Singapore
Living, work, immigration, education & business — official links and practical guides
Key Facts
Basics
Currency
SGD
Region
Southeast Asia
Local time
UTC+8
Asia/Singapore
Economy
Population
6.04M
GDP (current US$)
$547.39B
GDP per capita
$90,674
Source: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0) · 2024 · Last checked: 2026-07-06
Tax snapshot
Corporate tax
17%
GST
9%
Top individual income tax
24%
Capital-gains tax
No general CGT
- No general capital-gains tax, but gains that are trading in nature can still be taxable. Dividends exempt (single-tier); foreign-source income exempt under conditions.
- Raised from 8% to 9% on 2024-01; tourist refund threshold S$100.
Source: National tax authority · Cross-check: OECD · PwC · KPMG · Last checked: 2026-07-16
Headline statutory rates. The income-tax figure includes national surtaxes; any regional or municipal layer is shown beside it. Social contributions and reliefs are excluded. Verify the current rate with the authority before relying on it.
At a glance
A business hub with a salary-based, employer-led work-pass system — efficient and English-speaking, but passes are competitive and quota-managed.
Best for
Higher-earning professionals (Employment Pass), startup founders (EntrePass), and international students.
Who this may not suit
People on modest salaries or seeking a straightforward path to permanent residence — housing costs are high and long-term status is granted selectively.
Main routes in
Employment Pass (EP) For professionals meeting the salary threshold and COMPASS points. EntrePass For founders of eligible venture-backed or innovative startups. Student's Pass Study at an approved institution, applied via SOLAR.
Key trade-offs
- EP salary floors and COMPASS criteria rise over time and by sector.
- Permanent residence is selective and not guaranteed by years worked.
- Rental housing costs are high.
First steps
- 1 Secure a job offer; the employer applies for the EP via EP Online.
- 2 Check you meet the current qualifying salary and COMPASS points.
- 3 For study, have the institution issue the Student’s Pass via SOLAR.
- 4 Complete medical and biometrics on arrival as required.
What changes often
- · Employment Pass qualifying salary and COMPASS criteria
- · Dependant-pass eligibility tied to pass type and salary
- · Property cooling measures and stamp duties for foreigners
Salary floors and COMPASS rules change — confirm on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
Major cities
All cities (5) →Living
Housing
Renting and buying property in Singapore — typical rents, deposits, contracts, and official tenancy rules.
Healthcare
How the Singapore healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
Insurance
Insurance in Singapore — health, travel, and digital-nomad cover, what is mandatory, and how to choose a plan.
Work
Jobs
Where to find jobs in Singapore — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
Employers
Major employers hiring in Singapore, with links to their official careers pages.
Government Jobs
Public-sector and civil-service hiring in Singapore — the official government job portal.
Salaries
Typical salaries by role in Singapore — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
Immigration & Mobility
Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Startup Visa
Entrepreneur and startup visa programs, investment thresholds, and application criteria.
Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Citizenship
Naturalization rules: required residence years, language and civics requirements, and each country's dual-citizenship policy.
Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote-work visa programs, income requirements, duration, taxes, and application steps.
Education
Universities
Top universities in Singapore, admissions, tuition, and international-student support.
Online Courses
Online learning relevant to Singapore — accredited platforms, local MOOCs, and language courses.
Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Singapore — government, university, and international programs.
Study Abroad
How to study in Singapore as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Business
Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
Tax System
Corporate tax, VAT/GST, personal income tax, capital gains, and filing obligations.
Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
Trademark & IP
Trademark registration, patents, copyright, official IP offices, and filing costs.
Compliance
Corporate, tax, employment, data-protection, AML/KYC, trade and AI compliance — official regulators and registries.
Corporate Compliance
Annual filings, registered-agent and beneficial-ownership obligations, and the official company registry.
Tax Compliance
Filing calendars, registration thresholds and the official tax authority.
Employment Compliance
Mandatory contracts, payroll and social-insurance registration, and the official labor authority.
Privacy & Data Protection
The country's own data-protection regime, registration duties, and its official supervisory authority.
AML & KYC
Anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence obligations, regulated activities, and the official financial regulator.
Import & Export Compliance
Customs registration, controlled/restricted goods, sanctions screening, and the official customs authority.
AI Regulations
The country's own AI governance approach, risk tiers, transparency duties, and its official authority.