Moving to Singapore from Siquijor Mystic Island is a big shift – from the slow, mystical rhythm of the healing island to one of Asia’s safest, most efficient global cities. This Moving to Singapore from Siquijor Mystic Island: Expat Guide gives you a practical, safety-focused roadmap for visas, jobs, housing, and daily life, written for Siquijor Philippines expats and frequent visitors.
This is a focused cluster guide that supports Homejourney’s main Singapore relocation and property pillar , with tactical steps and insider details to help you move from Siquijor’s beaches and Cambugahay Falls to a secure new life in Singapore.
Life in Siquijor Mystic Island vs Singapore
If you live in or often visit Siquijor Philippines, you are used to clear water, open roads and a very relaxed pace. Locals call it the mystic island and healing island – mornings on Siquijor beaches, scooter rides to Cambugahay Falls, and evenings by the sea.
Many Siquijor residents consider Singapore for three main reasons: stable jobs, higher salaries, and world‑class safety and healthcare. Singapore regularly ranks as one of the safest cities globally, with low crime, strict regulations, and reliable public services.
Key differences you will feel immediately:
- Speed of life: Singapore is fast, punctual, and structured; Siquijor is slow and flexible.
- Cost of living: Daily life, rent, and eating out in Singapore cost several times more than in Siquijor.
- Space: You trade wide beaches and big family compounds for compact, high‑rise apartments.
- Transport: From tricycles and scooters to MRT, buses, and walkable city streets.
The similarity that comforts many expats from Siquijor: strong Asian values around family, education, and safety, and a large Filipino community already settled in Singapore.
Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Work & Costs
To live and work in Singapore, you must hold the right pass (work permit or long‑term pass) approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).[7][1]
1. Visa and work pass options for Siquijor expats
Philippine passport holders usually enter Singapore as visitors for up to 30 days if they meet general entry requirements (valid passport, return ticket, sufficient funds), then switch to a work pass if they secure employment.[3][6]
The most relevant passes are:
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers and executives, with a minimum qualifying salary of about S$5,600 per month under current rules and evaluated using the COMPASS points framework.[7][4]
- S Pass: For mid‑level skilled staff with lower salary thresholds than EP; subject to quotas and levies.[7][5]
- Work Permit: For semi‑skilled workers in sectors like construction, marine, or services; usually arranged entirely by the employer.[7]
- Dependent’s Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass: For eligible spouses, children or parents of main pass holders.[1]
Insider tip: Most employers in Singapore handle the pass application for you. Never pay large “job placement fees” to unverified agents; always confirm your pass type and status through official MOM or ICA channels.
2. Employment opportunities for people from Siquijor
Filipinos from Siquijor commonly work in:
- Healthcare (nurses, caregivers, therapists)
- Hospitality and F&B (hotels, restaurants, baristas, chefs)
- Corporate roles (accounting, IT, HR, customer service)
- Domestic work (under specific Work Permit schemes)
Recruiters and HR teams consider your Philippine education, English proficiency and prior overseas experience. If you have tourism or hospitality experience around Siquijor beaches or Cambugahay Falls, highlight it – Singapore’s tourism and F&B sectors value that background.
Local insight: Many Filipinos find their first Singapore job through referrals from friends already working there. Join Facebook and WhatsApp groups for Filipinos in Singapore, but always cross‑check any job offers against MOM’s guidelines to avoid scams.
3. Cost of living comparison: Siquijor vs Singapore
Daily life in Singapore is safe and convenient but expensive compared with Siquijor.
- Rent: A basic room in an HDB flat in towns like Woodlands or Yishun can start around S$700–S$1,000 per month, while a studio or 1‑bedroom condo in city‑fringe areas often exceeds S$2,500–S$3,000.
- Food: Hawker meals (chicken rice, noodles) are about S$4–S$7; eating in malls or restaurants quickly adds up.
- Transport: MRT and bus rides are typically S$1–S$2 per trip with a stored‑value card.
In Siquijor, your monthly housing and food costs can be less than one week of expenses in Singapore. Homejourney’s tools help you model your budget before you relocate, combining rent, expected mortgage payments from Bank Rates , and daily essentials.
4. Community and social networks
There is a large, visible Filipino community across Singapore – especially in areas like Lucky Plaza (Orchard Road), Paya Lebar, and city‑fringe neighbourhoods.
You will also find:
- Filipino churches and fellowships
- Professional associations and alumni groups
- Interest groups (cycling, hiking, beach trips back to the Philippines)
Homejourney encourages you to join verified groups and official social organisations first, to avoid unregulated financial schemes or risky housing arrangements.
Property in Singapore for Expats from Siquijor
If you are moving from the healing island for the long term, your housing journey in Singapore typically starts with renting, then considering purchase once your career and residency status are stable.
1. What property can foreigners buy?
Under Singapore’s residential property rules, most non‑residents can freely buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments (including new launches and resale units)
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) that are at least 10 years old
- Commercial properties such as offices and shops
Foreigners generally cannot buy new HDB flats and can only purchase certain HDB resale flats if they are Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) and meet HDB’s eligibility schemes.CNA Property News
Homejourney verifies project information and regulatory constraints through sources like HDB and URA, and consolidates it in our project database so you can browse safely via Projects or Projects Directory .
2. ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners
Foreign buyers are subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty. ABSD rates for foreigners are significantly higher than for citizens and PRs, and have been revised multiple times to cool the market.EdgeProp Property News
Because these rates and exemptions can change, Homejourney always recommends checking the latest IRAS and URA updates and, if needed, consulting a licensed advisor. Our stamp duty calculators are integrated with Bank Rates so you can see total upfront costs before committing.
3. Popular neighbourhoods for Siquijor expats
Based on where Filipino and Southeast Asian expats commonly rent, good starting areas include:
- Woodlands / Sembawang: More affordable HDB rentals, family‑friendly, direct MRT to city; feels less dense than central areas.
- Punggol / Sengkang: Newer townships with waterfront promenades, parks and childcare options; popular with young families.
- Tampines / Pasir Ris: East‑side towns with malls, neighbourhood parks and relatively quick access to Changi Airport.
- City fringe (Toa Payoh, Queenstown, Kallang): Higher rent but excellent connectivity; suitable if you work in the CBD.
