EXPATLIFE.AI
Countries ▾
Cities
Resources ▾

Expat Topics

RankingsCompareBlog
✈️

🇸🇬 Singapore

Moving Guide

Moving to Singapore is logistically straightforward — efficient Customs, English-speaking government services, and well-established relocation industry. The key surprises: you cannot bring your foreign-registered car; pet import requires careful advance planning by country; and setting up a bank account, phone plan, and ARC registration must happen in a specific order after arrival..

Within 30 days

ARC Registration

Register FIN at ICA after receiving EP card

Not possible

Car Import

Foreign-reg cars cannot be brought to Singapore

By tier (1–30 days)

Pet Import

USA: Schedule II; others vary — check NParks AVS

0%

Household Goods Duty

Personal effects duty-free on relocation (conditions apply)

Same day–5 days

Bank Account

Passport + EP card + Singapore address proof

S$15–50/mo

SIM Card (Arrival)

Available at Changi Airport on arrival; passport required

Overview🏙️Singapore Central🌊Singapore East Coast
🛂Visa🏥Healthcare💰Finance🏠Housing💼Working🌆Daily Life✈️Moving📚Education🌅Lifestyle📈Investing

Overview

Moving to Singapore is logistically straightforward — efficient Customs, English-speaking government services, and well-established relocation industry. The key surprises: you cannot bring your foreign-registered car; pet import requires careful advance planning by country; and setting up a bank account, phone plan, and ARC registration must happen in a specific order after arrival.

Key Takeaways

  • Day 1: Collect EP card from MOM Pass Office (if not mailed) — your FIN number is on this card; bring passport + In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter
  • Household goods: professional relocation companies (Crown, Santa Fe, Graebel) handle Customs In-Non-Payment (INP) approval; sea freight from London: 5–8 weeks; US West Coast: 3–5 weeks
  • SIM cards: Singtel (best coverage), StarHub, M1; also MVNOs (Circles.Life, GIGA, Tpg) for budget plans; get at airport or any telco store; passport required for registration
1

First 30 Days: Setting Up in Singapore

Singapore's bureaucratic setup is efficient but has a specific sequence — your FIN number, address proof, and bank account chain together. Getting the sequence right saves time and frustration.

  • Day 1: Collect EP card from MOM Pass Office (if not mailed) — your FIN number is on this card; bring passport + In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter
  • Get a SIM card at Changi Airport arrival hall (Singtel, StarHub, M1 counters) using your passport; telco confirmation letter serves as address proof for bank account
  • Find accommodation: use PropertyGuru or 99.co; a serviced apartment or Airbnb for the first month gives flexibility while you search
  • Open bank account: DBS allows online opening for EP holders; OCBC and UOB require a branch visit; bring passport, EP card, and tenancy agreement or telco letter
  • Register at ICA within 30 days: if your EP was issued abroad, complete your FIN registration at ICA onestop@novena or online via MyICA
  • Employer onboarding: confirm CPF account activation (for citizens/PRs), IRAS tax registration (for first-year EP), and group insurance enrollment
2

Shipping Household Goods and Importing Pets

Singapore Customs is efficient — personal effects arriving with a relocating EP holder are duty-free subject to conditions. The major surprise for many expats: your car stays home, and your pets need advance planning months before departure.

  • Household goods: professional relocation companies (Crown, Santa Fe, Graebel) handle Customs In-Non-Payment (INP) approval; sea freight from London: 5–8 weeks; US West Coast: 3–5 weeks
  • Cars: foreign-registered vehicles cannot be imported or permanently used in Singapore; you must purchase a Singapore-registered car (total cost S$150,000–200,000+ including COE); most expats skip car ownership
  • Pets — Schedule I (low risk): immediate entry or home quarantine; Schedule II (includes USA from 2025 updates): 10-day home quarantine eligible
  • All pets require: NParks AVS import licence, microchip, vaccinations up-to-date, health certificate from a licensed vet within 7 days of travel
  • Banned dog breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, and crosses — these breeds cannot enter Singapore
  • Dog licence: required after arrival; from S$15/year for sterilized dogs
3

Key Admin: Phone, Banking, and Registration

Singapore's digital infrastructure makes most admin quick — but there are key dependencies. Your phone number becomes tied to your bank account (for OTP verification), so get a local SIM first.

  • SIM cards: Singtel (best coverage), StarHub, M1; also MVNOs (Circles.Life, GIGA, Tpg) for budget plans; get at airport or any telco store; passport required for registration
  • Typical plans: S$15–20/month for 20GB (MVNO); S$30–50/month for unlimited data (major telcos); 5G available on all major plans
  • Banking: DBS Multiplier (online opening for EP holders), OCBC 360, UOB One — all require Singapore address proof (tenancy agreement or telco confirmation letter)
  • Wise and Revolut: both function in Singapore for international transfers at far better rates than local banks (S$30–60 bank wire fee vs S$3–7 on Wise)
  • Government digital services: SingPass is your national digital identity for all government transactions — activate it as soon as you have your FIN
  • Tax filing: IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority) sends a tax bill based on employer's IR8A filing; most first-year EP holders file a simple return via MyTax Portal by April 15
FAQs

Common Questions — Moving Guide in Singapore

Find Your Perfect City with AI

Describe your lifestyle and our AI matches you to the best expat cities — then simulates a full day there.

Take the Free Quiz

Expat Insights, Weekly

Visa updates, cost-of-living data, and expat stories from Singapore in your inbox.

More Singapore Guides

🛂

Visa & Residency

Singapore's work visa system is merit-based and employer-sponsored — t…

🏥

Healthcare

Singapore has a world-class healthcare system but expats on Employment…

💰

Cost of Living

Singapore is consistently ranked among the world's five most expensive…

🏠

Housing

Singapore's housing market bifurcates between public HDB flats (80% of…

💼

Work & Business

Singapore is Southeast Asia's premier business hub with regional HQs o…

🌆

Daily Life

Daily life in Singapore combines world-class efficiency with extraordi…

📚

Education

Singapore has some of the world's best universities (NUS #8, NTU #12 Q…

🌅

Lifestyle

Singapore's lifestyle punches far above its small size — Michelin-star…

📈

Investing

Everything expats need to know about investing in Singapore — from pro…

🇸🇬

Ready to explore Singapore?

Browse our city guides to find the perfect base for your expat life in Singapore.

🏙️ Singapore Central🌊 Singapore East CoastBack to Singapore Overview