How to Move to Singapore: Full Guide (2025)

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Interested in moving to Singapore? Here’s what you need to know:

🇸🇬 Singapore at a Glance

• Sovereign City-State: Singapore has a population of about 6.1 million and an impressive life expectancy of over 84 years.
• Open Economy: Holds the title of the world’s most open economy with a GDP of over $515 billion USD.
• Diverse Mix: 28.9% of residents are foreigners, showing off a long history of ethnic diversity.
• Financial Hub: Known as Asia’s trade and investment powerhouse; thriving financial sector, but sometimes criticized for storing funds from repressive regimes.
• Geography: A city-state mainly on Pulau Ujong, connected to Malaysia and other islands by road.

🏠 Living Essentials

• Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• Languages:
  • Almost everyone speaks English (main business language)
  • Chinese is rising in importance
  • Malay and Tamil are also common
  • 48.3% speak English at home, 29.9% speak Mandarin
• Major Religions:
  • Buddhism (31.1%)
  • Christianity (18.9%)
  • Islam (15.6%)
  • Hinduism (5.0%)
  • Taoism (8.8%)
  • No Religion (20%)
• Major Races:
  • Chinese (74.3%)
  • Malay (13.5%)
  • Indian (9%)
  • Others (3.2%)

🤔 Why Choose Singapore

• Multicultural Vibes: Dive into one of Asia’s most diverse and multicultural communities—find both Asian and Western cultures side by side.
• Food Paradise: From delicious, affordable hawker centers to world-class restaurants—it’s a foodie’s dream!
• Shopping Heaven: Elite shopping for everyone—think designer brands and bargain electronics under one roof.
• Top Investment Spot: Fastest-growing startup ecosystem powered by deep government investment, especially in digital tech and AI (thanks to the Smart Nation initiative).
• Economic Transparency: Ranked 5th least corrupt country globally; clear corporate governance and simple taxation for businesses.
• Health & Safety: Super safe streets and high-quality healthcare (at a premium).
• Central Location: Easy access to the rest of Southeast Asia—hop on a bus or plane and explore!
• Clean Environment: Low pollution, clean air, and a national push for electric vehicles by 2040.

⚠️ Singapore Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

• Limited Interracial Mixing: Even with diversity, 1 in 2 Singaporeans don’t have a friend from another race.
• Racial Discrimination: Chinese Singaporeans may receive favored treatment, with job ads sometimes requesting Chinese-only candidates.
• Restricted Free Speech: Strict government censorship on political, religious, racial, and sexual topics; lawsuits used to silence criticism. Non-commercial art is rare.
• Few Outdoor Activities: Tiny city-state means limited beaches and green spaces—most activity is city-centered.
• Expensive Housing: High property prices like Hong Kong or NYC; budget options often mean room sharing.
• LGBT Rights: Discrimination is common; male-male sex is illegal, and it’s tough for LGBT individuals to rent homes.
• Tough Laws & Penalties: Breaking the law can mean caning or long jail terms.
• Harsh Drug Laws: Mere possession, use, or trafficking of popular drugs can mean the death penalty (e.g., more than 15g cannabis, 3g cocaine, or 100g opium).

🛂 Singapore Visa Guide

Access to an employment pass will depend on a worker’s skill and education level.

Getting a Work Pass in Singapore

• Employment Pass (EP): For highly skilled professionals; minimum salary of SGD $5,600/month (SGD $6,200 for the financial sector). Higher salaries increase approval chances, especially due to recent restrictions. Older applicants (mid-40s) may need to show at least SGD $10,700/month. Employers apply for the EP on your behalf.
• Personalized Employment Pass (PEP): For top-tier foreign professionals. Remains valid even if you change employers. Requirements: Current EP holders need a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500+; foreign professionals outside Singapore need a last drawn salary of S$18,000+ (in the last 6 months).
• EntrePass: Made for foreign entrepreneurs starting a business in Singapore.
• Training Employment Pass: For foreigners in special training for executive/specialist roles.
• EP Eligibility Certificate: Discontinued since 2011.

Mid-Skilled Workers

• S Pass: For mid-skilled workers with a minimum salary of SGD $3,300/month. Evaluated on salary, skills, job requirements, experience, and education.
  • Finance sector: Minimum S Pass salary will be S$3,800 (from Sept 1, 2025 for new apps; Sept 1, 2026 for renewals).
  • Levy Alert: Tier 1 levy increases from S$550 to S$650 on Sept 1, 2025.

Low-Skilled Workers

• Work Permit: For low-skilled workers (e.g. nannies, maids, performance artists). Valid for up to 2 years and tied to one employer/position.
• Miscellaneous Work Permit: For short-term jobs.
• Work Permit for Performing Artists: For shows at clubs, bars, etc. Valid up to 6 months.
• Work Holiday Program: For recent university grads. Live & work for up to 6 months.
• Training Work Permit: For unskilled/semi-skilled workers in training (up to 6 months).
• Key Tip: The more skilled/educated you are, the easier it is to get a pass!
• Dependents: Can apply separately under a different visa scheme.

The more skilled or educated you are, the easier it will be to obtain a Singaporean Employment Pass. Dependents of those holding any work permit can apply separately, under a different visa scheme.

🛬 Residency & Citizenship

Permanent Residency

• Apply through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
• Must fit one of these groups:
  • Spouse or unmarried child of a Singaporean/PR
  • Work pass holders (only P, Q, S passes)
  • Investor/entrepreneur
  • Aged parent of a Singaporean
• Apply via ICA’s e-PR portal; processing takes 6-12+ months.

Citizenship

• PRs who’ve lived in Singapore 2+ years can apply online via ICA.
• Spouses can apply after 2 years as PR or after 2 years married.
• Children born overseas to Singaporeans are eligible.
• Application steps: Prepare documents, submit online, attend citizenship ceremony.

💼 Business in Singapore

• Foreigners can start businesses easily!
  • To work as a paid employee for your own company, you need a pass.
  • Without a pass? You can volunteer for your own business.
• Ways to Start:
  • Found your own company: Need at least one Singaporean director. A professional firm must handle incorporation.
  • Register a foreign branch/rep office: Professional firm required.
    • Must register with the Accounting and Corporate Regulator Authority.
    • Banking/Insurance: Register with Monetary Authority of Singapore.
    • Research: Register with International Enterprise Singapore.
    • Need at least one local authorized representative.
    • Comply with local financial reporting standards.
    • Submit certified copies of parent company’s docs (Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum, Articles of Association).
• Business Registration Tips:
  • Register online via Bizfile with Singpass.
  • Minimum: One director & one shareholder.
  • Pay registration fees via credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
• Global Investor Programme:
  • Singapore connects investors and visa services if your fund meets their standards.
  • Option A: Invest S$10M+ in a new/existing business.
  • Option B: Invest S$25M in approved funds.
  • Option C: Family offices with S$200M AUM and at least S$50M invested in specific categories.

📚 Helpful Resources

• Singapore Ministry of Manpower: All details on employment passes & visas.
• Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA):  Info about visas, PRs, and citizenship.
• LinkedIn Singapore – professional networking platform that hosts extensive local job listings and employer outreach capabilities

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