Moving to Singapore?
Here's everything you need to do.
Stop Googling. Stop asking ChatGPT. 13 verified steps, in order, with real instructions sourced from MOM, IRAS, and ICA.
Free. No signup. Personalized to your situation in 30 seconds.
Tell us about you
3 quick questions. Your checklist personalizes immediately. No signup.
What you'll see
13 verified steps for moving to Singapore. Pick your situation above to get a personalized order with done/undone tracking.
- 1Singapore Arrival Card
Every traveller to Singapore must submit this within 3 days before flight. Skip it and you may be denied boarding.
- 2Collect your EP card
You can't open a bank account, register SingPass, or sign a lease until you have your physical EP card. This is the gate.
- 3Get a Singapore SIM card
Without a Singapore phone number you can't set up SingPass, banking, or two-factor authentication. Buy a SIM at the airport.
- 4Open a bank account
You need a local bank account to receive your salary, pay rent, and use SingPass services. Most expats pick DBS Multiplier.
- 5Register for SingPass
SingPass is your digital ID for 2,700+ government and private services. Without it you can't file taxes, open accounts, or access HealthHub.
- 6Find and sign a lease
Singapore rentals require 1 month deposit + 1 month advance. Lease 12-24 months. Agent fee usually employer-paid. Check stamp duty deadline.
- 7Pay rental stamp duty
0.4% of total lease rent. Due 14 days after signing. Late penalty: up to 4x the original amount. Pay online via IRAS e-Stamping.
- 8Set up utilities (SP Group)
SP Group handles electricity, water, and gas in one account. Deposit ~SGD 600. Set up online with SingPass before move-in.
- 9Get health insurance
EP and DP holders get NO public coverage. A 3-day SGH stay is SGD 4,500-12,000 unsubsidised. Private insurance is essential, not optional.
- 10Register address with ICA
Singapore law requires you to register your address with ICA within 14 days of any move. Free, 1 minute via MyICA app. Skip and you risk fines.
- 11File income tax (annual)
Annual deadline: April 18. File via myTax Portal with SingPass. SRS contributions reduce taxable income up to SGD 35,700/year — biggest saving.
- 12Apply for Dependant's Pass
EP holders earning SGD 6,000+ can sponsor a DP for spouse and children under 21. Apply via EP Online. Processing time 3-8 weeks.
- 13Enroll kids in school
International school waitlists are 12-18 months. Local schools are brutal for foreigners (P1 phase 3). Start applying BEFORE you arrive.
Why this is better than Google + ChatGPT
Curated
Google gives you 10,000 results. We give you 13. The ones you actually need. In order.
Sourced
Every fact links to an official MOM / IRAS / ICA page with a verification date. No hallucinations. No 6-month-old snapshots.
Personalized
A DP holder sees different steps than an EP holder. A family with kids sees school enrollment. We don't pretend everyone is the same.
Trackable
Mark items done as you go. Come back tomorrow. We remember where you are. No 12 cold Google searches.