Living in Singapore
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-22)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Singapore – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in Singapore

Help from the Singapore government

For any questions about moving to or living in Singapore, you may be able to get help from the:

High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in London (https://www.mfa.gov.sg/london)

Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (https://www.ica.gov.sg/)

The UK government and the British High Commission in Singapore cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Singapore.

Professional help in Singapore

You can also get help from professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in Singapore, including:

lawyers

notaries

funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Singapore. This includes the latest information on:

visas and entry requirements

laws and cultural differences

safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit (https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside) you need to live in Singapore. Visas are called ‘passes’ in Singapore.

You can get a pass or permit to:

work

study

start a company

live with family in Singapore

If you want to extend or renew your pass or permit, visit the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (https://www.ica.gov.sg/) website.

Permanent residency

You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Singapore (https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR/apply).

Citizenship

Singapore generally does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship (https://www.gov.uk/renounce-british-nationality) to become a citizen of Singapore.

To find out if you’re eligible for citizenship of Singapore:

read guidance on becoming a Singapore citizen (https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship/apply)

contact the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (https://www.ica.gov.sg/)

National Service

If you’re a male citizen, dual national or permanent resident of Singapore, you may be liable for Singapore National Service.

For more information, read:

information on National Service liability for British dual nationals and permanent residents, in safety and security in the travel advice for Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/safety-and-security)

the Singapore government’s guidance on preparing for National Service (https://www.life.gov.sg/guides/pe/preparing-for-ns)

Help with visa and residency applications

The British High Commission in Singapore cannot help with Singapore visa and residency applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (https://www.ica.gov.sg/)

the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in London (https://www.mfa.gov.sg/london)

find a lawyer in Singapore (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=singapore)

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

apply for a British passport from abroad

travel urgently without your British passport

Healthcare in Singapore

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

plan your healthcare

take medicine abroad

Singapore does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Singaporean or international providers.

If you work in Singapore, your employer may include health insurance as part of your employment package. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your coverage and buy top-up insurance if needed.

If you’re a permanent resident or citizen of Singapore, you will also be enrolled in Singapore’s basic public health insurance scheme, MediShield (https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medishield-life/medishield-life).

To find out how to get medical treatment:

contact your insurance provider

read guidance on getting medical help (https://www.moh.gov.sg/seeking-healthcare/getting-medical-help/) and health in Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/health)

find medical facilities in Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/singapore-list-of-medical-facilities-and-practitioners)

Working in Singapore

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Singapore, you need a work pass.

The Singapore Ministry of Manpower explains the different work passes (https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits) available to you.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Singapore, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Contact your employer for information on how to do this.

Driving in Singapore

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

drive abroad legally

take your UK vehicle abroad

get driving licence letters

For information on driving in Singapore, including driving licence rules, read about road travel in Singapore in safety and security in the travel advice for Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/safety-and-security).

The Singapore police provide information on:

Singapore driving licences (https://www.police.gov.sg/Knowledge-Hub/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Singapore-Driving-Licence)

road safety (https://www.police.gov.sg/Knowledge-Hub/Traffic/Road-Safety-Tips)

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a Singaporean accessible car park label (https://www.enablingguide.sg/im-looking-for-disability-support/transport/car-park-label-scheme).

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Singapore, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/singapore-tax-treaties) so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (https://www.iras.gov.sg/) for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Singapore (https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax). To do this, find a lawyer in Singapore (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=singapore).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

how to claim your UK State Pension

where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a Singapore pension

Contact the Central Provident Fund (CPF) (https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/cpf-overview) to find out whether you can claim a retirement income in Singapore (https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/retirement-income).

Permanent residents and citizens can contribute to and claim from the CPF. For more information, read:

FAQs from the CPF (https://www.cpf.gov.sg/service/article/if-my-foreign-employees-request-to-contribute-to-cpf-can-i-make-cpf-contributions-for-them)

guidance on the CPF (https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/central-provident-fund/what-is-cpf)

If you are not a permanent resident, you may be able to contribute to the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/special-tax-schemes/srs-contributions) in Singapore.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Singapore benefits

You may be entitled to some benefits in Singapore.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim, read the Singapore government’s guide on how to get government benefits (https://services.life.gov.sg/government-services/finances/govt-benefits/).

Buying and renting property in Singapore

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

There are restrictions on what residential property foreign nationals can own. Visit the Singapore Land Authority (https://www.sla.gov.sg/regulatory/property-ownership) website for more information.

Contact a lawyer in Singapore (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=singapore) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Singapore

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

vote in UK elections from abroad

register as an overseas voter

Singaporean elections

You cannot vote in Singaporean elections unless you hold Singaporean citizenship.

Studying in Singapore

If you plan to study in Singapore, you must meet all visa requirements (https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/apply) before you travel.

For more information:

contact your higher education provider in the UK or Singapore

read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)

visit the Singapore Ministry of Education (https://www.moe.gov.sg/) website

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:

getting permission to take your child abroad

claiming UK Child Benefit abroad

child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The Singapore Ministry of Education (https://www.moe.gov.sg/) provides information about the schooling system in Singapore.

All children between 6 and 15 years old must attend school or home school in Singapore.

For more information, read the Singapore government’s guidance on:

primary school in Singapore (https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary)

secondary school in Singapore (https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary)

school fees in Singapore (https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees)

Childcare

The Early Childhood Development Agency (https://www.ecda.gov.sg/who-we-are) is responsible for childcare services in Singapore.

If your child is a Singaporean citizen, you may be eligible to claim preschool subsidies (https://www.ecda.gov.sg/parents/preschool-subsidies).

For more information, read the Singapore government’s guidance on:

preschool in Singapore (https://www.moe.gov.sg/preschool/overview)

choosing a preschool for your child (https://www.ecda.gov.sg/parents/choosing-a-preschool/choosing-a-preschool-for-your-child)

employing a live-in domestic worker (https://www.life.gov.sg/guides/domestic-helper)

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Singapore, register the birth with the Singapore authorities (https://www.life.gov.sg/services/birth-registration).

Your employer can submit an application for a dependant’s pass (https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/getting-a-pass-for-a-newborn) for your child within a timeframe set by the Ministry of Manpower (https://www.mom.gov.sg/). As part of this application, you’ll need a passport for your baby.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate

apply for your child’s first British passport

The British High Commission in Singapore cannot provide any letters regarding your child’s nationality or passport status. Contact:

UK Visas and Immigration (https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk), for nationality

His Majesty’s Passport Office (https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line), for passports

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

what to do after someone dies abroad

how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Singapore, read guidance on:

what to do when someone dies in Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/singapore-bereavement-information)

death in Singapore (https://mylegacy.life.gov.sg/when-death-happens/)

funeral directors in Singapore (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=singapore)

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You can also read the Singapore government’s guidance on marriage in Singapore (https://www.marriage.gov.sg/).

Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Singapore. For information about LGBT+ rights in Singapore, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Singapore (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/safety-and-security).

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The Singapore government offers guidance on filing for divorce in Singpore (https://familyassist.msf.gov.sg/content/proceeding-with-divorce/divorce-proceedings/for-person-planning-to-file-for-divorce-applicant/).

Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in Singapore (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=singapore).

Documents for British people in Singapore

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad) This covers:

legalising and certifying UK documents

marriage and civil partnership documents

affirmations and affidavits

witnessing signatures

Lawyers and notaries

To find a lawyer or notary in Singapore, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Singapore, read guidance on:

bringing dogs and cats into Singapore (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/bringing-animals-into-singapore-and-exporting/bringing-in-and-transshipping-dogs-and-cats/general-information)

importing other animals to Singapore (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/bringing-animals-into-singapore-and-exporting/import-export-and-transhipment-of-other-animals/assistance-dogs)

taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country)

If you have a pet dog or cat, read:

the cat management framework in Singapore (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/cat-management-framework/cat-management-framework/cat-management-framework)

the legal and communal guidelines for owning a dog in Singapore (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/owning-a-pet/caring-for-your-pet/legal-and-communal-guidelines-for-owning-a-dog)

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Singaporean authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).