Moving to Singapore from Pakistan can be a life-changing step, whether you are coming from the historic streets of Lahore, the planned serenity of Islamabad, or Pakistan’s spectacular mountain regions like Hunza and Skardu. This expat guide from Homejourney focuses on what Pakistan nationals need to know about visas, jobs, housing, and daily life in Singapore, with practical details to help you make safe, confident property and lifestyle decisions.
This article is part of Homejourney’s broader international relocation series and links back to our main pillar guide on moving to Singapore for foreigners . It is tailored for Pakistan citizens who know the history, culture and mountains of home and now want a secure, trusted way to explore Singapore as a place to live, work, or invest.
Life in Pakistan vs Life in Singapore: What to Expect
Living in Pakistan means a rich mix of history, culture and mountains: Mughal-era architecture in Lahore, diplomatic enclaves and green belts in Islamabad, and dramatic northern peaks that attract Pakistan travel enthusiasts from all over the world. Many professionals from Pakistan look to Singapore for higher salaries, political stability, and a safe, rules-based environment for families and investments.
Compared with major Pakistan cities, Singapore is:
- More expensive day-to-day, especially for rent and cars, but with higher average incomes.
- More compact and walkable, with an MRT network that usually gets you across the island within 45–60 minutes.
- More regulated and predictable, which many expats from Pakistan appreciate for safety, cleanliness, and transparent rules.
Culturally, both places are family-oriented, respect elders, and value hospitality. Singapore’s Muslim community is well-established, and halal food is widely available, which makes the transition easier for many Pakistan expats.
Relocating from Pakistan to Singapore: Visas, Work Passes and Jobs
Visa and Work Permit Options for Pakistan Citizens
Most long-term Pakistan expats in Singapore arrive on a work pass rather than a tourist/visit visa. For stays longer than 30–90 days, you will need a long-stay visa or work pass approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).[1][2]
Key passes relevant to Pakistan professionals include:
- Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals, managers, and executives. As of 2025, the qualifying salary for new EP applications is about S$5,600 for younger workers, higher for older applicants.[3] The COMPASS framework scores you on salary, qualifications, nationality mix, and your employer’s local hiring.[3]
- S Pass – for mid-skilled roles with lower salary thresholds than EP but stricter quotas at the company level.[2]
- EntrePass – for entrepreneurs starting venture-backed or innovative businesses.[1]
- Student’s Pass – for full-time study at approved institutions.[2]
Short-term visits from Pakistan for tourism or business generally require checking ICA’s latest visa requirements, then applying through the Singapore High Commission or an authorised visa agent in Pakistan.[1][8] Rules can change, so verify on ICA’s official site before you book tickets.
Employment Opportunities for Expats from Pakistan
Pakistan expats in Singapore are commonly found in sectors such as IT, software engineering, banking, petrochemicals, shipping, logistics, and academia. Demand is strongest for roles that are highly skilled and pay above the EP minimum; junior generalist roles now face tougher scrutiny under COMPASS.[3]
Insider tip: companies in Changi Business Park (near Expo MRT), one-north (near Buona Vista MRT) and the CBD around Raffles Place/Tanjong Pagar tend to hire large numbers of foreign professionals. Plan your home search with commuting patterns in mind—many Pakistan families prefer to live on the East-West Line or Downtown Line for easy access to these job hubs.
Cost of Living: Pakistan vs Singapore
Compared with Islamabad or Lahore, you should expect:
- Rent: often the largest expense. A typical 2-bedroom condo in city-fringe areas (e.g. Queenstown, Kallang) can range from about S$3,500–S$5,000 per month, while a similar HDB flat might be S$2,800–S$3,800, depending on age and location (estimates only; always check latest listings on Property Search ).
- Food: local hawker meals start from around S$4–S$7, but eating out at mid-range restaurants will feel closer to prices in top-tier Islamabad or Lahore eateries.
- Transport: public transport is affordable (MRT/bus rides often S$1–S$2+ with a stored-value card), but car ownership is extremely expensive due to COE.
Homejourney helps you model housing budgets in Singapore dollars while still thinking in Pakistani rupees, through our multi-currency support and tools .
Property in Singapore for Expats from Pakistan
What Foreigners Can Buy
As a non-resident foreigner from Pakistan, you are generally allowed to buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments anywhere in Singapore.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) that are more than 10 years old, which are fully privatised.
To buy landed property or certain restricted residential properties, you must seek approval from the Singapore Land Authority, and approval for non-residents is tightly controlled. Foreigners cannot buy new HDB flats directly from HDB and face strict conditions even for resale HDBs, which are primarily for citizens and Permanent Residents.[9]
For up-to-date rules and project-level details, Homejourney’s verified listings and project database Projects Directory aggregate URA, HDB and developer data so you can cross-check facts before making an offer.
ABSD for Pakistan Nationals
Foreign buyers must pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty. Pakistan citizens are generally classified as foreign individuals for ABSD purposes, unless they also hold citizenship or permanent residence in a country with special agreements. The ABSD rate for foreign individuals has been significantly increased in recent years, so this can add a large upfront cost to your purchase.
Because tax rules change, always verify the latest ABSD percentages on IRAS’ official site and consult a qualified tax adviser or lawyer before committing to a purchase. Homejourney keeps its calculators updated to reflect the latest ABSD tiers and flags these costs clearly in property search results Property Search so you are never surprised at completion.
Popular Neighborhoods for Pakistan Expats
From first-hand experience working with Pakistan clients, the following neighbourhoods tend to be popular:
- East Coast / Marine Parade – Relaxed, sea-breeze lifestyle, parks and cycling paths. Around 25–35 minutes by bus or MRT to the CBD. Strong appeal for families who enjoy outdoor life, especially if you are used to open spaces in Islamabad or the mountain valleys.
- Little India / Farrer Park – Vibrant South Asian community, easy access to mosques, halal and desi food, and cultural shops. You will find familiar ingredients, spices and restaurants reminiscent of Lahore’s food streets.
- Jurong East / Clementi – Convenient for those working in the west or one-north. Many Pakistan engineers and researchers in universities and science parks choose these areas for shorter commutes.
- Novena / Toa Payoh – Central but slightly quieter than Orchard, with quick access to hospitals, malls and schools.
You can explore actual current listings in these neighbourhoods, with verified photos and details, via Homejourney’s property search Property Search .
Rental Market Overview
Most Pakistan expats start with renting. Typical landlord expectations include a 1- or 2-year lease, two months’ security deposit for 2-year leases, and one month’s notice. HDB flats offer more space-per-dollar, while condos provide pools, gyms and tighter security.
Insider tip: always insist on an inventory list and photograph the condition of the unit during handover. Homejourney works only with verified agents and landlords where possible and encourages you to cross-check landlord and agent registration numbers with CEA. We also provide guidance on safe rental practices and tenant rights .
If you intend to buy later, you can monitor new launch and resale price trends through Homejourney’s projects directory Projects and then speak to our trusted agents directory for personalised help . For financing comparisons, use our mortgage and bank rates tools Bank Rates to see how your Pakistan income and savings could translate into borrowing power in Singapore.
