Moving to Singapore from China Itinerary 14 Days: Complete Country: Expat Guide is about using a two-week China 14 days window to wrap up life in China, explore Singapore safely, and make informed decisions on work, lifestyle, and property investment with Homejourney as your trusted partner.
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s main Singapore relocation and property pillar, and is written for travelers and expats who know China through a two weeks China complete itinerary or longer stays, and are now seriously considering Singapore as their next base or investment market.
1. Life in China Itinerary 14 Days vs Singapore: What Changes?
If you have followed a China complete itinerary – from Beijing and Xi’an to Chengdu, Guilin or Shanghai – you already know how diverse and intense life in China can be.
Singapore feels very different: it is smaller, more predictable, and heavily regulated, but also extremely safe, efficient, and easy to navigate for first‑time expats and investors.
1.1 Everyday life: quick comparison
- Language: In China, even along popular China travel routes, you often rely on basic Mandarin and translation apps. In Singapore, English is the working language, with Mandarin widely spoken in hawker centres and heartland areas.
- Payments: China leans on Alipay/WeChat Pay; Singapore leans on card payments and PayNow/PayLah. Foreign cards work reliably in Singapore, which makes the transition from a China 14-day trip much smoother.
- Safety: Both are generally safe, but Singapore is famous for very low crime and strong enforcement of rules, which many expats with families appreciate.[4][6]
- Air quality: Major Chinese cities can have seasonal pollution; Singapore’s air is usually clear, with occasional regional haze periods.
1.2 Why people from China itineraries consider Singapore
- Stable, rules‑based environment for business and finance.[4][7]
- World‑class education and healthcare, attractive for expat families and long‑term investors.[4][7]
- Regional hub that connects easily back to key China cities your two weeks China itinerary likely covered (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen).[4]
- Transparent property market with clear ownership rules and government‑published data, which Homejourney aggregates via Projects and Projects Directory .
If you already used Homejourney to plan a China Itinerary 14 Days: Complete Country Guide as a Singapore traveller China Itinerary 14 Days: Complete Country Guide for Singapore Travellers | Homej... , this article is your next step: turning travel experience into a relocation or property strategy.
2. Using a 14‑Day Window to Relocate from China to Singapore
Many executives and expats schedule a 10–14 day block to exit China and land in Singapore: closing accounts, shipping belongings, and doing an on‑the‑ground check of Singapore neighbourhoods and properties.
Here is a practical 14‑day moving route, assuming you are finishing a China complete itinerary in a Tier‑1 city (Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or Guangzhou) and transitioning straight to Singapore.
2.1 Days 1–4: Wrap up in China safely
- Legal and financial tasks: Cancel or update residence registration, settle taxes, close or downsize local bank accounts, and plan foreign exchange transfers early due to yearly conversion limits.[1]
- Housing: Confirm handover dates, document the condition of your apartment, and clarify the return method and timeline for deposits (usually in RMB).[1]
- Shipping: Inventory belongings, decide what to ship to Singapore, and confirm import restrictions with the mover and Singapore customs.[1][4]
- Keep some RMB: You will still need cash for taxis, airport costs and last‑minute expenses along your China travel route.[1]
Relocation specialists recommend starting this at least 4–6 weeks before final departure from China, but a focused 3–4 day sprint is still workable if your paperwork is prepared.[1]
2.2 Days 5–7: Arrival and first orientation in Singapore
Most flights from major China hubs arrive in Singapore in the afternoon or late evening.
- Immigration: Check the latest visa/entry rules via the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website before you fly.[7]
- Where to stay first: Many new arrivals choose hotels or serviced apartments around Orchard, River Valley, or Tanjong Pagar for quick access to the CBD, or Novena and Bugis for more mid‑range options.
- Transport: From Changi Airport, the MRT brings you downtown in ~30–40 minutes; taxis and ride‑hailing apps are widely used and metered.
- Neighbourhood scouting: Use these first three days to ride the MRT and walk areas you might live in – I recommend doing this at different times of day to understand traffic, noise and crowd patterns.
2.3 Days 8–11: Visas, work and school checks
- Work passes: For most professionals, your employer will sponsor an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass via the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[7] Confirm processing status and in‑principle approval before committing to a long‑term lease.
- Family passes: Spouses and children usually enter on Dependant’s Passes or Long‑Term Visit Passes. Check current criteria on the MOM and ICA portals.[7]
- Job hunting: If you are coming without a secured role, use this window for in‑person interviews and networking in the CBD, one‑north (tech and R&D), and Changi Business Park (financial back offices and tech).[4][6]
- Schools: Visit short‑listed international schools or local schools with spaces. Commuting time from school to your potential neighbourhood is a key decision factor in compact Singapore.
2.4 Days 12–14: Property viewings and decision framework
This is where Homejourney becomes critical for safety and clarity.
- Use Homejourney’s property search Property Search to shortlist condominiums and apartments that match your budget, school/work location, and lifestyle (near hawker centres vs quieter residential estates).
- Check project‑level data such as past transactions, unit mix, and rental yields via Projects and Projects Directory before visiting.
- Speak with verified agents from Homejourney’s agent directory to ensure you understand tenant rights, standard tenancy agreements, and any red flags.
- Use Bank Rates or Mortgage Rates to benchmark mortgage packages if you are already considering a purchase rather than just renting.
You may not sign a lease or OTP (Option to Purchase) within 14 days, but this framework gives you enough verified information to avoid rushed or unsafe decisions.
3. Property in Singapore for Expats with China Experience
Whether you know China from a two weeks China itinerary or years in Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen, the Singapore property rules for foreigners are very different and much more transparent.[3][6]
3.1 What foreigners can buy
For a typical non‑resident expat:
- Allowed without special approval: private non‑landed properties such as condominiums and apartments anywhere in Singapore, and Executive Condominiums (ECs) that have fully privatised after 10 years.[3]
- Restricted: public housing (HDB flats) for purchase, and most landed houses (terrace, semi‑detached, bungalow) unless special approval is obtained from the Land Dealings (Approval) Unit.
HDB flats, which you will see all over the island, are primarily for Singapore citizens and permanent residents; foreign expats almost always rent private condos or landed homes instead.[6][7]
3.2 ABSD for foreigners
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) is a major policy difference versus many China cities.
- Foreigners buying residential property in Singapore pay ABSD on top of Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD).[3]
- Rates and exemptions change periodically; always confirm the latest schedule on IRAS or via a qualified lawyer or tax professional before committing.
