We initially did not have this section but found there were some searches on this topic. Though there are several ways you could arrive here we're assuming here you will come on an International flight at Singapore Changi Airport and you are not being picked-up by a colleague or friend.
If you are arriving after a long flight you probably cannot be bothered by it too much but you are in fact arriving at one of the best airports in the world, the no. 1 according to some surveys, and you will find your transit through the airport quite smooth.
After you disembark there are the occasional checks these days of hand-luggage directly after the sky-bridge, bothersome but the price for safety. Exiting into the main corridors just follow the very clear signage to 'baggage claim' that will lead you to the stairs/escalator to ground level.
After you go down you will encounter the Immigration counters, queues here are generally very short. Make sure you have filled-out your dis-embarkation card to avoid any hold-up. The 'purpose of visit' section may be a bit tricky; your company may be in the process of applying your Employment Pass but you probably don't have it yet and without it you are not allowed to 'work' here but putting a tick in 'work' without the pass can lead to many questions too, its a bit of a chicken and egg story off course but the safest is probably to tick 'business' and your family 'holiday', make sure you get your permits as soon as possible though. More on visa and permits in our Singapore Visa Section.
The baggage claim area is spacious, your belt number is clearly marked and there is never a shortage of trolleys so you should have no worries. Though there are always exceptions the baggage generally arrives very quickly.
You don't have to worry about carrying any liquor, cigarettes or cosmetics onto the plane, you can still buy them in the baggage claim area at competitive prices, particularly compared to the city where alcohol and tobacco are heavily taxed. You'll need your passport and boarding pass.
Going through customs is generally a breeze, you seldom see someone being stopped or questioned. Having said this it is still wise to stay inside the allowable limits of anything you can bring in and not bring anything prohibited, if they check you and find something they will be very serious.
Depending with how many people you are and how much luggage you have you can take a regular taxi or get a minivan. For the regular taxi just join the queue (clearly signposted), the wait is seldomly more then a few minutes (though again there are exceptions). For the minivan or 'limousine' just go to the desk marked as such and you will helped along. If you want to know more about taxis visit our Singapore Taxis Section.
Do you need more info? Leave a message on our expat message board!
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