Singapore

SGP

Singapore's ONE Pass has matured into an established top-tier route for high-earning global talent, sitting above the Employment Pass in its qualifying salary threshold. Employment Pass minimum qualifying salaries have continued to be revised upward, particularly for older and financial-services applicants, while the S Pass has seen its own threshold and levy adjustments tightening the mid-skill foreign worker route. Overall, Singapore's work-pass framework has become more stratified and salary-sensitive across all tiers.

Naturalisation: 2 years
Tax system: Territorial
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Dual citizenship: Not allowed
Capital: Singapore
Region: asia
Population: 5,920,000
Cost-of-living: 85 /100

→ If you hold a Singapore passport, see the Singapore nationality guide

Passport Rank

Visa-Free

193

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Singapore
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Population: 5,920,000
Tax System: Territorial
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 2 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Tropical
English Proficiency Rank: #7
Territorial Taxation: Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

198

Tax Summary

Tax System: Territorial
Territorial Taxation: Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
Naturalisation: 2 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

← scroll the table →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
CBD / Marina Bay	$3,500	$2,200	$500	$180	$90
Orchard	$3,800	$2,500	$520	$190	$90
East Coast	$2,400	$1,800	$460	$165	$85
Woodlands	$1,800	$1,400	$430	$155	$85

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Singapore

27°J

28°F

28°M

29°A

29°M

29°J

28°J

28°A

28°S

28°O

27°N

27°D

Rainfall range: 112–289 mm/month · Daylight 12h (winter) to 13h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Social Visit Pass (Tourist)
Student Pass
Employment Pass
EntrePass
ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise)
Personalised Employment Pass
S Pass
Work Permit
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+)

Authority: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) / Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Official Portal: www.ica.gov.sg
Phone: +65-6391-6100
Email: ica_feedback@ica.gov.sg

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 2
Language Test: No
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: No
Fee: $75
Processing: ~12 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $16,000
Transaction taxes: 64%

Foreign buyers: Foreigners may not purchase HDB (public housing) flats. Private condominiums and apartments may be purchased by foreigners subject to Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% for foreign buyers (as of 2023). Landed property generally restricted to Singapore citizens except on Sentosa. Typical private property SGD 1,800–2,500/sqft ($13,000–$18,000/sqm).

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
Singapore American School	Singapore	American	$33,000–$43,000
UWCSEA (United World College South East Asia)	Singapore	IB	$28,000–$40,000
Tanglin Trust School	Singapore	British	$24,000–$36,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

1000 Mbps median

99% fibre coverage

eSIM: Singtel, StarHub, M1, GOMO

Driving

IDP required

Local licence required after 12 months

Exchange eligible: UK, Australia, New Zealand +4 more

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: 10 days

Rabies titre required

EU pet passport: not accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Phone scams impersonating police or government agencies
⚠fake job offers requiring upfront fees
⚠love scams on dating apps
⚠phishing SMS purporting to be SingPass

Examples of areas to avoid: Geylang late night (vice activity), Little India on public holiday nights can get crowded

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Not legal
Civil Partnerships: Not recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: No
ILGA Rank: #107

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Widely available
Prayer Facilities: Common

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. In what year did Singapore gain independence and become a republic?

Answer: 1965

Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Citizenship Guidelines

Q2. What are the four official languages of Singapore?

Answer: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil

Source: ICA Citizenship Guidelines

Q3. What is the name of Singapore's national pledge?

Answer: The National Pledge

Source: ICA Citizenship Guidelines

Related Guides

Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list

Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.