Welcome To Singapore

Singapore has four official and equal languages: Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English. Malay is the common language and national language, with English being the most widely spoken. English is the medium of education in local government schools. All government signs are in English, with Mandarin and other languages included.

Singapore is home to one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Medical personnel are well-qualified at both government and private hospitals, and facilities are state-of-the-art. English is spoken in all facilities. 24-hour emergency access is available in all hospitals. Charges for foreigners apply at both government and private hospitals. It is recommended to have medical insurance, as the cost of treatment can be expensive.

Singapore has a remarkably low crime rate and is one of the safest cities in the world. Most crimes reported in Singapore are opportunistic and non-violent. It is recommended for assignees and family members to learn local laws. Singapore has some unique laws with penalties for violations that can be much more severe than in other countries. Vaping and e-cigarettes are banned in Singapore and possession carries strict penalties and fines.

Homosexuality is legal in Singapore, but same-sex marriage is not recognized.

Beyond the Visa, there are no further local registration requirements. Visa processing times for an online application average three weeks. Processing is usually efficient, but approval timelines may vary. An application can be completed either before or after arrival in Singapore.

Public transportation in Singapore is world-class, clean, fast, and efficient. The government regulates car ownership in Singapore, which remains one of the most expensive countries in the world to own a car. Car leasing is common, straightforward and a good choice for assignees. Driving can still be expensive and in a battle to address congestion, Singapore has instituted Electronic Road Pricing, which varies in price based on the time of day.

A passport, company letter and physical Employment Pass (EP) will be required to open a bank account. The EP is required in most cases apart from a limited number of banks which accept the In-Principal Approval (IPA) Letter in lieu of the physical EP card. The account opening process is usually completed online and will take approximately 5 business days, depending on whether the bank requires additional documentation.