to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g., natural disasters. civil unrest, etc) occur.
Overseas Travel – Be Informed & Be Safe [Updated on 5 February 2024]
Singaporeans planning overseas travel are reminded to take the necessary precautions, including being prepared to deal with accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Singaporeans are also reminded to be familiar with your destination’s local laws, customs, and COVID-19 regulations.
Demonstrations do occur in major cities across the world. Such demonstrations can sometimes escalate into violence. It is important for Singaporeans to keep abreast of local news, avoid any protests or demonstrations and heed the advice of the local authorities.
When participating in outdoor leisure activities overseas, Singaporeans should be mindful that certain sporting activities, especially in open seas, may carry risks. Besides ensuring that one has the physical competencies and appropriate condition to undertake the activity, every effort should be made to ascertain if the trip organiser or guide is reliable and competent, and that appropriate safety and contingency plans are in place. When in doubt, Singaporeans should consult the relevant professional bodies or sporting associations for specific advice.
For those planning to travel, here are some tips:
Before travelling
While travelling
Advisory: Email Scams
There have been reports of individuals receiving scam emails/messages purportedly sent from friends in distress overseas. These emails/messages typically originate from an email address/social media known to the receiver bearing claims of the sender getting into trouble overseas and urgently requesting financial assistance. The sender would also claim to have approached a Singapore Embassy/Consulate and the local Police for help to no avail.
MFA takes the safety of all Singaporeans very seriously. Singaporeans in distress approaching our Overseas Missions for assistance will be rendered with all necessary consular assistance. If you receive such emails/messages from purported friends seeking funds transfers, we strongly advise you to call them first to verify the authenticity of the emails/messages before responding to their request. It is also not advisable to give out any personal information such as NRIC/passport numbers, address, telephone number, etc. Any form of reply, even one of non-interest, could result in more unsolicited emails. Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen prey to such scams should report the matter to the Police immediately. Should Singaporeans abroad require consular assistance, they can contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hr Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.
