Moving from India to Singapore
Moving from India to Singapore: India passport holders get e-visa for short stays and need a residence permit to settle. Singapore costs about $2,800/month for one person. Citizenship takes about 2 years of residence.
Last updated August 2026 · How we calculate this
Visa & entry
e-Visa for short visits. To settle you'll need a residence route:
- Employment Pass / ONE Pass — A skilled job above a salary floor; the ONE Pass targets top earners and talent.
- Global Investor Programme / EntrePass — Invest substantially, or start a venture-backed company, for residence.
Documents & apostille
Single apostille each end. Both countries are in the Hague Apostille Convention — one apostille from India makes your documents valid in Singapore.
Where in India: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — apostilles issued via Branch Secretariats / outsourced authorised agencies — official source
↳ Singapore: Apostilles issued by the Singapore Academy of Law, a statutory body, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; e-Apostille available (in force since 16 Sep 2021); portal at legalisation.sal.sg
Check each document →Cost, tax & salary
Cost of living in Singapore: around $2,800/mo for one person.
Citizenship & residency
PR and citizenship both discretionary (ICA); PR has no fixed residence threshold, min 2 yrs PR before citizenship; must renounce prior nationality.
Your path to a passport →Arrival checklist
- Register your address: None (residential address recorded on pass registration with ICA)
- Get a tax number: Tax Reference No. = FIN (Foreign Identification Number); auto-issued with the pass
- Residence permit: Work Pass card (e.g. Employment Pass), carrying the FIN
- Healthcare: Employer-arranged medical insurance; no national scheme/CPF Medisave for pass holders
IPA approved before entry; on arrival complete pass formalities to get the card+FIN, which then unlocks bank account and SIM. FIN needs no separate application.
Your move, step by step →Driving
No exemptions — every foreign licence holder must pass the BTT to convert; no reciprocal countries
No reciprocity: even EU/US/JP/etc must pass the BTT. Licence obtained after PR/pass status needs proof of 6-month stay in issuing country. Non-English licence needs certified translation.
Exchange your licence →Pets
- Microchip: Required; ISO 11784/11785 (Annex A). Number must appear on all vaccination/treatment records.
- Rabies: Required (except Schedule 1 rabies-free origins). Vaccinate, then titer 28+ days later.
- Quarantine: Schedule 2: min 10 days (home quarantine possible if compliant). Schedule 3: min 30 days at AQC + re-vaccination on arrival. Schedule 1: none.
Singapore — quick facts
Start your move from India to Singapore
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