Moving to Singapore from Banana Island Resort Qatar: Expat Guide queries usually come from travellers or residents used to a luxury island lifestyle near Doha who are now considering Singapore for work, family, or investment. This guide explains, step by step, how to relocate safely, what to expect in daily life, and how to find property in Singapore with Homejourney’s trusted tools and verified information.
This article is a focused cluster in Homejourney’s broader series on moving to Singapore as an expat, and it links back to our main pillar guide on safe property buying and renting in Singapore .
1. From Banana Island Resort Qatar to Singapore: Lifestyle Snapshot
If you know Banana Island as a luxury island resort near Doha with overwater villas, spa retreats and curated day trips from Doha, Singapore will feel both familiar and very different. On Banana Island, life revolves around resort facilities, private beaches and all-inclusive services; in Singapore, your world is a compact city-state where top-end hotels, hawker centres, nature reserves and global finance sit within 30–40 minutes of each other by MRT.
Many people who enjoy Banana Island’s polished service and safety are drawn to Singapore for similar reasons: strict laws, low crime, and highly reliable infrastructure. The main differences you will notice after moving are:
- Permanent city energy: Instead of a secluded island, you get a dense, highly walkable metropolis with late-night dining, 24-hour convenience stores and efficient public transport.
- More diverse food & culture: You swap resort restaurants for everything from Michelin-star dining to S$5 hawker meals, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, Middle Eastern and Western options in the same mall.
- Climate & air quality: Both Doha and Singapore are hot, but Singapore is humid and green year-round. Air quality is generally good, though short haze episodes can occur.
- Everyday prices: High-end experiences cost similar to or more than Doha, but local options (hawker food, MRT, public healthcare subsidies if eligible) can be relatively affordable.
If you’ve used Homejourney’s guides for trips to Banana Island Qatar, such as the family guide Banana Island Resort Qatar with Kids: Family Travel Guide | Homejourney or complete resort overview Banana Island Resort Qatar Complete Guide (2025) | Homejourney , you can think of this article as your bridge from “luxury island visitor” to “safe Singapore-based expat or investor”.
2. Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Work & Cost of Living
2.1 Visa and work pass options
To live and work in Singapore, most foreigners need a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[7] Common options for professionals include:
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers and executives. As of 2025, new EP applicants must typically earn at least around S$5,600 per month and meet the COMPASS points framework.[7][4] Your employer applies on your behalf.
- S Pass: For mid-level skilled staff, with a lower salary threshold but subject to quotas and levies.[7]
- EntrePass: For eligible startup founders looking to build an innovative business in Singapore.[7]
- Dependent’s Pass & Long-Term Visit Pass: For spouses and children of eligible pass holders, issued by MOM or ICA depending on your status.[1][7]
Short visits to explore neighbourhoods or attend interviews may be possible under a visit visa or visa-free entry, depending on your nationality. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers an official “Check if you need a visa” tool.[2] Always verify requirements on the official ICA and MFA sites before booking flights.
2.2 Employment opportunities after Banana Island
Many people connected with Banana Island or the Doha resort sector move into:
- Hospitality and tourism: Opportunities in Singapore’s luxury hotels (Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Sentosa), integrated resorts, and F&B groups.
- Financial and business services: If your Doha work links to finance, consulting or family offices, Singapore’s CBD around Raffles Place, Marina Bay and Tanjong Pagar can be a natural step up.
- Education and healthcare: International schools and private medical providers hire experienced professionals familiar with affluent travellers and expat families.
In practice, most expats secure a job offer first, then relocate, as this makes obtaining an EP or S Pass significantly more straightforward.[6]
2.3 Cost of living: Banana Island vs Singapore
If you have stayed in a Doha luxury island resort, your daily costs were likely bundled into room rates. In Singapore, you will see separate bills, but you have greater control:
- Rent: A modern one-bedroom condo near an MRT in city-fringe areas like Queenstown or Kallang often ranges around S$3,000–S$4,000 per month depending on age and facilities, while central Orchard / River Valley can be higher. HDB flats (public housing) are usually cheaper but have rules on who can rent.
- Food: Hawker meals (chicken rice, nasi lemak, biryani) can start from S$4–S$7, while mid-range restaurants commonly charge S$25–S$60 per person before drinks.
- Transport: MRT rides are typically under S$2 for most inner-city trips; taxis and ride-hailing start around S$4–S$5 plus distance/time.
- Utilities & aircon: For a condo, monthly utilities might range S$150–S$300 depending on aircon usage; regular maintenance through reliable providers such as those curated by Homejourney Aircon Services helps keep bills and breakdowns under control.
Because Singapore is dense and walkable, many expats who previously relied on resort transfers or private drivers in Doha are comfortable living car-free here, which reduces costs.
3. Property in Singapore for Expats from Banana Island / Doha
3.1 What foreigners can buy
Singapore has strict rules on what non-citizens can purchase. In summary (always confirm with the latest URA and SLA regulations):
- Private condominiums & apartments: Foreigners can generally buy these without prior approval, whether under-construction (new launch) or resale.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs): Foreigners can usually buy ECs only after the first 10 years, when restrictions lift and the EC becomes fully privatised.
- HDB flats: Generally not available for purchase by foreigners, except in limited cases (e.g. with Singapore citizen spouse, under specific schemes). HDB is Singapore’s public housing authority and strongly protects local access.
- Landed properties: Foreigners require approval under the Residential Property Act to purchase most landed homes; approval is not guaranteed.
Homejourney’s verified listings and project analysis tools Projects Directory help you filter out property types you are not eligible to buy, reducing risk and confusion when browsing the market remotely.
3.2 ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners
In addition to standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners typically pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) at a significantly higher rate than citizens and PRs. Rates are reviewed periodically; always check IRAS or consult a qualified conveyancing lawyer for the current percentages before committing to a purchase.
Because ABSD can easily add six figures to your total cost, Homejourney strongly recommends:
- Running total cost calculations with our mortgage and duty tools Bank Rates
- Speaking to a licensed real estate lawyer or tax advisor for tailored advice
- Comparing buying vs renting for the first 2–3 years while you assess long-term plans
3.3 Popular neighbourhoods for Banana Island–style expats
If you enjoy the island resort Qatar vibe—water views, greenery, privacy—you may gravitate to:
- Sentosa Cove: The closest Singapore equivalent to a luxury island; marina views, resort-style condos, and landed homes. Excellent for lifestyle, higher for commuting.
- Keppel Bay & Harbourfront: Waterfront condos with quick access to VivoCity mall, Sentosa, and the CBD via MRT.
- East Coast (Katong, Marine Parade, Siglap): Sea breezes, parks, and a strong café and F&B scene. Families love the proximity to international schools.
- Orchard / River Valley
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