What tourists can actually open in Singapore
Most major banks in Singapore will not open a full savings or checking account for you on a tourist visa. Banks like DBS, OCBC, and UOB require proof of residency — typically a lease agreement, utility bill, or employment letter — which tourists do not have. What you can open instead depends on your length of stay and the bank's policy, but the options are narrower than what residents get.
If you are staying fewer than 30 days, you will not open an account at all. If you are staying longer — on a social visit pass that extends beyond 30 days, or on a work visa, student pass, or dependent pass — some banks will open a basic savings account, but with restrictions. The account usually cannot be opened online; you must visit a branch in person with your passport and proof of your current address in Singapore.
A few banks have different rules. OCBC and UOB sometimes open accounts for tourists staying 30 days or longer if you bring a letter from your employer or school. DBS is stricter. Smaller banks and digital-only banks like Revolut or Wise have their own requirements, which change. The fastest way to know what you can actually open is to call the bank's tourist or expat hotline before you arrive.
Key Takeaways
- Tourists on standard visit passes shorter than 30 days cannot open any bank account in Singapore.
- If your stay extends beyond 30 days, you may open a basic savings account, but you must visit a branch in person with your passport and proof of a Singapore address.
- Most banks require proof of residency such as a lease, utility bill, or employment letter — documents tourists typically do not have.
- Digital banks and money transfer services like Wise or Revolut may have different rules and should be contacted directly before arrival.
What documents you need to bring to a bank branch
Bring your original passport and a valid travel document showing your entry stamp and current visa status. The bank will photocopy both. Do not bring a copy; banks will not accept it.
You also need proof of your current address in Singapore. This is the hardest part for tourists. A hotel booking confirmation, Airbnb reservation, or letter from the person whose address you are using can work, but policies vary by bank. Call ahead and ask exactly what the bank will accept — some want a utility bill in your name, which you will not have as a tourist, while others accept a letter from your accommodation or your employer.
If you are in Singapore on a work visa or student pass, bring an employment letter or school enrollment letter on official letterhead. This letter should state your name, your role or program, and the expected duration of your stay. Some banks will open an account on this letter alone, without a residential address document.
How long it takes and what you can do with the account
Opening an account at a branch takes 20 to 45 minutes if you have all documents. The bank will give you a debit card on the spot or mail it to your Singapore address within 5 to 7 business days. You can use the card to withdraw cash and make purchases immediately, even if the physical card has not arrived yet — most banks activate a temporary digital card the same day.
A tourist account is usually a basic savings account with a low or zero minimum balance. You can deposit and withdraw money, receive transfers from overseas, and send money out of Singapore. You cannot overdraft, and you may not be able to apply for a credit card or loan. Some banks limit the number of transactions per month or charge a monthly fee if your balance falls below a threshold.
International transfers into your account work the same way as for residents — you give the bank your account number and the SWIFT code, and money arrives in 1 to 3 business days depending on the sending bank. Transfers out of Singapore to your home country also take 1 to 3 business days and may carry a fee of 15 to 30 Singapore dollars.
Alternatives if you cannot open a bank account
If your stay is too short or the bank will not open an account for you, a travel money card or digital wallet is faster. Wise, Revolut, and OFX let you load money before you arrive and use it to withdraw cash from ATMs or pay at shops. These are not bank accounts — they are prepaid cards — but they work for most tourist needs. You can load them from your home country and use them immediately in Singapore.
A credit card from your home country is the simplest option if you have one. Visa and Mastercard work at most shops, restaurants, and ATMs in Singapore. You will pay a foreign exchange fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) on each transaction, but you avoid the need to open an account entirely.
If you need to receive money from someone in Singapore or send money home regularly, ask your accommodation or employer whether they can help you open an account. Some employers will sponsor a tourist's account opening, and some landlords will provide the address letter you need. This is worth asking before you assume it is impossible.
What happens to your account when you leave Singapore
If you close your account before you leave, the bank will return any remaining balance to you by cheque or transfer it to an overseas account. Closing takes one visit to a branch and takes about 15 minutes. Bring your passport and debit card.
If you leave without closing the account, the bank will freeze it after a period of inactivity — usually 12 months. You can reactivate it if you return to Singapore and visit a branch, but if the account remains inactive for several years, the bank may close it and send any remaining balance to the Singapore government's unclaimed money office. You can reclaim it, but the process is slower.
Some banks charge a monthly fee on dormant accounts, which will slowly drain your balance. Check your bank's policy on inactive accounts before you leave, and close the account if you do not plan to return soon.
Banks most likely to open accounts for tourists
OCBC and UOB are generally more flexible with tourists than DBS. Both will sometimes open an account for someone on a social visit pass longer than 30 days if you bring a letter from your employer or school. Neither requires a lease or utility bill if you have an employment letter.
DBS is stricter and usually requires proof of residency — a lease, utility bill, or employer letter — even for people on work visas. If DBS turns you down, try OCBC or UOB first.
Smaller banks like CIMB and Maybank have different rules and may be more or less flexible depending on the branch. Digital banks like Wise and Revolut do not have physical branches in Singapore, so you cannot open an account in person, but you can open one online before you arrive if you meet their requirements — which typically means having a valid passport and a way to verify your identity through video call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account online as a tourist?
Most traditional banks require you to visit a branch in person and show your passport. Digital banks like Wise and Revolut let you open an account online, but they are not full bank accounts — they are prepaid cards or money transfer services. You can open them before you arrive in Singapore.
What if I do not have a Singapore address yet?
Call the bank before you arrive and ask what they will accept as proof of address. A hotel booking, Airbnb reservation, or letter from your employer or the person whose address you are using may work. Some banks are flexible; others are not. Getting this answer before you arrive saves a wasted trip to a branch.
Can I use my tourist account after I leave Singapore?
Yes, you can use it to receive money from Singapore or send money home. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs overseas using your debit card, though you will pay a foreign exchange fee. If you do not use the account for 12 months, the bank will freeze it.
Do I need a Singapore phone number to open an account?
Most banks will ask for a phone number, but they will accept your home country number if you do not have a Singapore one yet. You can get a prepaid SIM card at the airport for about 15 to 20 Singapore dollars if you want a local number, but it is not required to open an account.
What if the bank says no?
Try another bank — policies vary. If no traditional bank will open an account for you, use a travel money card like Wise or Revolut instead. They are faster to set up and work for most tourist spending.