FAQ on Visitor License
Update 2025-10-18
Visiting Singapore as a licensed radio amateur? In the following you might find the answers to some of the typical questions asked.
- Does Singapore issue amateur licenses to visitors?
- How do I apply for a visiting amateur radio license in Singapore?
- The online licensing system requires a local SingPass ID. How do I get one?
- How long is the visitor license valid and how much does it cost?
- How long does the license application take to approve?
- Can I choose my own callsign?
- May I bring my own transceiver?
- What frequency bands and power will I be allowed to use?
- Is it possible to operate from a hotel?
- May I operate from a public park?
- If I can’t operate from a hotel, can I use your club station?
- If I can’t operate from a park, hotel or club, then what options do I have?
- My ship is passing through Singapore waters, can I contact you on VHF?
- What is HF propagation in Singapore like?
- I am passing through Singapore and will have a transceiver with me. I do not have a Singapore license and have no intention to operate. Will I face any difficulty at customs?
Q1. Does Singapore issue amateur licenses to visitors?
Yes. Any licensed radio amateur from overseas is eligible to apply for a temporary amateur license to operate in Singapore. There is no specific list of eligible countries or license classes which are acceptable, but most countries’ licenses are accepted as proof of qualification. If your license is not in English it is advisable to submit a translation along with your license copy. Please note that a CEPT license does not automatically allow you to operate in Singapore without authorisation.
Q2. How do I apply for a visiting amateur radio license in Singapore?
You need to get a license from IMDA, the Infocom Media Development Authority. IMDA is the local telecom regulator in Singapore and all amateur license applications are now handled online.
Q3. The online licensing system requires a local SingPass ID. How do I get one?
Since you are not a Singapore resident you need to obtain a temporary SingPass ID to use the online licensing portal. This temporary ID is called an SFA, which means “SingPass Foreign user Account”. You can get an SFA by registering here.
Q4. How long is the visitor license valid and how much does it cost?
Your license will be valid for the duration of your stay up to a maximum of 90 days. The cost is SGD 50. Once your license is approved you will receive an email from IMDA asking you to pay the license fee through their online licensing system.
Q5. How long does the license application take to approve?
Anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Certain nationalities have been known to have longer processing times than others so it’s advisable to apply 3 months in advance of your arrival date. If you have not heard anything after 4 weeks you can contact IMDA by emailing Miss Situ Xiaoying, Manager Licensing.
Q6. Can I choose my own callsign?
No. Your callsign will be 9V1/home call. Singapore does not issue full or special 9V1 callsigns to visitors.
Q7. May I bring my own transceiver?
Yes. Provided you are in possession of a valid license issued by IMDA listing the equipment that you want to bring (make and model of each radio) you will be allowed to bring it in and use it here in Singapore.
Q8. What frequency bands and power will I be allowed to use?
A summary of Singapore’s amateur frequency bands, power and classes of emissions is shown here. The latest rules for radio amateurs in Singapore are stated in the
IMDA Amateur Handbook.
Q9. Is it possible to operate from a hotel?
Yes, but it’s not easy. You will need to obtain written permission from the hotel management to erect an antenna, and approval from IMDA to use a semi-public facility like a hotel. Currently this is very difficult due to the dense, urban layout of Singapore, rooftop security issues, and a general lack of knowledge of amateur radio. At present we know of no hotels allowing ham radio.
Q10. May I operate from a public park?
Yes. But to operate from a public park you will need written permission from the National Parks Board or whoever controls the land you intend to use. There are some parks which have blanket approval for SARTS members but this list changes every few months. Please contact SARTS for more information.
Q11. If I can’t operate from a hotel, can I use your club station?
No. At the present time there is no club station in Singapore.
Q12. If I can’t operate from a park, hotel or club, then what options do I have?
One option is to use an existing 9V1 station as a guest operator. This is because the station address, equipment and antenna are already pre-approved with IMDA Just use your local host’s address on your license application.
Q13. My ship is passing through Singapore waters, can I contact you on VHF?
No. Once you are in Singapore waters operation with your home maritime mobile callsign is no longer legal. You cannot use your home call /MM, and you cannot just use 9V1/home call/MM. The only legal path is to first apply for a visiting amateur radio license with IMDA. This will require a local address.
Q14. What is HF propagation in Singapore like?
Since we are almost on the equator, the lower frequencies experience a lot of attenuation from a very thick D layer. Unless you have a decent antenna in a good location, DX is almost absent from 0900-1600 hrs local time. The 20, 17 and 15 m bands are active from late afternoons onwards. 160 m is almost not useable due to QRM/QRN. 80 m is occasionally good on late nights, but you need a decent efficient antenna. 40 m is good for a single hop in the daytime and useable for DX during sundown hours. There are lots of pirates on 40 m. The bands 12, 15 and 10 m are primarily daytime bands and good especially with a high sunspot number.
Q15. I am passing through Singapore and will have a transceiver with me. I do not have a Singapore license and have no intention to operate. Will I face any difficulty at customs?
No. As a bona fide traveller passing through, and with no intention to use the equipment here it’s highly unlikely you will be asked any questions on arrival.