{
  "id": "banking/foreigner-account-needs-pass",
  "signature": "AI tells a tourist they can open a Singapore bank account easily on a visit",
  "signature_zh": "",
  "regex": "(singapore.*bank.account|singapore.*bank.*open|open.*account.*singapore|singapore.*foreigner.*bank)",
  "domain": "banking",
  "category": "administrative_barrier",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "Opening a standard Singapore bank account generally requires an Employment Pass, S Pass, Student Pass, or Dependant's Pass plus proof of local address; tourists usually cannot open ordinary accounts. Some banks offer foreigner/wealth accounts with high minimum balances. Local apps and PayNow typically need a local account or pass.",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "any",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "Try to open a normal Singapore current account as a tourist on a short visit",
      "why_fails": "Local banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) generally require a valid pass (EP/S/Student/Dependant) and proof of address; tourists are typically declined for standard accounts.",
      "fail_rate": 0.75,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.mas.gov.sg/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "Assume a foreigner/wealth account works like a basic local account",
      "why_fails": "Foreigner or priority accounts often require high minimum balances (and fees if not met) and are not designed for everyday low-balance use.",
      "fail_rate": 0.5,
      "condition": "Using a wealth account for everyday banking",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Open the account once you hold a valid pass, bringing your pass, passport, and proof of local address.",
      "success_rate": 0.8,
      "how": "After your EP/S/Student/Dependant pass is issued, apply at a major bank with address proof.",
      "condition": "Holding a valid Singapore pass",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.mas.gov.sg/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "For short stays, use no-foreign-fee cards and widely accepted contactless/PayWave rather than a local account.",
      "success_rate": 0.85,
      "how": "Singapore is highly card-friendly; use international cards and ATMs.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": null,
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": null,
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.55,
  "resolvable": "partial",
  "first_seen": "2024-01-01",
  "last_confirmed": "2026-06-14",
  "last_updated": "2026-06-14",
  "evidence_count": 3,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": [
    "banking/foreigner-account-needs-pass/sg"
  ]
}