Moving to Singapore from Toronto Canada: Expat Guide – What You Need to Know First
If you are moving to Singapore from Toronto Canada, this expat guide gives you a clear, practical roadmap: visa paths, cost of living, neighborhoods, rental and buying rules for foreigners, and how to settle in smoothly with Homejourney as your trusted property partner.
This article is a focused cluster under Homejourney’s main Singapore relocation and property pillar , written specifically for Torontonians who know the TTC, PATH and the best things to do in Toronto by heart, but now want to understand Singapore’s work passes, MRT lines and where to live safely and comfortably in the Lion City.[2]
From Toronto to Singapore: Lifestyle Snapshot
Living in Toronto Canada as an expat usually means four distinct seasons, a diverse food scene along Queen Street West and Scarborough, and weekends spent exploring Toronto attractions like the CN Tower, Harbourfront and the Toronto Islands.[1][2] Toronto offers a high quality of life, efficient public transit and a welcoming multicultural population where over half of residents are foreign-born.[1]
Singapore, by contrast, is tropical and compact: no snow, high humidity, and year-round temperatures of roughly 25–32°C. Instead of the TTC subway you will rely on the MRT and buses, and instead of long drives to cottage country you might spend weekends at East Coast Park, Sentosa or exploring hawker centres like Maxwell Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat.[2]
Both cities are global finance and tech hubs with strong rule of law and low violent crime, but Singapore is even more tightly regulated, with strict enforcement on issues like drugs, drink-driving and disorderly behaviour, which most Torontonians find increases their feeling of day-to-day safety.[2]
Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Jobs & Cost of Living
Work passes and long-term stay options for Canadians
Canadians do not get automatic work rights in Singapore; you must hold a valid work pass approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[2] The main options for professionals are:
- Employment Pass (EP) – For foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer from a Singapore company. Minimum salary and qualification criteria apply, with MOM using a points-based COMPASS framework.
- S Pass – For mid‑level skilled staff in sectors like manufacturing, logistics and services. Lower salary threshold than EP but quotas and levies apply.
- EntrePass / Tech.Pass – For founders of innovative, venture-backed or tech-driven businesses (EntrePass) and established tech leaders (Tech.Pass), suitable for Torontonians in start-up and innovation ecosystems.
- Dependent’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – For legally married spouses, children and certain family members of EP and S Pass holders.
Always verify the latest salary thresholds and criteria directly on MOM’s official site before making commitments, as rules can change with labour market conditions.
Employment opportunities: From Bay Street to Raffles Place
Many Torontonians move to Singapore for roles in banking, insurance, asset management, law, consulting and tech—sectors clustered around Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Tanjong Pagar and one-north.[2] If you currently work in Toronto’s Financial District or along King West’s tech corridor, Singapore’s CBD and one-north science parks will feel like familiar, denser cousins.
Insider tip: recruiters in Singapore expect concise CVs (2 pages max), and LinkedIn networking is widely used. Arrange virtual interviews before you move; most EP applications are submitted by employers after a firm offer is made.
Cost of living: Toronto vs Singapore
Toronto is already one of Canada’s most expensive cities, with average monthly costs for a single person easily exceeding USD 3,000 when rent is included.[1] Singapore can feel similar or slightly higher overall, but the cost structure is different:
- Housing: Central condos in Singapore are comparable to or higher than downtown Toronto rents, but you can save by living further out along MRT lines in areas like Bishan, Tanah Merah, or Bukit Panjang.
- Food: Eating at hawker centres can be cheaper than eating out in Toronto—think SGD 5–8 for a full meal versus higher casual dining prices in Canada.[4]
- Transport: Public transit is generally cheaper than in Toronto, and many expats forgo owning a car due to high vehicle taxes and COE (Certificate of Entitlement) costs.
- Tax: Singapore personal income tax is progressive but typically lower than Canada’s top marginal rates, which can offset some day-to-day costs.[4]
Homejourney encourages new arrivals to build a detailed first-year budget, including rent, schooling, health insurance and flights back to Toronto, before deciding whether to rent or buy.
Property in Singapore for Expats from Toronto
What foreigners can (and cannot) buy
Singapore distinguishes clearly between citizens, permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners under the Residential Property Act. As a new arrival from Toronto, you will be treated as a foreigner for housing purposes unless you obtain PR.[2]
- Private condominiums and apartments: Foreigners can freely buy private condos and apartments without prior government approval.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs): You can buy ECs on the resale market after the 10‑year mark, when they become fully privatized. New ECs and those under 10 years are subject to citizenship/PR rules.
- HDB flats: Public housing built by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) is generally not available for foreign purchase. As a foreigner you may only rent an entire HDB flat under approved schemes, subject to occupancy and eligibility rules.
- Landed property: Purchase of landed homes (e.g. terrace, semi‑detached, bungalow) in non‑condominium developments typically requires approval from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and is rarely granted to non‑PRs, with some exceptions for Sentosa Cove.
Because regulations are specific and may change, Homejourney always recommends checking HDB and URA guidance and consulting a licensed real estate professional before committing to any purchase.
ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners
Foreign buyers in Singapore pay Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) on a sliding scale plus Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). As of recent policy rounds, ABSD for most foreigners is significantly higher than for citizens and PRs, which can materially change your investment math.
You should:
- Use Homejourney’s tools and calculators to estimate BSD and ABSD for different price points .
- Factor ABSD into your total budget, not just the sticker price of the condo.
- Seek tax and legal advice if you are buying under a company structure or holding entity.
Popular neighbourhoods for Toronto expats
From a Toronto expat’s perspective, some Singapore neighbourhoods map loosely to familiar parts of the GTA:
- River Valley / Robertson Quay – Central, walkable and right by the river, with cafes and gyms. Think of this as a blend of downtown Toronto condo living and the St. Lawrence Market area.
- Tiong Bahru – Low‑rise art‑deco blocks, indie cafes, and a local wet market; a little like living between Roncesvalles and the Annex.
- Holland Village / Buona Vista – Popular with Western expats, near international schools and one‑north tech hub; comparable to midtown Toronto with a strong café and bar scene.
- Katong / East Coast – Heritage shophouses, food streets and easy access to East Coast Park. If you love Leslieville or the Beaches in Toronto, this area will feel familiar.
Use Homejourney’s property search to filter by MRT line, price, and property type, and to view verified listings only: Property Search . Our verification process and focus on user feedback help you avoid mis‑represented listings and unsafe transactions.
Rental market overview
For most Torontonians, renting first is the safest way to learn the city before deciding whether to buy. Typical lease terms are two years with an optional diplomatic clause for early exit if your employment ends.
Insider tips from long‑term expats in Singapore:
- View properties at the time of day you expect to be home so you can check noise from expressways, construction or nearby bars.
