Moving to Singapore from Qatar is a major life decision that affects your career, finances, family life, and long‑term investment plans. This definitive Homejourney guide is written specifically for Qatar expats in Singapore, Qataris in Singapore, and anyone planning to relocate to Singapore from Doha or other cities in Qatar.
Drawing on on-the-ground experience in neighbourhoods like Tanjong Pagar, Orchard, East Coast, and Jurong, and using verified data from Singapore government agencies, this guide combines insider tips with step‑by‑step advice so you can make safe, confident decisions. Homejourney’s priority is user safety and trust, so we highlight regulatory details, typical costs, and red flags to avoid throughout.
Executive Summary: What Qatar Expats Need to Know About Singapore
If you are currently in Doha, Lusail, Al Wakrah, or elsewhere in Qatar and considering a move, here is a concise overview:
- Visa & work passes: Most Qatar citizens need a visa or pre‑clearance to work in Singapore; long‑term stays rely on Employment Passes, S Passes, or Dependant’s Passes.[3][6]
- Cost of living: Everyday costs and rents are generally higher than Doha, but tax is low (no tax on most foreign‑sourced income, no capital gains tax).
- Housing: Foreigners can rent freely and buy most condominiums, but face Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on purchases as foreign buyers.
- Lifestyle: Singapore is denser and greener than Doha, with reliable public transport (MRT, buses), strict safety standards, and a multicultural social environment.
- Connectivity to Qatar: Direct flights between Doha and Singapore (around 7–8 hours) make it feasible to maintain business and family connections.[1]
Use Homejourney’s trusted tools — from property search to mortgage rate comparison and project data — to plan each step safely: Property Search , Bank Rates , Projects Directory .
Table of Contents
- Life in Qatar vs Life in Singapore: Key Differences for Expats
- Relocating to Singapore from Qatar: Visas, Work Passes & Jobs
- Property in Singapore for Expats from Qatar
- Cost of Living: Doha vs Singapore
- Settling In: Banking, Healthcare, Education & Daily Life
- Getting Around Singapore: Transport & Commuting Tips
- Maintaining Connections with Qatar
- Success Stories: Why Qatar Expats Choose Singapore
- FAQ: Qatar Expat Singapore Relocation Questions
- Next Steps & How Homejourney Keeps Your Move Safe
1. Life in Qatar vs Life in Singapore: Key Differences for Expats
1.1 Overview of Life in Qatar
If you are based in Doha, you are used to a car‑centric, lower‑density city with extreme summer heat, strong expatriate communities, and relatively affordable fuel and utilities. Housing can be more spacious for the price, and compounds are common for families.
Most expat life revolves around driving, malls, and private clubs. Alcohol is highly regulated; public transport is developing but not yet at the level of Singapore. Many senior professionals receive housing, schooling, and transport allowances.
1.2 Why People from Qatar Consider Singapore
Qataris and Qatar-based expats typically look at Singapore for several reasons:
- Regional diversification: Using Singapore as a base for ASEAN and Asia‑Pacific investments.
- Education: Access to top international schools and universities.
- Business hub: Singapore’s stable regulations, strong banking system, and extensive double‑tax agreements.
- Quality of life: Clean, safe streets, green spaces, efficient public transport, and a multicultural society.
- Property investment: Stable, tightly regulated real estate market with transparent data via URA and HDB.[3]
1.3 Key Similarities and Differences: Qatar vs Singapore
Insider tip: If you love Doha’s modern waterfront areas like The Pearl, you will likely enjoy Singapore’s Marina Bay, Robertson Quay, and Sentosa Cove. These areas offer waterfront promenades, dining, and high‑end condominiums popular with international residents.
2. Relocating to Singapore from Qatar: Visas, Work Passes & Jobs
2.1 Entry Visa & SG Arrival Card
Whether you are a Qatari citizen or another nationality residing in Qatar, you must check Singapore’s official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) visa requirements.[5][7] You generally need to:
- Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.[7]
- Have sufficient funds and an onward/return ticket.[7]
- Submit the SG Arrival Card electronically within 3 days before arrival (except for certain land‑border exemptions).[7]
Some nationalities require a visa in advance. Applications from Qatar are usually made via the Singapore Embassy in Doha or authorised visa agents.[6]
2.2 Applying for a Singapore Visa from Doha
The Singapore Embassy in Doha lists the core requirements for a visa application from Qatar, including:[6]
- Completed visa application form.
- Recent passport‑sized colour photograph.
- Copies of passport pages and any valid visas to other countries.
- Confirmed air ticket or itinerary.
- Letter of Introduction (LOI) from a local Singapore company or authority.[6]
- English translations of any Arabic documents.[6]
Processing times typically range from a few working days to about a week, but you should apply well ahead of travel. Always verify requirements on ICA or the Embassy’s latest notices before applying.[5][6]
2.3 Work Passes: Employment Pass, S Pass & Others
For Qatar expats who want to live and work in Singapore for more than a short visit, you will usually need one of these Ministry of Manpower (MOM) passes (employers are typically the applicants):[3]
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers, and executives with a qualifying fixed monthly salary and acceptable qualifications.
- S Pass: For mid‑level skilled staff meeting salary and quota criteria.
- EntrePass: For eligible foreign entrepreneurs setting up innovative, venture‑backed businesses.
- Dependant’s Pass & Long‑Term Visit Pass (LTVP): For spouses, children, and in some cases parents of eligible pass holders.[3]
Pass criteria and minimum salary thresholds are updated regularly. Rely on MOM’s official calculator and check your eligibility through your employer or a licensed relocation specialist. Homejourney recommends consulting qualified immigration professionals for complex family situations or business set‑ups.
2.4 Employment Opportunities for People from Qatar
Professionals relocating from Doha to Singapore often move within similar sectors:
- Energy & commodities trading (oil & gas, LNG, shipping, petrochemicals).
- Banking, wealth management & Islamic finance.
- Engineering, construction & infrastructure.
- IT, fintech, cybersecurity & data.
- Hospitality, aviation & logistics.
Unlike Qatar, where packages can include generous housing and schooling allowances, Singapore compensation structures may separate base salary from housing support. When evaluating offers, factor in realistic rent levels (see Section 3) and school fees if you have children.
2.5 Community & Social Networks for Qataris in Singapore
Singapore has a smaller Qatari community compared with larger Middle Eastern diasporas, but you will find:
- Embassy‑linked events and national day receptions.
- Regional Arab professional and business networks.
- International schools with students from the Gulf region.
- Mosques and halal‑certified eateries across the island (e.g., Kampong Glam, Geylang Serai).
For a sense of how international communities integrate into safe Singapore neighbourhoods, you can also refer to Homejourney’s USA‑focused guides, which highlight similar safety and community principles: USA Community and Networks in Singapore: Homejourney’s Safe Living Guide and Life in Singapore for USA Expats: Homejourney’s Safe Relocation Guide .
3. Property in Singapore for Expats from Qatar
Whether you are a Qatar expat Singapore professional on a two‑year posting or a Qatari investor building a long‑term Asia portfolio, property decisions are critical. Singapore’s market is heavily regulated for safety and transparency, and Homejourney is designed to help you navigate it with confidence.
3.1 What Types of Property Can Foreigners Buy?
As a non‑Singapore citizen (including Qataris), you are generally free to buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments (freehold or leasehold).
- Strata‑titled commercial units (offices, shops) subject to financing and regulatory considerations.
- Serviced apartments & branded residences (subject to specific project rules).
However, foreigners typically cannot buy:
- HDB flats (public housing) directly, except in very limited cases for Singapore PRs meeting specific conditions (and not as foreign citizens alone).
- Landed residential property (e.g., bungalows, semi‑detached, terrace houses) without special approval from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
Insider tip: Most Qatar expats start with a private condo close to MRT lines on the Downtown, Circle, or East‑West Line. This balances lifestyle (cafés, malls, greenery) with commuting convenience, especially if you are used to long Doha car journeys and want to reduce daily travel time.
3.2 ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for Foreigners
Singapore imposes Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential purchases, on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD). Foreigners, including most Qataris, are subject to ABSD at the rate applicable at purchase time. The exact percentage changes with policy updates, so always verify with IRAS or a qualified conveyancing lawyer.
Before committing to any purchase, you should:
- Use official calculators to estimate BSD + ABSD.
- Confirm your residency and tax status (e.g., if you later become a Singapore Permanent Resident, ABSD rules can differ).
- Budget legal fees, valuation fees, and potential renovation costs.
Homejourney’s projects directory includes verified information on new launches and resale projects, helping you compare prices per square foot, transaction history, and location data: Projects Directory .
3.3 Popular Neighbourhoods for Qatar Expats
Based on common preferences of Middle Eastern and Gulf expats who value convenience, space, and family‑friendly facilities, these Singapore districts are attractive starting points:
- Marina Bay / CBD (Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar): Ideal if you are relocating from Doha’s West Bay and prefer to live near the financial centre, with direct access to offices, high‑rise condos, and high‑end dining.
- Orchard & River Valley: Central, upscale, close to embassies, malls, and international schools. Good for families who want walkable access to amenities.
