Moving to Singapore: your relocation checklist
How to move to Singapore: the visa and residency routes, cost of living, banking, healthcare and taxes you'll deal with, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your passport, family, and budget below.
The average advertised salary is about S$7,774 a year and English proficiency is rated “very high” (EF EPI).
Moving from the United States? See the Singapore from the USA guide.
Budgeting the move? See the cost of living in Singapore.
Singapore at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Climate · Singapore
Jan 26° · Jul 28°
Open-Meteo
Air quality · Singapore
AQI 50 · Good
WAQI
Internet
~340 Mbps median
Ookla
Messengers
No known issues
OONI, 6 months to July 2026
Foreign-born residents
48.7% of population
World Bank 2024
Population
6.1M
World Bank 2025
Population density
8,242 / km²
World Bank 2023
Unemployment
2.8%
World Bank 2025
Avg advertised salary
S$7,774 / yr
Adzuna, June 2026
English proficiency
very high
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
U.S. State Dept
Currency
SGD
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC+8
Open-Meteo
Territorial-leaning system
No capital gains tax · top income rate 24%
Most foreign-source income of individuals is not taxed in Singapore; there is no special inbound regime (the old NOR scheme has lapsed).
Verified June 2026 · IRAS
Getting set up in Singapore: key steps & official resources
The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.
- There is no self-sponsored residence — you need an employer-sponsored pass from MOM (www.mom.gov.sg) (Employment Pass, S Pass, or work permit); EP has a minimum salary threshold, so verify the current figure with MOM.
- Set up SingPass (www.singpass.gov.sg) for government services; tax authority is IRAS (www.iras.gov.sg). CPF applies to citizens and PRs, not pass holders.
- Healthcare is largely private/employer-provided for foreigners. Main housing portals: PropertyGuru (www.propertyguru.com.sg), 99.co (www.99.co). Emergency 999 (police), 995 (ambulance/fire).
- Key figures (approximate — verify current values): the Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary is ~SGD 5,600/month (higher in financial services, and rises with age) plus the COMPASS points test; EP application fee is ~SGD 105 + ~SGD 225 issuance; rental deposits are typically 1 month per year of lease; agent fee is commonly half to one month.
The Singapore relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to Singapore?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does Singapore have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: Territorial-leaning system. No capital gains tax · top income rate 24%. Most foreign-source income of individuals is not taxed in Singapore; there is no special inbound regime (the old NOR scheme has lapsed). Status: active, verified June 2026 against IRAS.
What is the weather like in Singapore?
In Singapore, average daily temperatures run about Jan 26° · Jul 28° (Open-Meteo historical data, 2025). Regional climates can differ a lot; a city-level plan uses data for your exact destination city.
Can I use WhatsApp and Telegram in Singapore?
Network measurements over the last six months show Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook Messenger working normally in Singapore (OONI, 5 January 2026 to 7 July 2026). This reflects measured reachability, not an official policy statement.
What do jobs pay in Singapore?
The average advertised salary is about S$7,774 a year (Adzuna job listings, June 2026). Advertised salaries skew toward roles that are posted online, so treat this as a signal, not a guarantee.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 12 July 2026; prices, taxes and air quality 7 July 2026; messenger reachability 7 July 2026. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.