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Moving from China to Singapore
Everything Chinese professionals need to know about the Employment Pass (EP), tax, housing, and settling in.
Second largest expat group. ~500,000 Chinese nationals.
Employment Pass Minimum Salary
SGD 5,600/month (age 23)
Tax Comparison
China Individual Income Tax (IIT) top rate 45% vs Singapore max 24%
Tax Treaty
Full Double Taxation Agreement (DTA)
What works in your favor
- ✓China-Singapore DTA covers dividends, interest, royalties
- ✓Large Chinese-speaking community, Mandarin widely understood
- ✓Many Chinese universities on COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) top-tier list
- ✓Familiar food culture (hawker centres, Chinese cuisine everywhere)
Things to watch out for
- ⚠China social security (五险一金) stops during Singapore (SG) employment
- ⚠China forex control: USD 50,000 annual exchange limit
- ⚠Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) 60% if buying property as foreigner
- ⚠Spouse Dependant's Pass (DP) work restrictions since May 2021
Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) Details
Full Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) — dividends 5-10%, interest 7-10%, royalties 6-10%