v256.0 · relocation checklist · SG → US · verified 2026-04
Singapore to United States — relocation checklist
17-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Singaporean tech professional on E-2 Treaty Investor, H-1B, L-1, or O-1 visa.
From
Total cost
USD 8,000-25,000 — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
Variable — H-1B lottery 6-18 months; E-2 1-3 months
Typical profile for this pair
Singaporean tech professional on E-2 Treaty Investor, H-1B, L-1, or O-1 visa
Step-by-step checklist (17 steps)
Pre-departure (variable)
- Choose visa — H-1B (lottery March), L-1A/B (intra-company), E-2 Treaty Investor (Singapore eligible since 2003 US-SG FTA), O-1 (extraordinary ability), F-1 (student), EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver)
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- E-2: substantial investment USD 100K+ in US business; H-1B: employer sponsorship + lottery
Pre-departure (10-12 weeks out)
- DS-160 online + visa appointment at US Embassy Singapore — typical 2-4 week wait
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- Singapore Police Force certificate; medical exam (for green-card cases only)
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — coordinate CPF withdrawals (subject to age/withdrawal eligibility); IRAS Tax Residency Certificate; US tax-residency implications (Substantial Presence Test)
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Housing — secure first 1-3 months accommodation; California, NY, Texas top tech destinations
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship sea freight Singapore to LA/NYC/Houston 20-30 days, USD 4,000-10,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — USDA APHIS Form 7001 + CDC import rules (rabies, microchip)
Arrival (Week 1)
- I-94 at port of entry; passport stamped with admission expiry
- Apply for SSN at Social Security Administration — 10-14 days
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open US bank — Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo, HSBC US Premier (good for Singapore-to-US continuity)
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Health insurance — employer typically provides for H-1B/L-1/E-2; ACA Marketplace for self-employed
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — credit history + first/last + security deposit; some markets allow 1-month upfront vs 3
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Driver's License — state-specific; Singapore IDP valid up to 1 year; written + road test for state license
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children school enrollment — public schools free K-12 for residents
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Singapore IRAS partial year (if departed Singapore mid-year); US 1040 (Substantial Presence Test triggers worldwide income); US-Singapore DTAA
Cost breakdown
| H-1B visa | USD 460 + USD 190 stamping |
| E-2 visa | USD 315 + investment |
| L-1 visa | USD 460-960 |
| F-1 visa | USD 535 SEVIS + USD 185 |
| First month rent + first/last + deposit (SF/NYC 2BR) | USD 6,000-15,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 4,000-10,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 1,500-4,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Singapore-born NOT subject to EB-2/EB-3 backlog (unlike India/China)
- E-2 Treaty Investor available since US-Singapore FTA 2003 — competitive alternative to H-1B
- H-1B lottery ~25-30% selection rate recent years
- CPF withdrawal taxation depends on US tax-residency status at withdrawal
- US-Singapore DTAA prevents double taxation but saving clause limits some benefits
- FBAR + Form 8938 for Singapore accounts >USD 10K aggregate once US tax-resident
- Substantial Presence Test triggers worldwide income filing
Official sources
- US USCIS — https://www.uscis.gov/
- US Embassy Singapore — https://sg.usembassy.gov/
- IRAS Singapore — https://www.iras.gov.sg/
See also: Singapore profile · United States profile · all relocation checklists · United States tax residency · United States banking
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.