Ways to live in Singapore
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)
Personalised 5-year pass for top talent: no employer sponsor needed, can work for and run several companies at once.
- What you need
- A fixed salary of at least S$30,000 (about $23,000) a month for the last 12 months from one large employer, a Singapore job at that salary, or outstanding achievements in arts, sports, culture or research. A new AI and tech track opens on 28 January 2027.
- Income
- from about $23,000 a month
- How long
- 5 years, renewable for 5 years at a time
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- S$105 application + S$225 issuance
- Processing time
- Usually within 4 weeks
- How to apply
- Online with the Ministry of Manpower; you can apply yourself
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- You can apply for permanent residence through the general process; not guaranteed.
Tech.Pass (closing)
2-year pass for experienced tech leaders and founders, no employer needed. New and renewal applications close on 28 January 2027; the ONE Pass AI and tech track replaces it.
- What you need
- A fixed salary of at least S$22,500 (about $17,300) a month in the last year, plus 5+ years in a leading role at a tech company worth $500M+ (or that raised $30M+) or at a tech investment fund managing $500M+.
- Income
- from about $17,300 a month
- How long
- 2 years, renewable once for 2 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- S$105 application + S$225 issuance
- Processing time
- About 8 weeks
- How to apply
- Online with the Economic Development Board (EDB) before 27 January 2027
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- No direct route; general PR application possible.
Student visa Student visas →
Student's Pass
Long-term pass for full-time students accepted by a Singapore school or university.
- What you need
- An acceptance from the school, which registers you in ICA's online system; then you submit passport details, education history and how your studies will be funded.
- How long
- For the length of the course
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- S$45 processing fee, S$60 issuance fee (plus S$30 for a visa if needed)
- Processing time
- About 1–2 weeks for universities; apply 2–3 months before the course starts
- How to apply
- Online via ICA's Student's Pass system (SOLAR+)
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Global Investor Programme (GIP)
Permanent residence for established business owners and family offices who invest heavily in Singapore.
- What you need
- A business track record plus one option: invest at least S$10 million (about $7.7M) in a Singapore business, S$25 million in an approved fund, or set up a family office with S$200 million in assets (S$50 million invested locally).
- Savings
- about $7,700,000
- How long
- Permanent residence (re-entry permit renewed subject to conditions)
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through Singapore's Economic Development Board
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Grants permanent residence directly.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $1,300 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $2,000 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $3,700 |
| Bills | $120 |
| Typical local salary | $4,850 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Hawker centres serve Chinese, Malay and Indian dishes side by side, and gardens and park connectors weave through the city. Everything is close and safe, and Southeast Asia's beaches are a short flight away.
Day to day
The MRT and buses are clean, fast and cover the whole island. Healthcare is world-class, with public and private hospitals. Cards and QR payments work everywhere, internet is excellent. English is the common language of work and daily life.
Trade-offs
Housing and cars are very expensive. It is hot and humid all year, rules are strict and fines are real, and the island can feel small after a while.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada30 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Japan30 days
South Korea90 days
Israel30 days
United Arab Emirates30 days
Hong Kong30 days
South Africa30 days
Mexico30 days
Brazil30 days
Questions
Does Singapore have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Singapore?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Singapore were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Singapore were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- MOM — ONE Pass eligibility
- MOM — ONE Pass key facts
- MOM — ONE Pass apply / fees
- EDB — Tech.Pass
- ICA — Visa requirements / e-Pass
- ICA — Extend short-term visit pass
- EDB — Global Investor Programme
- EDB — GIP factsheet (updated 5 May 2025)
- https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
