Singapore is Asia's top hub for high-value professionals: a strategic gateway to the region, a low and simple tax system, a AAA-rated stable government and among the best healthcare and safety records in the world. It suits senior executives, tech and finance talent and entrepreneurs far more than budget nomads.
Updated: 3 September 2026 : Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com
2026 snapshot
Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary is SGD 6,000/month (general sector, age 23 and below), rising with age and cleared against the COMPASS points framework. The ONE Pass threshold is SGD 30,000/month. Foreign buyers pay a flat 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty on any residential property. Singapore has no capital gains tax.
Source: MOM
Singapore at a Glance
| Capital | Singapore (city-state) |
| Currency | Singapore Dollar (SGD) |
| Language(s) | English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil |
| Time zone | SGT (UTC+8) |
| Monthly budget | ~SGD 3,000-6,000 |
Who Singapore Is Best For
Singapore rewards high earners: senior managers, fintech and AI specialists, founders and family-office professionals who value low, simple taxes, top-tier schools, direct Asia-Pacific flight connections and one of the world's safest, most efficient cities. It is a poor fit for anyone chasing a low cost of living: rent, school fees and car ownership are among the highest in Asia, and there is no low-threshold digital-nomad or retirement visa.
Visa & Residency Routes
Main Passes
| Pass | Who it's for / current threshold |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Professionals, managers, executives. Min. SGD 6,000/month (23 or under) up to SGD 11,500/month (45+); financial services SGD 6,600-12,700. Must also clear COMPASS (40 of 80 points across salary, qualifications, nationality diversity and local-employment support); fixed salary of SGD 22,500+/month is exempt from COMPASS. |
| S Pass | Mid-skilled staff. Min. SGD 3,300/month rising to SGD 4,800 at 45+ (financial services SGD 3,800-5,650). Employer quota: 10% of workforce in services, 15% in manufacturing/construction/marine/process, plus a monthly levy. |
| ONE Pass | Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass for top global talent. Fixed salary of SGD 30,000/month for the past 12 months (or a firm offer at that level), or an outstanding-achievement track in sports, arts or academia. Valid 5 years, not tied to one employer. |
| EntrePass | Founders of a Singapore Private Limited company holding 30%+ shares, with a venture-backed or innovative, scalable business, assessed by MOM/EDB partners. |
| Tech.Pass | Established tech leaders: last-drawn salary SGD 20,000+/month, or founder income above SGD 240,000/year, or 5 years leading a product with 100,000+ users or USD 100M+ revenue. Being phased into a new ONE Pass (AI & Tech) track from January 2027. |
| Permanent Residence (PR) | ICA assesses each case holistically (employment history, family ties, community contribution) - no fixed points system. Singapore targets around 40,000 PR grants a year through 2030, largely via the EP/S Pass professionals scheme. |
See also: Singapore visa overview, requirements, fees, extension and processing times.
Step-by-Step Process
- Employer (or you, for EntrePass/Tech.Pass) files the pass application via MOM's Work Pass system
- Receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter
- Submit the SG Arrival Card online within 3 days before entering Singapore
- Enter Singapore and complete pass issuance/formalities in person
- Open a bank account and secure housing
- Apply for Dependant's Passes for spouse/children, if eligible
- After several years of continuous employment, consider a Permanent Residence application via ICA
Digital Nomads & Remote Work
Singapore has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. Most nationalities enter visa-free for 30-90 days as a Short-Term Visit Pass and may not legally work for a Singapore or foreign employer while on it beyond incidental business meetings. Remote workers who want to base here long-term should target the ONE Pass (SGD 30,000/month) or Tech.Pass, or set up a Singapore company and self-sponsor an EntrePass or EP.
Working Locally
Employment Pass and S Pass holders are tied to their sponsoring employer; changing jobs requires a fresh application. There is no freelance visa: independent consultants typically incorporate a Singapore Private Limited company and hold an EntrePass or an EP as director. Demand is strongest in banking, fintech, AI/tech, professional services and biotech, concentrated in the CBD, Raffles Place and one-north.
Retirement
There is no dedicated retirement visa. Retirees typically stay via a Dependant's Pass as the spouse of a working EP/S Pass/ONE Pass holder, an LTVP as the parent of a citizen or PR, or the Global Investor Programme (GIP), which grants PR for an investment from SGD 10 million. Singapore's high cost of living makes it a destination for wealthy retirees rather than a budget option.
Family & Dependants
An EP, S Pass, ONE Pass or EntrePass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000 can sponsor a Dependant's Pass (DP) for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. Common-law partners, step-children, parents and handicapped children instead need a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), assessed by MOM or ICA depending on the sponsor. DP holders can apply for a Letter of Consent to work.
Healthcare
Public System
Singapore's healthcare consistently ranks among the world's best. MediShield Life, the basic public insurance scheme, automatically covers citizens and PRs only - foreign pass holders are not enrolled.
Foreign Workers
Employers must buy at least SGD 60,000/year of hospitalisation and day-surgery insurance for each Work Permit and S Pass holder, a rule strengthened again on 1 July 2025. There is no equivalent legal minimum for EP holders, though most employers provide group medical cover.
Health Insurance
Because MediShield Life and the private Integrated Shield Plans that top it up are reserved for citizens and PRs, EP holders and dependants need a separate private or international plan. Employer group insurance usually covers the employee only, so spouses and children on a Dependant's Pass typically need their own policy from a Singapore or international insurer.
Banking
DBS, OCBC and UOB all open personal accounts for EP, S Pass and Dependant's Pass holders aged 18+, with a valid pass (or IPA letter for DBS), passport and proof of a Singapore address. DBS and UOB generally require a branch visit; OCBC and DBS offer partial online applications. Initial deposits range from SGD 0 (DBS Multiplier) to SGD 1,000 (OCBC 360, UOB One).
Tax Residency
You become a tax resident once you work or stay in Singapore for 183 days or more in a calendar year (cumulative, weekends and business trips included), and are then taxed at progressive resident rates from 0% up to 24% on chargeable income above SGD 1 million. Staying 61-182 days is taxed at 15% flat or resident rates, whichever is higher; under 61 days is generally not taxed. Gains from selling shares or property held as genuine investments are not taxed - IRAS looks at intent and holding pattern to rule out disguised trading. EP, S Pass and Dependant's Pass holders do not pay CPF; only citizens and PRs contribute.
Housing: Renting & Buying
Renting
Most expats rent private condominiums, which have no restrictions. HDB flats can also be rented by EP, S Pass, Work Permit, DP and LTVP holders for up to 2 years (renewable), subject to a non-citizen quota of 8% per neighbourhood and 11% per block.
Buying
| Property type | Foreigner rule |
|---|---|
| Private condo/apartment | No approval needed, freehold or leasehold |
| Landed house | Requires Singapore Land Authority approval under the Residential Property Act |
| HDB flat | Reserved for citizens; PRs only under specific schemes after 3 years' residence |
| ABSD (foreigners) | Flat 60% on any residential purchase |
Best Areas for Expats
| Area | Profile |
|---|---|
| Orchard / River Valley | Central, high rent, dense expat community |
| Holland Village / Bukit Timah | Family-friendly, near top international schools |
| Tanjong Pagar / CBD | Young professionals, walk to the financial district |
| East Coast / Katong | Laid-back, beachfront park, popular with families |
| Novena / Newton | Mid-range rent, central, near hospitals |
Cost of Living
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| 1BR condo, city centre | SGD 3,500-5,500/month |
| 2BR condo, outside centre | ~SGD 3,600/month |
| Hawker centre meal | SGD 5-8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | SGD 40-60 |
| Public transport pass | SGD 120-150/month |
| Single professional, all-in | SGD 3,000-6,000/month |
Indicative, editorial estimate, September 2026 - housing typically accounts for 40-60% of an expat budget.
Transport & Driving Licence
The MRT and bus network, paid for with an EZ-Link or SimplyGo card, reaches nearly every part of the island. A foreign driving licence remains valid for up to 12 months, after which it must be converted (theory plus practical test) via the Traffic Police. Car ownership is deliberately expensive: a Certificate of Entitlement (COE), required before you can even register a car, regularly costs well over SGD 100,000, so most expats rely on public transport or ride-hailing.
Schools & Education
Public (government) schools, overseen by the Ministry of Education, accept PR and foreign students subject to seat availability and the AEIS placement test, at higher fees than for citizens. Most EP-holder families instead choose an international school - Tanglin Trust, UWC South East Asia, Singapore American School, ISS International - typically SGD 20,000-40,000+ per year, with long waitlists for popular campuses.
Phone & Internet
Singtel, StarHub and M1 are the main telcos, alongside MVNOs such as Circles.Life and Giga; a passport is required to register any SIM. A tourist/traveller SIM is available on arrival at Changi Airport. Home fibre broadband is fast, cheap and available almost everywhere.
Safety & Emergency Numbers
Singapore is consistently ranked among the world's safest cities, with very low violent crime. Police: 999. Ambulance/Fire: 995. Non-emergency police hotline: 1800-255-0000.
Moving Checklist
- Secure your pass or In-Principle Approval before booking flights
- Submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival
- Sign a lease and register your address
- Open a bank account (DBS, OCBC or UOB)
- Buy private health insurance if not covered by your employer
- Get a local SIM and set up SP Group utilities
- Apply for Dependant's Passes and enrol children in school
- Convert your driving licence if staying beyond 12 months
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low, simple taxes; no capital gains tax | High rent and school fees |
| World-class healthcare and safety | Passes are employer-tied; no easy freelance route |
| English-speaking, efficient bureaucracy | 60% stamp duty for foreign property buyers |
| Strategic Asia-Pacific hub, excellent flight links | Car ownership extremely expensive (COE) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way for a foreigner to move to Singapore?
Almost every long-stay route runs through employment or investment: an Employment Pass sponsored by a Singapore employer is the most common path for professionals, while the ONE Pass suits top earners who want a pass not tied to one company.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?
From SGD 6,000/month for applicants aged 23 or under, rising to SGD 11,500/month at 45 and above (financial services: SGD 6,600-12,700). Applicants must also clear the COMPASS points framework unless they earn SGD 22,500/month or more.
Do I need to pay CPF as a foreign employee?
No. Employment Pass, S Pass and Dependant's Pass holders are not enrolled in the CPF scheme. Only Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents contribute to CPF.
Is there capital gains tax in Singapore?
No. Gains from selling shares or property held as genuine long-term investments are not taxed. IRAS may treat frequent, short-term buying and selling as taxable trading income instead.
Can foreigners buy property in Singapore?
Yes, private condominiums and apartments freely, but landed houses need Singapore Land Authority approval and HDB flats are reserved for citizens (and PRs under specific schemes). Foreign buyers pay a flat 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty on any residential purchase.
What health insurance do I need as an expat?
MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans only cover citizens and PRs, so Employment Pass holders and dependants need private or international health insurance; employers must buy at least SGD 60,000/year of cover for S Pass and Work Permit holders.
How long can I stay before I become a tax resident?
You become a tax resident once you work or reside in Singapore for 183 days or more within a calendar year, taxed at progressive resident rates from 0% up to 24%.
Is there a digital nomad visa for Singapore?
No. Singapore has no dedicated digital-nomad visa; short-term visitors cannot legally work locally, so long-term remote workers need a work pass such as the ONE Pass or Tech.Pass, or must incorporate a company.
About This Guide
Researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com against official MOM, ICA, IRAS, MOH, HDB and CPF Board sources. Pass thresholds and tax rules change frequently: always confirm current requirements on the official portal before making a decision. Last verified: 3 September 2026.