Moving to Singapore from Visit Route: Expat Guide – What You Need to Know First
If you are moving to Singapore from Visit Route: Expat, the key steps are: enter on a Short-Term Visit Pass, secure a job offer or qualifying investment, obtain the right work pass, then decide whether to rent or buy using a trusted platform like Homejourney that prioritises user safety, verified listings, and transparent information.[3][7]
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s main pillar on safe, trusted international relocation and Singapore property buying, and focuses specifically on the Visit Route: Expat–to–Singapore journey. Whether you first discovered Homejourney while planning a Dubai 3 days stopover, a weekend Dubai city break, or a short trip Dubai Dubai itinerary for your Dubai first visit, this guide shows how to turn that regional travel curiosity into a confident long-term move to Singapore.
1. Life in Visit Route: Expat vs Singapore
Many Visit Route: Expat residents look at Singapore for its political stability, strong rule of law, and highly regulated real estate and financial systems. Both are regional hubs that attract global talent, but Singapore’s strict urban planning and consumer protections make it especially attractive for risk‑aware expats and investors.[6][7]
From my experience advising expats who split time between Visit Route: Expat and Singapore, the biggest lifestyle differences you will feel in your first month are walkability, humidity, and public transport. In Singapore, you can comfortably rely on MRT and buses from day one, and most major expat districts like Tanjong Pagar, River Valley, and Novena are within 5–10 minutes’ walk of an MRT station or major bus corridor.
A common pattern: professionals base themselves in Visit Route: Expat for wider Middle East access, then choose Singapore as their Asia base for its predictable regulations, family-friendly environment, and transparent property regime. Homejourney is built precisely for this audience—users who want the dynamism of Asia but insist on verified data, safety, and trust.
2. Relocating to Singapore from Visit Route: Expat – Visas, Jobs, Costs
2.1 Visa and work pass options
Most Visit Route: Expat residents start with a Short-Term Visit Pass when they first enter Singapore to explore neighbourhoods, visit schools, and attend interviews.[3] This pass is typically issued on arrival for 30–90 days depending on nationality and is meant for tourism or preliminary business meetings—not for actual employment.[3]
To live and work in Singapore, you must hold an appropriate pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM):[7]
- Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals, managers, and executives. From 2025, candidates generally need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 and must pass the COMPASS points framework, which assesses salary, qualifications, diversity, and local employment support.[2][7]
- S Pass – for mid‑level skilled employees, with lower minimum salary than EP but quotas and levies apply.[7]
- EntrePass or other business/investor passes – for founders and investors meeting specific innovation or investment criteria.[7][5]
You cannot convert a tourist Visit Pass directly into an EP yourself. Your Singapore employer or corporate service provider must apply for the EP while you are outside or inside Singapore, following MOM’s procedures.[7] Always refer to MOM’s official site for current eligibility and salary benchmarks.[7]
2.2 Employment opportunities for Visit Route: Expat expats
In practice, Visit Route: Expat professionals in finance, logistics, aviation, hospitality, and tech often find natural roles in Singapore’s banking, commodities, digital assets, and regional headquarters ecosystems. MOM’s COMPASS system currently favours in‑demand skills such as AI, cybersecurity, quant finance, and advanced manufacturing, especially when salaries exceed sector medians.[2][7]
A practical route many expats use is:
- Schedule a 1–2 week scouting trip during your Short-Term Visit Pass.
- Line up interviews and networking meetings in the CBD, One‑North, and Changi Business Park.
- Once you secure an offer, your company files for your EP; you then use the IPA (In‑Principle Approval) letter to enter and collect your pass.[7]
2.3 Cost of living comparison: Visit Route: Expat vs Singapore
Singapore’s housing and car ownership are typically more expensive than many Visit Route: Expat cities, but healthcare, public transport, and day‑to‑day food can be more affordable if you live like a local. A hawker‑centre lunch around the CBD (e.g., Amoy Street Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat) still averages S$5–S$8 for rice or noodle sets, versus significantly higher prices at tourist restaurants.[3]
For housing, a centrally located one‑bedroom condo near Tanjong Pagar MRT can easily rent for S$4,000–S$5,000 per month, while a similar unit in a fringe neighbourhood like Paya Lebar or Queenstown might be in the S$3,000–S$4,000 range, depending on project age and facilities.[3] Homejourney’s Property Search and Projects Directory give you verified rental ranges and historical transaction data so you can cross‑check asking rents and avoid overpaying.
2.4 Community and social networks
Singapore’s expat networks are highly organised by profession and interest. Many Visit Route: Expat expats gravitate towards:
- Industry meet‑ups around Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and One‑North after work.
- Sports and running groups that meet at Marina Bay (great for 5–10km loops with skyline views) and East Coast Park.
- Religious or cultural centres scattered across districts like Little India and Kampong Glam.
Homejourney encourages new arrivals to use these networks to verify information, gather unfiltered neighbourhood feedback, and report any suspicious property listings or agent behaviour—user feedback is a core part of how we maintain a safe, trusted platform.
3. Property in Singapore for Expats from Visit Route: Expat
3.1 What foreigners can buy – and ABSD
Singapore tightly regulates foreign property ownership. As a non‑resident foreigner, you can generally buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments – anywhere in Singapore.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) – only resale ECs that are at least 10 years old, when they become fully privatised.
Foreigners need special approval from the Singapore Land Authority to buy landed houses such as bungalows or terrace houses, and approvals are not guaranteed. Public housing (HDB flats) is heavily restricted for non‑citizens and non‑PRs.
On top of Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) at higher rates than Singapore Citizens and PRs. These rates change periodically, so check IRAS directly or use Homejourney’s calculators to model your total acquisition costs before committing. If you are considering Permanent Residence to reduce ABSD exposure, refer to ICA’s guidance on PR schemes and criteria.[5][8]
3.2 Popular neighbourhoods for Visit Route: Expat expats
Based on expats we have worked with, common first‑year choices include:
- Tanjong Pagar & Raffles Place – Ideal if you work in the CBD. High‑rise condos like those along Anson Road or Shenton Way give you 5–10 minutes’ walk to major office towers and direct access to the Downtown and East‑West MRT lines.
- River Valley & Robertson Quay – Quieter residential feel with riverside dining, popular among couples and small families who still want quick access to Orchard, Great World, and the CBD.
- East Coast / Katong – Favoured by those who value seafront living, cycling, and casual food culture. Commute to the CBD is about 20–35 minutes depending on proximity to the Thomson‑East Coast Line.
Use Homejourney’s Property Search to filter by MRT line, school proximity, and budget, and cross‑reference with Projects for deeper project‑level analysis such as past transactions, facilities, and maintenance track record.
