Moving across borders as a recent foreign graduate is a major milestone. If you're thinking about making Singapore your base to launch your career, then you’ve come to the right place for a comprehensive guide on all the things you need to know about moving to, as well as working and living in Singapore. Let’s begin!
In this guide:
With a population of 5.6 million people, Singapore, also known as “Lion City”, is a bustling, tropical metropolis known for its culture, unique cuisine, exceptional cleanliness and safety, as well as best-in-class public transport system and infrastructure. It’s also a multi-ethnic society with the main ethnic communities being Malays, Chinese, and Indians.
Singapore serves as a great starting point for you to explore other regions in Asia. And interestingly enough, it’s a city, country, and an island - all at once. When it comes to world ranking, Singapore is in the top 10, including but not limited to - 3rd place on the 2022 Chandler Good Government Index, 7th place on the Global Innovation Index 2022 (GII), 10th place on the 2022 Expat Insider list, and moving up two spots to 3rd place on the 2022 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings.
The cleanliness of this country is one of its many remarkable qualities. Singapore is the ideal destination to relocate to if you like a more disciplined way of life. It’s regarded as one of the world's cleanest and greenest countries, giving it the title of “Garden City”. From the moment you step out of the airport, you can expect to see trees lining the streets and you’ll discover the many other lush municipal parks, natural reserves, and even award-winning gardens like Gardens by the Bay.
Safety is probably high on your list of concerns when it comes to moving abroad for work. Well, the good news is that Singapore is one of the safest places to move to, ranking 1st place on the 2022 Safety Perceptions Index! Its citizens are reported to have a higher level of trust in the police as compared to those in other countries. And there’s even a thing in Singapore that if you leave your belongings unattended, they’ll likely be there waiting for you when you return. Don’t do it, of course.
One of the best aspects of living in Singapore is its cuisine - both unique and rooted in the culinary traditions of many different areas and early settlers. You’re going to be spoiled for choice!
Hawker centers and food courts are both affordable options for dining out. Expect to spend between 3 SGD - 20 SGD / US$2 - US$14 per meal. Both of these options offer some of the best food in the heart of Singapore's dining scene from Chinese to Malay to Indian and even Peranakan delicacies.
Must-try food in Singapore includes:
For food delivery services, make sure you download apps like GrabFood, FoodPanda, and Deliveroo.
Due to its proximity to the equator, Singapore experiences warm, humid weather that often ranges between 70% - 90% humidity all year round. Its tropical climate makes it hard to enjoy outdoor activities without sweating, especially during midday. Light surface winds rarely provide any major relief. Because of all this, it’s best that you pack more lightweight clothing, and always use and reapply sunscreen frequently if you’re going to be outdoors for long periods of time.
Singapore is among the top 10 most expensive cities for international employees. Professional salaries usually match the high cost of living, and packages for most expats, but unfortunately not all, include things like allowances for transportation and housing. As accommodation is likely to be your largest expense, you might have to consider living further away from the city centre and opt for apartments or public housing like HDB flats instead of lavish condominiums. Eating out and drinking alcohol can be extremely expensive in Singapore, but you can save some money by choosing to eat at cheap hawker centres or cook simple meals at home.
You may already know that chewing gum is banned in Singapore, but if you didn’t… There’s your fun fact of the day! This should give you an indication of how Singapore is able to boast a low crime rate and impeccable cleanliness. The country has very strict laws that both locals and foreigners must follow. There are even cameras monitoring everything to keep the city clean and monitor unlawful activities, so you may feel uncomfortable at the beginning.
Graduates relocating to Singapore frequently find employment prospects in the following areas:
Singapore is rapidly gaining a reputation for being a leading regional technology and financial hub, even overtaking Hong Kong as Asia’s top financial center. It’s seeing a growing demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals in IT and engineering roles. There’s a lot of opportunity in industries that will have a high demand for tech such as financial services, biotech, medtech, and professional services. The public sector will also need more tech-savvy people to help the government's digital transformation projects like LifeSG, CODEX, and E-Payments.
Outside of sg.prosple.com, the best job portals that you can explore to find jobs in Singapore are:
Here’s a list of Singapore’s 100 leading graduate employers to help you on your job hunt.
You can also use one of the employment agencies in Singapore to help you find a job, or check out these top recruitment agencies in Singapore that you can reach out to:
To start your career in Singapore, you must have a valid pass (commonly known as a work visa) and you will need to secure a job before arriving. Usually, your employer will act as the sponsor of your visa.
There are different types of passes for professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, trainees and students, and family members. The one that applies to you depends on your qualifications and occupation.
The 3 main passes that are most likely to be applied for by a recent graduate are:
If you’re unsure about which pass is suitable for you or perhaps have a more niche work situation, you can view the full list of available work visas and requirements here.
In Singapore, one week is counted based on a continuous period of seven days starting on Monday and ending on Sunday. The common work arrangements fall into two main categories:
If you work 5 days or less in a week - Required working hours are 9 hours/day or 44 hours/week
If you work more than 5 days a week - Required working hours are up to 8 hours/day or 44 hours/week
If you work more than the required regular hours (excluding breaks), you’re entitled to overtime pay depending on if you’re:
You’re eligible to get one rest day per week (not a paid day) from your employer, which can be on a Sunday, or any other day of the week.
You’re also entitled to paid annual leave, but only if you have worked for your employer for at least 3 months. Your annual leave entitlement depends on how many years of service you have with your employer, which begins from the day you start working for your employer.
You start with 7 days of annual leave for the first year of employment. This increases by one day per year until your 8th year when you receive 14 days of annual leave. After your 8th year, your annual leave entitlement remains at 14 days per year onwards.
You’re also entitled to both paid outpatient sick leave and paid hospitalisation leave if you’ve worked for at least 3 months with your employer. If you’ve worked for 6 months or more, you will get full entitlement to both.
The number of days of paid sick leave you’re entitled to depends on your period of service, being up to 14 days for paid outpatient sick leave and 60 days for paid hospitalisation leave (the 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave includes the 14 days of sick leave).
If you’re a new employee, paid sick leave/hospitalisation leave is pro-rated according to your length of service. You must have worked for at least 3 months to be entitled to this.
As a working mother, you’re entitled to either 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave or 12 weeks of maternity leave, depending on whether your child is a Singapore citizen, including other criteria. As a working father, you’re entitled to 2 weeks of government-paid paternity leave for all births if you meet the proper requirements.
Finally, you’re entitled to 11 paid gazetted public holidays in a year. If the holiday falls on a rest day, your next working day will be counted as a paid holiday.
English is the most widely spoken language in Singapore and is the language of choice for business and official purposes. Other official languages include Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. You may also encounter some unfamiliar new words from time to time. This is Singlish, a particular Singaporean colloquial English dialect. Polish up on your Singlish. It’ll be your ticket to fitting in with the locals.
As a country, Singapore is a conservative society that values obedience and respect for authority. Workplaces typically have a strong hierarchy. Seniors in age and rank are treated with major respect, and their decisions are rarely questioned by those in lower positions.
Be alert and aware of cultural nuances to avoid offending local sensitivities. One major stereotype that you will encounter is the idea of being kiasu, which refers to someone who is competitive and worried due to a fear of missing out. It’s believed that Singaporeans think this mindset is necessary to succeed in a competitive society, even if it can occasionally come across as aggressive and opportunistic.
The property market in Singapore can be divided into public and private sectors, with public housing being offered by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).
Most public complexes are situated in self-contained neighbourhoods that afford you easy access to public transport, shopping centres and other convenient amenities. Prices vary depending on the area or suburb, the size of the property, and its proximity to schools and public transport. Given the rising cost of housing in Singapore, it never hurts to check with your employer beforehand if housing is included as part of your compensation package.
Around 80% of Singapore's population lives in HDB housing. A reasonable housing option for a recent graduate in Singapore is a rental HDB unit. Mind you, there are non-citizen quotas in place, so availability is limited. Be sure to check with your landlord if they have special permission from the government to rent out their entire property.
You can expect to pay about 1,000 SGD - 2,800 SGD / US$700 - US$2,000 each month for a shared unit in an HDB flat (room rent) or a condo apartment (private) with a shared bathroom. If you prefer having the whole unit to yourself, it’ll cost you about 2,100 SGD - 6,500 SGD / US$500 - US$4,500 to rent a studio apartment/one-bedroom unit in the HDB flat.
Here's where you can look for properties to rent:
Leases are generally signed for one or two years, and to secure a rental, expats will need to provide the landlord with a Letter of Intent (LOI). The deposit required is about one month’s rent. Once you have reached an agreement with your landlord, you must sign a Tenancy Agreement. The agreement has to be stamped by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for it to be considered a valid contract.
Utilities like electricity, the internet and telephone are not usually included in your rent, so you will have to sort this out yourself.
As a recent foreign graduate, getting around in Singapore to go about daily life is very convenient as the public transportation system is extensive, safe, reliable and efficient. P/S: Food and beverages are prohibited on public transportation, so don’t say you weren’t warned.
Cars in Singapore are highly regulated by the government, and various fees and taxes are levied, resulting in high costs for buying a car. So getting around by MRT, bus, taxis, or rideshares like Grab are much cheaper options for you.
Here’s what you need to know about the 3 main public transportation systems in Singapore:
The country code for Singapore is +65. Most carriers provide both pre-paid and post-paid SIM cards. Remember to bring your passport and any supporting documents requested by the provider when signing up for a new phone line, which usually comes with a 2-year contract (but that’s okay because sometimes you get a new phone too!). If you want to keep using your current phone, check if it supports Singapore's GSM frequency bands (GSM 900 and 1800), as a Singapore SIM card does not function on all foreign phones.
To get started, check out any of these telecommunications providers in Singapore:
For Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), you can consider Circles.Life, MyRepublic or Geenet.
As a newcomer in Singapore, you might want to engage in sites like Singapore Global Network (SGN), InterNations and Meetup. These platforms are a great way for you to meet new friends, making your transition to Singapore an exciting one. Also, consider joining online communities on Facebook such as Expats in Singapore or Singapore Expats.
Associations are another amazing way to build more connections. Some associations in Singapore include:
All work and no play? No way! Not when you’re in a totally different country. And especially not when you’re in Singapore, where there are a ton of fun things to do and see. Check out Singapore’s many attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore River Cruise, S.E.A Aquarium, Marina Bay Sands, and more. The list goes on. Singapore also has a pretty cool nightlife and music scene, where you can meet more locals, and at the same time, have a great time out.
In Singapore, all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) are automatically enrolled on the Ministry of Health’s subsidised health insurance policy called Medishield Life and its booster counterpart, Integrated Shield Plans. Expatriates residing in Singapore with a valid visa, however, can purchase the Integrated Shield Plans but will not get the government-subsidised portion from Medishield Life.
You’re required to have an expat health insurance plan in place in order to access Singaporean healthcare facilities. Most large and medium-sized companies will include health insurance in their employment packages. The coverage of this insurance would usually include:
5 health insurance plans that you can consider are:
For emergencies in Singapore, here’s a list of numbers to keep in mind:
To enter Singapore, your COVID-19 vaccination must be up to date. Stay updated on COVID-19 SOPs in Singapore here. Although there are no specific vaccination requirements for Singapore, the government does require proof of yellow fever vaccination from those arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever. Other recommended vaccines include typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, rabies and influenza.
The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD), also represented as S$.
Besides being a major international financial hub, Singapore is also home to a number of significant multinational banks and local banks that have grown to be regional banking players. Trusted banks that you can choose from are:
Local
Multinational/International
Do note that most banks in Singapore charge a “fall below fee” if your average monthly bank account balance falls below a certain amount.
You can either book an appointment to walk in or apply online to open a bank account. To open a bank account, you need the following:
In Singapore, you’re considered a tax resident if your period of stay is equivalent to or more than 183 days in a year, or if you have a Singapore Permanent Residency (SPR).
For personal income tax, rates are calculated on a progressive scale from 0 to 22%. On the other hand, residents are taxed only on income derived from or accrued in Singapore. Head over to Singapore’s Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore website to find out more about the tax breakdown and rates.
Before moving from your homeland to Singapore, it’s important that you get some background information on your embassy in Singapore. Details such as the location, the respective ambassador and what kind of service they provide to their citizens, will be useful to you in the future.
There are 73 resident foreign High Commissions and Embassies, 44 foreign Consular posts, and 14 International Organisations in Singapore. Here’s the full Diplomatic and Consular list.