Moving from India to Singapore

If you are looking for an abundance of career opportunities and an incredibly high quality of living, look no further than Singapore! A bustling metropolis with a thriving economy, it’s not surprising that many Indian locals are looking to relocate to this city-state and call Singapore home. But with any international move, relocating to Singapore can feel overwhelming at first. 

At Allied, we’re highly experienced at helping individuals, families and businesses make the move from India and relocate to Singapore. We’ve created this ultimate guide to include everything you need to know about the culture, cost of living and climate, not to mention breaking down what life will be like after you move. Read on to discover how to make moving to Singapore a breeze!

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO SINGAPORE

ORGANISING A VISA 

You will need to apply for a visa within 30 days prior to arriving in Singapore. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has special visa requirements for those entering Singapore from India, these include a completed Form 14A and a full-colour photo. To work in Singapore, you need what is called a ‘work pass’ from the Ministry of Manpower, which is equivalent to a work visa. There are multiple types of work passes for Professionals, Skilled and Semi-Skilled workers, and those wanting to start their own business in Singapore. If you are a student wanting to study, you will need to apply for a Student's Pass Holder after being accepted into a Singaporean educational institution. 

FINDING WORK

We recommend securing a job in Singapore before you decide to relocate. This is due to how the work permits operate (see above for information on visa requirements), and you can also use the Ministry of Manpower’s Employment Assessment Tool which can help you elevate how likely you will be to receive an Employment Pass. Some of Singapore’s most thriving industries include financial services, IT, digital marketing and healthcare, all industries will regularly hire foreigners. FoundIt (formally Monster), MyCareersFuture, and JobsDB are all popular employment sites in Singapore. 

HOUSING

The housing market in Singapore is divided into two major categories; public and private. Public housing, known as Housing Development Board (HDB), is not only for lower income earners but is popular among most Singaporeans with even luxury options offered. As space is at a premium, apartments are the most common and affordable housing options. According to Numbeo, you should expect to pay at least INR$280,560 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Singapore. 

RELOCATING WITH PETS

If you are wanting to relocate from India to Singapore with your pet, it’s best to use a pet relocation service. As India falls under ‘Category D’ for Singapore’s pet import regulations, there are some specific rules you will need to follow in order to relocate with your pet. Before you leave India, ensure that your pet has been screened for rabies, had all general vaccinations, and reserve a quarantine space in Singapore. It’s also important to keep in mind that HDB properties are strict with what types of pets are allowed so double check with your real estate agent or landlord before deciding to transport your pet. 

HEALTHCARE

When it comes to the standard of healthcare, Singapore is considered world class. With both public and private healthcare systems highly respected, Singapore offers comprehensive universal healthcare for its citizens and permanent residents. However, if you are not a citizen or permanent resident, your employee will need to ensure that you have adequate healthcare coverage by paying for insurance of at least SGD$15,000. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LIVING IN SINGAPORE

So, you’ve decided that Singapore is the perfect place for you. But, what will everyday life be like once you arrive? 

SINGAPOREAN CULTURE

Known as the country where ‘East meets West’, Singapore is an economic hub which thrives on efficiency! Singapore lives by a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality which can be intense to adapt to at first as an expat. Indians relocating should be aware that the hierarchy in Singaporean workplaces can be rather strict and a high pressure work environment is considered standard in the majority of industries. 

Singapore is a conservative country with many strict rules and regulations which must be adhered to. One of the most famous examples of this is the ban on chewing gum. Littering, vandalism, spitting, and smoking in some public places is strictly forbidden and can carry heavy sentences. The benefit of these harsher rules is that the public areas of Singapore are incredibly clean and the whole country is considered to be highly safe. 

If you are a keen foodie, then you will love living in Singapore! Culture and food go hand in hand here. As Singapore is a combination of different cultures and traditions, you’ll find a wide variety of food available. Chilli crab and fish-head curry are staple Singaporean dishes worth trying, and the Hawker Centres are great for those wanting a delicious and affordable meal.   

LANGUAGES

There are four main languages of Singapore. These are English, Singaporean Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. After living in Singapore for a while, you’ll likely come across ‘Singlish’ which is a type of English spoken with elements of Chinese and Malay. 

CLIMATE

Singapore has a tropical climate and due to its close proximity to the equator, enjoys warm temperatures year round. Similar to India, Singapore experiences hot and humid weather, with thunderstorms occurring 40% of all days. 

TRANSPORTATION

As mentioned earlier in the article, Singapore is renowned for its public transport system. Singapore is considered pedestrian-friendly, but unlike in India, you must use designated crossings. Because of the intensive heat, many expats enjoy using the efficient, clean and air-conditioned Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains and light rail. Taxis and Ride-sharing services are also available and considered rather affordable, but are more expensive when compared to India. Owning a car is not super common in Singapore due to the high functioning transport system, and parking, registration and tolls can make it an expensive option. If you’d like to relocate your car from India to Singapore, you will be required to pay the import tax and be subjected to the custom laws.  

THE COST OF LIVING 

Moving to Singapore from India means you’ll need to get used to paying a lot more for your essentials, housing and entertainment. On average, Singapore is 6.5 times more expensive than India. Whilst this may be hard to stomach at first, the pay off can be worth it. You will need to pay INR$115 for a one-way ticket on the public transport system in Singapore (compared to INR$25), but the impressive transportation system will be a lot more efficient and higher quality than in India. 

LOOKING TO MOVE FROM INDIA TO SINGAPORE? TALK TO THE ALLIED INDIA TEAM TODAY 

Are you ready to make the move from India to Singapore? Allied is here to make your international relocation as smooth and hassle-free as possible! Our wide range of moving services and impressive track record means we are the right moving company for your relocation. 

We are able to help you every single step of the way throughout your move thanks to our global network of movers! You don’t need to use another moving company once you arrive as our Allied Singapore team will be ready to handle your move as soon as you touch down in Singapore.You can learn more about our moving from India services and how we can best cater for your move by visiting our international moving page.