v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → SG · verified 2026-04
India to Singapore — relocation checklist
17-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian tech professional / founder seeking Employment Pass + PR pathway + ASEAN gateway.
From
Total cost
SGD 8,000-30,000 (₹5-18 lakh) — visa, deposit, shipping, setup
Timeline
6-16 weeks pre-arrival, 6 weeks post-arrival to full setup
Typical profile for this pair
Indian tech professional / founder seeking Employment Pass + PR pathway + ASEAN gateway
Step-by-step checklist (17 steps)
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Employment Pass (salary >SGD 5,000/mo + degree, COMPASS 40/50 points), EntrePass (founder), S Pass (mid-skill), PEP (high earners)
Pre-departure (10-12 weeks out)
- Employer files EP via MyMOM portal — In-Principle Approval (IPA) valid 6 months
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- COMPASS framework points check (since Sept 2023) — must score 40/50 across salary, qualifications, diversity, skills shortage
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- PCC from local Indian police; attested educational certificates via MEA
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Tax planning — file IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year cap strategy; open Wise SGD account
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Arrange first 4 weeks accommodation (serviced apartment, hotel) — SGD 200-500/night
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Ship household goods — sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Singapore 14-21 days, USD 2,000-5,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1 week out)
- Pet relocation — AVA requires microchip + ISO 11784/11785 + rabies + import permit; quarantine waived if from category-A
Arrival (Week 1)
- Activate EP at ICA Tampines or MOM — biometrics, card collection 2-3 working days
- Open Singapore bank account (DBS, OCBC, UOB) — passport + EP/IPA + employer letter + address proof
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- SIM card (Singtel, StarHub, M1, Circles.Life) — SGD 30-80/month unlimited 5G
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Long-term housing — HDB rental (SGD 2,000-4,000/mo) or condo (SGD 4,000-12,000/mo)
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Utilities (SP Group) + internet (Singtel, StarHub, MyRepublic 1-10 Gbps fiber)
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Schools — SAS, UWCSEA, Tanglin, GIIS (Indian curriculum)
Arrival (Month 2)
- Dependant Pass for spouse/children via employer sponsorship
Arrival (Month 2-3)
- File Indian ITR partial year; IRAS Tax Residency Certificate for India-Singapore DTAA
Ongoing
- Singapore PR eligible after 6 months as EP holder; competitive, 6-12 month processing
Cost breakdown
| EP application + issuance | SGD 330 total |
| First month rent + 2-month deposit (condo) | SGD 12,000-36,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 2,000-5,000 |
| School fees (per child, K-12 international) | SGD 30,000-50,000/year |
| Initial bank deposit | SGD 500-3,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 800-2,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- COMPASS framework since Sept 2023 — must score 40/50 points
- EP salary threshold raised to SGD 5,000/mo (further raise to SGD 5,600 from Jan 2025)
- EP holders cannot freelance — only work for sponsoring employer
- PR pathway competitive — many EP holders wait 4-7 years
- Property ABSD 60% for foreign buyers since April 2023 — rent rather than buy initially
- India-Singapore DTAA (1994) — file TRC promptly
Official sources
- Singapore MOM EP — https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass
- Singapore ICA — https://www.ica.gov.sg/
See also: India 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.