Singapore: all programs

Singapore at a glance

Singapore is a city-state on an island at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, with about 6 million residents on less than 750 square kilometres. The official languages are English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil, and English is used in business and documents. The currency is the Singapore dollar, about 1.28 per US dollar on 18 October 2026.

It is one of the world's main financial and trading centres: banking and wealth management, the port, oil refining, regional headquarters of technology companies and biomedicine. The country is known for safety, order and strict laws.

Who the move suits

• professionals earning from 5,600 Singapore dollars a month with a contract from a local company;
• founders of innovative start-ups with venture funding, patents or strong experience;
• owners of large businesses and family offices, who have permanent residence by investment;
• families who value safety, strong schools and English.

It is harder for those who want to live on passive income: Singapore has no visa for rentiers or remote workers.

Entry rules and visas

According to the Singapore embassy in Moscow, Russian citizens need a visa for a visit, obtained before travel. Visa-free stays of up to 96 hours are possible when transiting to a third country. Working and living require a Ministry of Manpower pass or permanent residence.

Residence options

• Employment Pass - for professionals earning from 5,600 Singapore dollars a month, about $4,380, more in financial services, plus a points-based assessment.
• Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass - for salaries from 30,000 Singapore dollars a month.
• EntrePass - for a founder with at least 30% of a Singapore company and one innovation criterion, government fees of about $259, processing in about 8 weeks.
• The Global Investor Programme - permanent residence for investing 10 million Singapore dollars, about $7.8 million, in a business, 25 million in an approved fund, or through a family office, in 9-12 months.

Most foreigners obtain permanent residence after several years of work. Singapore grants citizenship only on renouncing the previous one, as dual citizenship is not allowed. We choose the basis and prepare the file for the authorities.

Taxes

The first 20,000 Singapore dollars of income a year are untaxed, and the resident rate then rises to 24%. Non-residents are taxed at higher rates, so resident status after 183 days a year cuts tax noticeably. Dividends, capital gains, inheritance and individuals' foreign income are not taxed. Corporate tax is 17% with a partial exemption on the first 200,000 Singapore dollars, and goods and services tax is 9%. More in taxes in Singapore.

Cost of living

Food in hawker centres is cheap, while alcohol, cars and imported groceries are very expensive: the right to own a car is bought at auction and costs more than the car itself. International schools are strong but expensive and have waiting lists.

Where to live

• Orchard and River Valley - shopping streets and condominiums with pools, close to the centre and schools, the highest rent.
• Tanjong Pagar and the business district - convenient for those working in the financial district.
• Holland Village and Bukit Timah - green areas with landed houses and strong schools, popular with families.
• East Coast - a seaside park, cafés and a calm life closer to the airport.
• Sentosa Cove - the only area where foreigners can buy landed houses.

Family, schools, healthcare

The spouse and children of an Employment Pass holder earning from 6,000 Singapore dollars a month receive a Dependant's Pass. Public schools give priority to children of citizens and permanent residents, so foreigners usually choose international schools, which are strong but expensive, with places booked a year ahead. Public hospitals are good, but foreigners pay full price, so private insurance is needed.

Property for foreigners

A foreigner can buy a flat in a private condominium, but not a landed house or a public housing flat, with Sentosa Cove the main exception. Since 27 April 2023 foreigners pay an additional 60% stamp duty on top of the usual 1-6%, so most rent. Citizens of the US, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland get citizen treatment under trade agreements. Buying property does not grant residence. We help you choose and calculate all the duties.

Companies and banks

A private company is registered online in one or two days and needs a local director and address. Banks check real activity and the source of funds, especially strictly for Russian citizens. We register the company and support opening a business account and a personal account.

Climate and rules

The climate is equatorial: 25-32°C all year, high humidity and short downpours almost every day. The metro and buses cover the whole island, and Changi is one of the world's best airports. Fines for litter, smoking in the wrong place and chewing gum are real, and drug laws are among the harshest in the world. Sons of permanent residents must do military service.