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:
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lawyers
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notaries
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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:
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:
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:
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Singapore
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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plan your healthcare
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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:
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:
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:
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:
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getting permission to take your child abroad
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claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
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child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
If you have children and you divorce or separate in Singapore, you may be unable to leave the country with your children unless your spouse or ex-spouse agrees. If you try to, the authorities will treat it as parental child abduction. Singapore and the UK have both signed the Hague Convention on Child Abduction, protecting children from being removed from the country they usually live in.
Before moving to Singapore, discuss your options with a legal adviser or solicitor.
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:
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:
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:
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legalising and certifying UK documents
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marriage and civil partnership documents
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affirmations and affidavits
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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 dog or cat, read information on licensing requirements for your pet.
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.
