Guidance

Living in Singapore

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

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
16 December 2013
Last updated
22 October 2025 — See all updates

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:  

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 in Singapore, including:  

  • lawyers 

  • notaries  

  • funeral directors  

Help from the UK government  

Read the travel advice for 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.  

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship 

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Singapore before you travel.  

Visas and residence permits 

Check which visa or residence permit 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 website.   

Permanent residency  

You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Singapore.   

Citizenship  

Singapore generally does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a citizen of Singapore.  

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

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:  

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:  

Passports  

Read our guidance on 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. 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. 

To find out how to get medical treatment:  

Working in Singapore 

Read our guidance on 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 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. 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. 

The Singapore police provide information on:  

Disabled drivers 

You may be able to apply for a Singaporean accessible car park label.  

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Singapore, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.   

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Singapore so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. 

Contact the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore for any questions about double taxation relief. 

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Singapore. To do this, find a lawyer in Singapore.

Pensions 

Claiming your UK pension 

Read our guidance on 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) to find out whether you can claim a retirement income in Singapore.  

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

If you are not a permanent resident, you may be able to contribute to the Supplementary Retirement Scheme in Singapore.   

Benefits  

Claiming UK benefits  

Read our guidance on 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.

Buying and renting property in Singapore 

Read our guidance on 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 website for more information. 

Contact a lawyer in Singapore if you’re considering buying property or land. 

Voting in Singapore 

UK elections 

Read our guidance on 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 before you travel. 

For more information:  

Children 

Read our guidance on 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 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:  

Childcare  

The Early Childhood Development Agency is responsible for childcare services in Singapore.  

If your child is a Singaporean citizen, you may be eligible to claim preschool subsidies.  

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

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships 

Births  

If your child is born in Singapore, register the birth with the Singapore authorities.  

Your employer can submit an application for a dependant’s pass for your child within a timeframe set by the Ministry of Manpower. As part of this application, you’ll need a passport for your baby.  

Read our guidance on 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:  

Deaths  

Read our guidance on 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:  

Marriages and civil partnerships  

Read our guidance on 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. 

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. 

Divorce and separation 

Read our guidance on 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.  

Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in Singapore.

Documents for British people in Singapore 

Read our guidance on 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.

Pets 

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

If you have a pet dog or cat, read:  

Returning to the UK  

Read returning to the UK permanently. 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.

Updates to this page

Published 16 December 2013
Last updated 22 October 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  2. Covid Health advisory removed

  3. A link to guidance on vaccines added to the Coronavirus section.

  4. Guidance updated with new categories on coronavirus (COVID-19); entry and residency requirements, language, social ethics and traditions and returning to the UK

  5. updated link for converting UK driving licence to Singapore driving licence

  6. First published.

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