Moving to Singapore from AlUla Complete : Ancient Wonder of Arabia: Expat Guide is a major lifestyle shift, but with the right information on visas, cost of living, and property rules, AlUla professionals and investors can relocate or invest in Singapore confidently and safely with Homejourney’s support.
This focused guide is a cluster resource under Homejourney’s main Singapore Expat & Property Pillar Guide , designed specifically for people with roots in AlUla Saudi Arabia, including those familiar with Hegra (Mada’in Saleh) and its ancient tombs, who are now considering Singapore for work, lifestyle, or property investment.
From AlUla’s Ancient Wonder to Modern Singapore
Life in AlUla Complete : Ancient Wonder of Arabia: Expat is shaped by dramatic sandstone cliffs, Nabataean heritage sites like Hegra / Mada’in Saleh, and a tourism economy built around history, luxury resorts, and seasonal events such as Winter at Tantora and AlUla Moments.
Many AlUla-based professionals and investors look to Singapore for three main reasons:
- Singapore’s role as a secure, well-regulated Asian financial hub
- Political stability and strong rule of law, especially for property ownership
- World-class education, healthcare, and safe urban living for families
In day-to-day life, Singapore is very different from AlUla’s desert heritage landscape, yet both share a strong focus on tourism, cultural preservation, and regulated development. AlUla tourism focuses on heritage sites and desert resorts, while Singapore tourism centres on modern attractions, efficient transport, and dense urban living.
Relocating from AlUla to Singapore: Visas, Work & Cost of Living
Visa and work pass options for AlUla-based expats
Most people moving from AlUla to Singapore will enter under one of these passes (administered by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower):
- Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals, managers, and executives with a job offer and qualifying salary (often in the SGD 5,000+ range, higher for financial services). Employers must apply, and COMPASS criteria now consider salary, qualifications, and diversity.
- S Pass – for mid-skilled workers; has lower salary thresholds but strict quotas and levies.
- EntrePass – for entrepreneurs starting venture-backed or innovative businesses.
- Dependent’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – for eligible family members of EP/S Pass holders.
Always check the latest MOM requirements and processing times on official government websites before planning your move, as criteria and qualifying salaries are periodically adjusted.
Employment opportunities for people from AlUla Complete : Ancient Wonder of Arabia: Expat
Professionals relocating from AlUla often have experience in tourism, heritage management, hospitality, construction, F&B, and events – all of which can transfer to Singapore.
Common sectors that hire expats include:
- Tourism & hospitality – roles in hotels, destination marketing, and luxury travel, useful for AlUla tourism professionals who understand high-end guest expectations.
- Real estate & urban development – including project management, sustainability, and placemaking, similar to planned heritage precincts in AlUla Saudi Arabia.
- Finance, tech, and logistics – major global employers with regional HQs in areas like Raffles Place, Marina Bay, and one-north.
Insider tip: many mid- to senior-level roles in Singapore are filled via regional recruiters and LinkedIn networking rather than open job boards, so start outreach before you leave AlUla.
Cost of living: AlUla vs Singapore
Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s most expensive cities, mainly due to rent. Expat guides estimate core monthly living expenses (excluding rent) at around S$1,500 for a single and S$5,400–S$5,500 for a family of four in 2025, depending on lifestyle.[1][8]
Key benchmarks (approximate):
- Rent: S$1,800–S$5,000/month for a 1-bedroom apartment, depending on distance from CBD.[1]
- Basic hawker food: S$4–S$7 for dishes like chicken rice or nasi lemak.[2]
- MRT ride: roughly S$1.30–S$1.60 per journey for common distances.[3][6]
In AlUla, housing and food can be cheaper, but imported goods and lifestyle services in luxury resorts can be high. Singapore offsets higher living costs with comparatively low personal income tax (often single-digit effective rates for many expats), efficient public services, and strong consumer protections.[2][3]
For a personalised budget, use the Economic Development Board’s cost-of-living calculator and compare it with your current AlUla expenses. Homejourney can help you stress-test your housing budget using live listings on our property search tool Property Search .
Finding community and social networks
While there is no single “AlUla community” enclave in Singapore, you will find:
- Arab and Middle Eastern communities centred around Arab Street, Bussorah Street, and Geylang Serai
- International Muslim communities in areas like Tampines, Woodlands, and Jurong West
- Professional and business associations that include Saudi and Gulf-region members
Insider tip: Friday prayers at larger mosques (for example, Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam or Masjid Al-Falah off Orchard Road) are good places to informally meet other Arabic-speaking expats.
Property in Singapore for AlUla Expats & Investors
Singapore has strict and well-defined rules for foreign buyers, enforced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Land Authority. Homejourney summarises these for you in a safe, easy-to-understand way, but always confirm with a qualified lawyer or tax advisor before buying.
What foreigners from AlUla can buy in Singapore
In general, non-resident foreigners (including those from Saudi Arabia) can freely buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments (non-landed residential property)
- Executive condominiums (ECs) that are at least 10 years old (fully privatised)
- Commercial and industrial property (subject to business needs and zoning)
Foreigners normally cannot buy subsidised public housing (HDB flats) directly, and landed residential property requires special government approval, which is rarely granted unless you are a Permanent Resident with exceptional economic contributions.
To explore projects in different districts, use Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory , where we compile verified data, floor plans, and price trends so investors can compare options safely.
ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for AlUla investors
Foreign buyers currently pay a significant Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty. Rates have been raised several times to cool the market, so the total tax can be substantial for non-residents.
Because ABSD rates and rules change, always:
- Refer to IRAS and official government announcements for the latest figures
- Discuss timing and structuring with a Singapore conveyancing lawyer
- Use Homejourney’s bank rates page Bank Rates to estimate total costs, including taxes, legal, and interest
Homejourney does not provide tax advice, but we present neutral, verified information and can connect you to licensed professionals through our curated agent directory who are experienced with Middle Eastern clients.
Popular neighbourhoods for AlUla expats
From working with Gulf-region clients, a few areas stand out:
- Marina Bay / Downtown / Robertson Quay – for finance and consulting professionals who want to walk to Raffles Place and enjoy riverfront dining.
- Orchard & Newton – close to embassies, international schools, and luxury malls; similar to staying in a high-end resort zone rather than a heritage area like AlUla Old Town.
- East Coast (Katong, Siglap, Bayshore)
References
