Getting help with living in Singapore Introduction

Help

This fromguide thesets Singaporeout government 

Foressential anyinformation questionsfor aboutBritish nationals moving to or living in Singapore, youincluding maywhere beto ablefind toadvice geton helphealth, fromeducation, the:  benefits, residence requirements, finance and more.

• HighWe Commissionare ofunable theto Republicprovide ofany Singaporeguidance inon London 

• Singaporegeneral Immigrationlifestyle andenquiries Checkpointsapart Authority 

Thefrom UKthe governmentinformation and thelinks listed below. See Helping British Highpeople Commissionoverseas: intravelling Singaporeand cannotliving giveabroad personalisedfor advicemore ondetails movingof to,what livingour orembassies, retiringhigh incommissions Singapore. and consulates can and cannot do to help.

Professional

This helpinformation insupplements our Singapore  

Travel Advice.

YouOur canpublication alsoSupport getfor helpBritish fromNationals professionalsAbroad: A Guide insets Singapore,out including:  

• lawyers 

• notaries  

• funeralthe directors  

Helpsteps fromthat theBritish UKnationals government  

Readcan thetake travelto advicestay forsafe Singaporeabroad, toand understandgives thedetails riskson youwhat mayhelp facethe ifForeign, youCommonwealth live& inDevelopment orOffice visit(FCDO) Singapore.can Thisprovide includesif theyou latestdo informationget on:  into difficulty.

• Before you go

  visasSee andSingapore entryTravel requirements  

• Advice for up-to-date information on local laws and culturalcustoms, differences 

• safety and security emergencies.

ReadSee ourmoving guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.  .

GetSingapore helpand from the UK governmentare abroad,signatories includingto inthe anHague emergency.

Visas,Convention residencyon andChild citizenship 

MakeAbduction, surean youinternational meettreaty thethat entryprotects requirementschildren forfrom Singaporebeing beforeremoved youfrom travel.  

Visasthe andcountry residencethey permits 

Checkusually whichlive visain. orIssues residencemay permitarise youwhen needparents decide to livedivorce inafter Singapore.moving Visasto areSingapore. A called‘trailing ‘passes’spouse’ inmight Singapore.  

Yoube canunable getto areturn passto orthe permitUK to:  

• work  

• study 

• startwith athe company 

• livechildren withunless familytheir inex-spouse Singapore  

Ifconsents. youAny wantattempt to extendremove orthe renewchild yourfrom passSingapore orwithout permit,the visitother theparent’s Singaporeconsent Immigrationis andconsidered Checkpointparental Authoritychild website.   abduction.

Permanent residency  

YouThere mayhave bebeen eligiblecases towhere applytrailing forspouses permanentare residencyforced to stay in Singapore.   

Citizenship  

Singapore generallyto doesbe notwith recognisethe dualchildren. citizenship.They Thisare meansunable thatto youlegally maywork havein toSingapore giveand have ended up (renounce)being yourfinancially Britishdependent citizenshipon their ex-spouses. This can cause stress and hardship. Before relocating to becomeSingapore, adiscuss citizenyour ofoptions Singapore.  

Towith finda outlegal ifadviser you’reor eligiblesolicitor.

Stay forup citizenshipto ofdate

You Singapore:  should:

• readsign guidanceup onfor becomingemail aalerts on Singapore citizenTravel Advice  

• contactfollow the British High Commission in Singapore Immigrationon andFacebook, CheckpointsTwitter, AuthorityInstagram

  and LinkedIn

National

Entry Service  

and residency requirements

See Singapore Travel Advice for entry requirements for British passport holders.

If you’re in Singapore on a maleshort-term citizen,visit dualpass nationaland orhave permanentto residentextend ofyour Singapore,stay youdue mayto beextenuating liablecircumstances, visit the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority website to apply for Singaporea Nationalvisa Service.  extension.

For

Healthcare moreand information, read:  

medication

• informationSee onthe Nationalhealth Servicesection liabilityof forSingapore BritishTravel dualAdvice nationalsfor andinformation permanenton residents,medical inservices, safetyvaccinations and securityhealth risks in the travel advice for Singapore Singapore.

• theMedical Singaporecare government’sin guidanceSingapore onis preparingexcellent; forhowever, Nationalit Service  

Helpcan withbe visaexpensive. andThere’s residencyno applications 

Thereciprocal BritishNational HighHealth CommissionService agreement in SingaporeSingapore. cannotUnless helpyou withhave Singaporehealth visainsurance, andyou’ll residencybe applications.  

Forexpected anyto questionspay orall issues,medical contact:  bills.

• theHealth Singaporeinsurance Immigrationcan andbe Checkpointspart Authority 

• of the Highemployment Commissionpackage offor theforeigners Republicworking ofin SingaporeSingapore. inAsk London

• findyour aemployer lawyerif init’s Singapore

Passports  

Readincluded ourin guidanceyour oncontract. moving,Make livingsure orto retiringcheck abroad.the Thisdetails coversof howyour to:  

• applyinsurance forpackage a– Britishit passportmight fromsay, abroad 

• travelfor urgentlyexample, withoutthat yourexpenses Britishare passport 

Healthcarecovered inonly Singapore 

Readif ouryou guidanceseek ontreatment moving,at livinga orpublic retiringhospital.

Hotline abroad.numbers Thisfor coverslocal howambulance to:  services:

• plan995 yourfor healthcare 

  emergencies (available 24/7)

• take1777 medicinefor abroad 

  non-emergencies (fees apply)

Medicine

SingaporeSome doesprescribed notand haveover-the-counter amedicines reciprocalavailable healthin agreementthe withUK theare UK.  

Makeprohibited surein youSingapore. haveSee appropriatethe health insurancesection toof coverSingapore anyTravel healthcareAdvice costs.for Youmore caninformation.

Health get insurance from Singaporean or international providers.  

If you workare resident in Singapore, yourmake employersure maythat includeyou healthhave insurancetaken asout partan ofappropriate yourhealth employmentinsurance package. policy. MakeIf sureyou’re youhere understandon thean termsemployment andpass, conditionscheck ofwith your coverageemployer andif buyhealth top-up insurance ifis needed.  part of your employment package.

If you’re a permanentvisitor, residentarrange orcomprehensive citizentravel ofinsurance Singapore,before you willtravel. alsoMake besure enrolledyour inpolicy Singapore’scovers:

• medical basicevacuation, publicincluding healthair insuranceambulance scheme,services, MediShield. 

  Toin findcase outyou howneed to getbe medicalflown treatment:  

  • contacthome yourby insurancethese provider  

    means

  • readfull guidancemedical oncover getting(medical medicalbills helpcan andbe healthexpensive)

  • repatriation of your remains in Singapore 
    the event of death

  • findrepatriation medicalof facilitiesyour family in Singapore

    the event it is necessary for you to return home due to illness or injury

  Working in Singapore Singapore

  ReadYou ourshould guidancehave onthe moving,appropriate livingemployment orpass retiringissued abroad.by Thisthe coversMinistry workingof abroad,Manpower. includingYour documentsemployer youshould maytake needcare fromof thethis UKfor government. you.

  ToDependant’s workpasses infor Singapore,your youimmediate needfamily aare workalso pass.  

  Theissued Singaporeby the Ministry of ManpowerManpower. explainsApplications theare differentmade workby passesyour availableemployer toon you.  your behalf.

  Recognition of qualifications 

  IfFrom you1 wantMay to2021, workall independant’s Singapore,pass youholders maywho needwish to getwork yourin foreignSingapore qualificationsmust recognised.have Contactan yourappropriate employerwork forpass information(e.g. onan howemployment topass, doS this.

  Drivingpass, inor Singapore 

  Readwork ourpermit). guidanceLetters onof moving,Consent living(LOCs) orwill retiringbe abroad.discontinued Thisafter coversexisting howLOCs to:  

  • drivehave abroadexpired. legally 

  • takeSee yourthe UKMinistry vehicleof abroad  

  • getManpower drivingwebsite) licencefor letters complete information.

  ForThe informationlocal onauthorities drivingmay inask Singapore,for includingproof drivingof licencerelationship rules,(such readas abouta roadletter) travelissued inby Singaporeyour inembassy. safetyFor andlegal securityreasons, inwe’re theunable travelto advicecarry forout Singapore. 

  Thenotarial Singaporeservices police– providethis informationincludes on:  

  • Singaporeissuing drivingletters licences  

  • roadand safety  

  Disabledcertificates drivers 

  You– mayin beCommonwealth ablecountries tolike applySingapore. forSee aour Singaporeannotarial accessibleand cardocumentary parkservices labelguide.  .

  If youthe haveMinistry aof UKManpower Bluerequires Badgea andletter livefrom inyour Singapore,embassy youstating mustwhether returncommon-law itrelationships toare recognised in the originalUK, UKsee issuingnotarial authority.and documentary services guide for Singapore

  Tax  Money and banking

  ReadIf ouryou’re guidancein Singapore on moving,any livingtype orof retiringwork abroad.pass, Thisyou coverscan tax,open includinga payinglocal UKbank tax and National Insurance.   account.

  TheSingapore UK has alocal doubleand taxationinternational agreementbanks withthat Singaporeoffer socommercial thatbanking youservices. doWhile notATMs paycan taxbe onfound thealmost sameeverywhere, incomelocal inbank bothcards countries. 

  Contactmight theonly Inlandwork Revenueat AuthorityATMs ofunder Singaporethe forsame anynetwork. questionsFind aboutout doublewhich taxationATM relief. 

  Considernetwork gettingyour professionalbank advicebelongs onto payingbefore taxmaking inany Singapore.cash Towithdrawals.

  Credit docards this,and finddebit acards lawyerare inwidely Singapore.accepted.

  Pensions Tax

  Claiming

  See yourtax if you leave the UK pension 

  Readto ourlive guidanceabroad and tax on moving,your livingUK orincome retiringif you live abroad. This covers:  

  • howThere tois claima yourdouble UKtaxation Stateagreement Pension 

  • wherebetween the UK governmentand paysSingapore. anOnce annualyou’ve increasepaid taxes in theSingapore, Stateyou Pension 

  Claimingwon’t aget Singaporetaxed pension 

  Contacttwice on the Centralsame Providentincome.

  You’re Fundrequired (CPF) to findpay outtaxes whetherif you canwork claimin aSingapore. retirementThe incomeextent inof Singapore.  

  Permanentyour residentstax andliability citizenswill candepend contributeon toyour andtax claimresidency fromstatus. See the CPF.Inland ForRevenue moreAuthority information,of read:  

  • FAQsSingapore from the CPFwebsite  

  • guidance onfor the CPF information.

  IfWe recommend that you areget notprofessional aadvice permanenton resident,paying youtax in Singapore.

  You may be able to contributepay toNational theInsurance Supplementarywhile Retirement Schemeabroad into Singapore.   

  Benefits  

  Claimingprotect UKyour benefits  

  ReadState ourPension guidanceand onentitlement moving,to livingother orbenefits retiringand abroad.allowances.

  Pensions

  See ThisState coversPension howif toyou claimretire UKabroad benefitsand abroad,new includingState Child Benefit.   Pension.

  ClaimingLife Singaporecertificates benefits  for UK State Pensions

  YouIf mayyou beget entitleda to‘life somecertificate’ benefitsfrom inthe Singapore.  

  ToUK findPension outService, ifyou you’reneed eligibleto andrespond howas tosoon claim,as readpossible the– Singaporeyour government’spayments guidemay onbe howsuspended toif getyou governmentdon’t. benefits.

  BuyingContact andthe rentingInternational propertyPension inCentre Singapore for any questions.

  Benefits

  ReadSee ourclaiming guidancebenefits onif moving,you livinglive, move, or retiringtravel abroad.

  Find Thisout coverswhich buyingUK andbenefits rentingyou propertymight abroad.   

  Therebe areable restrictionsto onget whatwhile residentialyou’re propertyabroad foreignand nationalshow canto own.claim Visitthem.

  Many theincome-related Singaporebenefits Landsuch Authorityas websitePension forCredit moreand information. 

  ContactHousing aBenefit lawyercan’t inbe Singaporepaid if you’re consideringabroad buyingfor propertymore orthan land. 4 weeks.

  VotingDriving in Singapore Singapore

  UK

  See elections 

  driving abroad and Singapore Travel Advice.

  ReadIf ouryou’re guidanceasked onfor moving,a livingletter certifying or retiringvalidating abroad.your ThisUK coversdriver’s howlicence, to:  

  • votecontact inthe UKDriver electionsand fromVehicle abroad Licensing Agency.

  • registerSee astaking ana overseasvehicle voter out of the UK.

  Singaporean

  Language, elections  

  social ethics and traditions

  YouSingapore cannothas votefour inofficial Singaporeanlanguages: electionsEnglish, unlessMalay, youTamil, holdand SingaporeanMandarin. citizenship.

  StudyingEnglish inis Singapore 

  Ifthe youlanguage planof togovernment, studyeducation inand Singapore,business youand mustis meetnear alluniversally visaspoken. requirementsOfficial beforedocuments youare travel. 

  Forissued morein information:  English.

  • contactSingapore youris higherhome educationto providerpeople inof thevarious UKfaiths: orBuddhist, Singapore  

  • readChristian, guidanceHindu, onMuslim, traveland grantsTaoist, forto studentsname studyinga abroadfew. orThis ondiversity placementsis (England)  

  • visitreflected thein Singaporevarious Ministryplaces of Educationworship websiteall over the country and religious holidays celebrated throughout year.

  Children 

  ReadFor ourinsights guidanceinto onlocal moving,culture livingand ornews, retiringvisit abroad.some Thispopular coverswebsites movinglike abroadMothership, withHoneycombers, children,and including:  The Smart Local.

  • gettingIf permissionyou’d like to takejoin youran childexpat abroad  

  • claiminggroup UKfor ChildBritish Benefitnationals, abroad 

  • childthere’s maintenancethe paymentsBritish ifAssociation, athe parentBritish livesChamber abroad 

  Schoolsof Commerce, and education 

  the British Club.

  TheWhether you’re in Singapore Ministryas ofa Educationtourist providesor informationresident, aboutbe a good citizen. Follow the schoolinglaw. systemThere inare Singapore.  

  Allstrict childrenlaws betweenon 6drug trafficking and 15consumption, yearsdrunk oldand mustdisorderly attendconduct, schoolsexual orassault homeand schoolmolestation, inand Singapore.  

  Fordisrespecting morepublic information,servants. readSee the Singaporelocal government’slaws guidanceand on:  

  • primarycustoms schoolsection inof Singapore Travel Advice  .

  • Drinking and smoking

    secondaryDrunk schooland indisorderly Singapore   

  • schoolbehaviour feesis inan Singapore arrestable offence.

  Childcare  

  The Earlyminimum Childhoodage Developmentfor Agencybuying or smoking cigarettes is responsible21 foryears childcareold. servicesVaporisers inlike Singapore.  e-cigarettes are prohibited.

  IfSee yourthe childlocal islaws aand Singaporeancustoms citizen,section youof maySingapore beTravel eligibleAdvice tofor claimmore preschool subsidies.  information.

  Voting

  ForBritish morecitizens information,living readabroad thecan Singaporevote government’sin guidancesome on:  

  • preschoolUK in Singaporeelections  

  • choosing – ayou’ll preschoolneed forto yourregister child 

  • employingas aan live-inoverseas domestic workervoter.

  Births, deaths,deaths marriages and civilgetting partnerships married

  Births  

  IfYour yourchild’s childbirth ismust bornbe inregistered Singapore,within register14 thecalendar birth with the Singapore authorities.  days.

  Your employer can submit an application for a dependant’s pass for your child within a timeframe set by the Ministry of Manpower. AsA partpassport for your baby is one of thisthe application,required you’lldocuments, needso submit a passport forapplication youronline baby.  with His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) as soon as possible.

  ReadIf ourthe guidanceMinistry onof moving,Manpower livingrequires ora retiringletter abroadregarding the status of your baby’s passport application, you should contact HMPO’s Passport Adviceline. ThisThe coversBritish howHigh to:  Commission is unable to provide this letter because we are not involved in the passport application process.

  • registerA theUK-style birth withregistration thecertificate UKis authoritiesnot tomandatory. getIf ayou’d UKlike one for your baby anyway, see register a birth certificate  abroad.

    apply

    If foryou’re yourfrom child’sa firstneighbouring Britishcountry passport  Theplanning Britishto Highgive Commissionbirth in SingaporeSingapore, cannotyou should have a [valid visit pass for this]([ICA

    Entering, Transiting and Departing](https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart)). We’re unable to provide any letters regarding your child’s nationality or passport status. Contact:   You should contact UK Visas and& Immigration, for(nationality) nationality   or His Majesty’s Passport Office, for passports   (passports).

    Deaths  

    ReadMale ourSingapore guidancecitizens on(including moving,dual livingcitizens orbelow retiringthe abroad.age Thisof covers:  

    • what21) toand domale afterchildren someonegranted diesPermanent abroad 

    • howResident to(PR) registerstatus theas deathpart withof thetheir UKparents’ authorities 

    IfPR someoneapplication diesare inliable Singapore,for readNational guidance on:  Service.

    • Deaths

      See what to do whenafter someone dies inand bereavement information for Singapore  

    • Getting married

      deathSee ingetting Singaporemarried abroad  . Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not recognised in Singapore.

    • Adoption

      funeralSee directorsAdoption in Singapore  .

    Marriages

    Legal and civilother partnerships  services

    List of lawyers and interpreters

    ReadSee our guidancelist onof moving,lawyers. livingInclusion oron retiringthis abroad.list Thisdoes coversnot howmean tothat getthe marriedBritish High Commission or getthe aUK civilgovernment partnershipis abroad.   endorsing these lawyers.

    YouA canmore alsocomprehensive readlist theof Singaporelawyers government’sis guidanceavailable on marriagethe inLaw Society of Singapore website. .

    Same-sex

    Notarial marriages and civildocumentary partnershipsservices

    For arelegal notreasons, legallywe’re recognisedunable into Singapore.carry Forout informationnotarial aboutacts LGBT+ rights in Singapore,Commonwealth readcountries guidancelike onSingapore. safetySee notarial and securitydocumentary inservices theguide travel advice for Singapore. .

    Divorce

    British andpassport separation 

    services

    ReadSee ouroverseas guidancepassport applications. If you have questions on moving,the livingapplication orprocess, retiringcontact abroadthe Passport Adviceline. ThisThe coversBritish howHigh toCommission getis anot divorcepart orof endthe apassport civilapplication partnership.   process, so we’re unable to give any advice on this.

    TheIf Singaporeyou governmentneed offersto guidancetravel onurgently, filingyou can apply for divorcean inemergency Singporetravel document.  .

    Pets

    ConsiderSee takingtravelling legalwith advicepets fromand abringing lawyeryour inpet Singaporeto the UK.

    Documents

    Not forall Britishdog peopleor incat Singapore 

    breeds are allowed into Singapore.

    ReadAll ourdogs guidancemust be licensed; they must be on documentsa forleash Britishin peoplepublic abroad.areas. ThisSee covers:   the Animal & Veterinary Service website for complete guidelines.

    • legalising

      Accommodation and certifyingbuying UKproperty

      See documents  buying property abroad.

    • marriageThere andare civilrestrictions partnershipon documents 

    • affirmationswhat andresidential affidavits  

    • witnessingproperty signatures foreigners can own. Visit the Singapore Land Authority website for information.

    LawyersLeaving and notaries  Singapore

    To findmove ayour lawyerpension orto notarythe inUK, Singapore,contact readthe guidanceInternational onPension professionalCentre. See servicestax if you’reyou abroadreturn to the UK.

    Pets Returning to the UK

    If youyou’re wantconsidering returning to bringthe yourUK petpermanently with(on retirement, for example), you toshould Singapore,consider readhow guidanceyou on:  

    • bringingwill dogssupport yourself and catshow intonon-British Singapore  

    • importingmembers otherof animalsyour tofamily Singapore  

    • takingmay yourbe petable dog,to cataccompany oryou. ferretThere’s information available to ahelp non-EUyou country make these decisions.

    National Insurance

    If you have anot petmade dogfull National Insurance (NI) contributions, you may not be eligible for state benefits or cat,support. read:  His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs provides some useful information on returning to live in the UK for non-residents, including how to make NI contributions from abroad.

    • Healthcare

      theYour catentitlement managementto frameworkfree NHS treatment depends on length and purpose of your residence in Singapore 

    • the legalUK, andnot communalyour guidelinesnationality. You must be able to show UK residency to be eligible for owningfree treatment, even if you are a dogBritish incitizen. SingaporeThe Citizen’s Advice Bureau 

    Returning toor theNHS UK  

    can provide further information.

    Visas

    ReadIf returningyou wish to return to live in the UK permanently.with Thisfamily includesmembers informationwho onare bringingnot familyBritish, membersthey backwill need to meet immigration requirements for settlement in the UK,UK. taxContact UK Visas and accessImmigration tofor services. any questions. The British High Commission is not involved in the visa process.

    Disclaimer  

    Disclaimer

    WeThis provideinformation thisis informationprovided as a general guide only. and Foris definitivebased information,upon contactinformation provided to the Singaporeanembassy authorities.  

    Readby ourthe consularrelevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British High Commission will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information disclaimer.must contact the relevant local authority.