v256.0 · relocation checklist · CN → SG · verified 2026-04
China to Singapore — relocation checklist
18-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Chinese professional / founder / HNW seeking Singapore tax/legal/family-office gateway.
From
Total cost
SGD 10,000-50,000 — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
8-20 weeks pre-arrival, 4-8 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Chinese professional / founder / HNW seeking Singapore tax/legal/family-office gateway
Step-by-step checklist (18 steps)
Pre-departure (16-20 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Employment Pass (SGD 5,000+/mo + COMPASS), ONE Pass (overseas talent SGD 30K+/mo), EntrePass (founder), Global Investor Programme (SGD 10M+ business investment), Family Office (13O/13U)
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- Employer files EP via MyMOM; ONE Pass independent application; GIP via EDB processing
Pre-departure (10-12 weeks out)
- COMPASS 40/50 points check; ONE Pass diversity-of-experience preference
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- PSB (Public Security Bureau) clearance + notarization; attested educational certificates
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — China worldwide income taxation for residents; coordinate exit; check China-Singapore DTAA
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Family office structuring if applicable (13O/13U: minimum SGD 20M AUM + local hires)
- Housing — Singapore tight market; ABSD 60% for foreign property buyers since April 2023 (rent first)
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship sea freight Shanghai/Shenzhen to Singapore 7-14 days, USD 2,500-5,500 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — AVA microchip + ISO + rabies + import permit; quarantine waived for category-A countries
Arrival (Week 1)
- Activate EP/ONE Pass at ICA Tampines or MOM — biometrics + card collection 2-3 working days
- Open Singapore bank — DBS, OCBC, UOB; HNW: Standard Chartered Premier, Citi Gold, DBS Treasures
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Set up SIM card (Singtel, StarHub, M1, Circles.Life)
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Long-term housing — HDB (SGD 2,000-4,000) or condo (SGD 4,000-15,000) typical
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Utilities + internet (Singtel, StarHub fiber 1-10 Gbps)
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Schools — SAS, UWCSEA, Tanglin, Stamford American, ISS, NPS International (Indian curriculum), Hwa Chong/RI for Chinese-language continuation
Arrival (Month 2)
- Dependant Pass for spouse/children
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- China IIT partial year filing; Singapore IRAS Tax Residency Certificate; China-Singapore DTAA
Ongoing
- Singapore PR eligible after 6 months as EP holder; family office track gives faster PR consideration
Cost breakdown
| EP application + issuance | SGD 330 |
| ONE Pass | SGD 525 |
| GIP minimum investment | SGD 10,000,000 |
| Family Office 13O/13U setup | SGD 50,000-200,000 (legal + admin) |
| First month rent + 2-month deposit (condo) | SGD 12,000-45,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 2,500-5,500 |
| School fees (per child, K-12 international) | SGD 30,000-50,000/year |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- COMPASS 40/50 points for new EP since Sept 2023
- EP salary >SGD 5,000/mo (further raise to SGD 5,600 from Jan 2025)
- Property ABSD 60% for foreign buyers since April 2023 — rent rather than buy
- Family Office 13O minimum SGD 20M AUM + 2 local hires (raised 2023)
- China worldwide income taxation continues for Chinese tax residents 180+ days
- China-Singapore DTAA (1986, revised 2007) prevents double taxation
- Some Chinese-source dividends/capital gains may still trigger Chinese withholding
Official sources
- Singapore MOM EP — https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass
- Singapore EDB GIP — https://www.contactsingapore.sg/
- Singapore IRAS Family Office — https://www.iras.gov.sg/
See also: China profile · Singapore profile · all relocation checklists · Singapore tax residency · Singapore banking · Singapore healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.