Landing in Singapore: The Complete Checklist

Your complete survival checklist for the critical first 45 days – from touchdown at Changi Airport to establishing your basic routine. This guide covers only the essentials you need to function and settle in.

✅ Completed your first 45 days? Discover how to truly thrive in our Living in Singapore guide

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Pre-Departure Essentials

Documentation Checklist

Passport & Visa Requirements

  • Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity from entry date
  • Singapore visa (Tourist/Employment/Student Pass as applicable)
  • Recent passport-sized color photographs (taken within last 3 months)
  • Completed Form 14A (visa application form)
  • Form V39A (Letter of Introduction) if applicable

Employment Pass Documents

  • Job offer letter from Singapore employer
  • Educational certificates and transcripts (original + certified copies)
  • Professional certifications and experience letters
  • Salary slips from last 3 months (if employed)
  • Medical examination reports (if required)

Financial Documentation

  • Bank statements for last 6 months
  • Proof of financial stability
  • Foreign exchange conversion records
  • Income tax returns (last 2 years)

Pre-Travel Preparations

Health & Medical

  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if traveling from affected areas)
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage
  • Medical prescriptions and reports for ongoing treatments
  • International health insurance policy

Banking Arrangements

  • Inform Indian banks about overseas travel
  • Activate international usage on debit/credit cards
  • Research Singapore banking options (SBI, ICICI, DBS branches available)
  • Consider opening NRO/NRE accounts for easy fund transfers

💡 Pro Tip: Set up Wise account before you travel. You can send money to yourself in Singapore at the real exchange rate!

Upon Arrival in Singapore

Immigration Clearance

  • Submit SG Arrival Card (SGAC) within 3 days of arrival
  • Present all required documents at immigration
  • Provide biometrics (fingerprints, facial recognition)
  • Receive Visit Pass/Entry stamp

Essential First-Week Tasks

Employment Pass Processing (3-8 weeks total timeline)

  1. Book appointment with MOM for biometric registration
  2. Submit In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter
  3. Complete medical check-up if required
  4. Collect Employment Pass card (within 5 working days)

Immediate Setup

  • Purchase local SIM card or portable WiFi device at Changi Airport
  • Get EZ-Link card for public transportation
  • Open local bank account (bring passport, visa, proof of address)
  • Register with nearest Indian High Commission

Housing Solutions

Housing Options for Indians

HDB Flats (Government Housing)

  • Most affordable option
  • Minimum 6-month lease for foreigners
  • Suitable for families and long-term residents
  • Rental range: SGD 1,500-3,500/month

Private Condominiums

  • Premium amenities (pools, gyms, security)
  • Popular with working professionals
  • Higher rent but more comfort
  • Rental range: SGD 2,500-6,000/month

Room Rentals/Shared Accommodation

  • Ideal for students and solo professionals
  • Shared facilities
  • Most budget-friendly option
  • Rental range: SGD 800-1,600/month

Housing Eligibility Rules

For Non-PRs (Employment Pass Holders)

  • Can rent any type of housing
  • Cannot buy HDB flats
  • Can buy private condos and landed property (with restrictions)

Popular Areas for Indians

  • Little India (cultural familiarity)
  • Jurong (affordable, good connectivity)
  • Woodlands (close to Malaysia border)
  • Toa Payoh (central location)
  • Ang Mo Kio (family-friendly)

Banking & Financial Setup

Indian Banks in Singapore

  • State Bank of India: 5 branches across Singapore
  • ICICI Bank: 2 branches (Republic Plaza, Cecil Street)
  • Bank of Baroda: 1 branch (Raffles Place)
  • Bank of India: 1 branch (Cecil Street)
  • Indian Bank: 1 branch (Raffles Place)

Account Opening Requirements

  • Valid passport and visa
  • Proof of Singapore address
  • Employment letter
  • Minimum initial deposit (varies by bank)
  • Recent passport-sized photographs

Recommended Local Banks

  • DBS Bank: Extensive ATM network
  • OCBC Bank: Good for foreigners
  • UOB Bank: Comprehensive services
  • Standard Chartered: NRI-focused services

Transportation Guide

Public Transport System

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)

  • Backbone of Singapore’s transport
  • Covers all major areas
  • Operating hours: 5:30 AM – 12:30 AM
  • Frequency: 2-5 minutes during peak hours

Buses

  • Complement MRT network
  • Extensive island-wide coverage
  • Air-conditioned and punctual

Payment Options

  • EZ-Link card (recommended for daily use)
  • SimplyGo (contactless payment via cards/mobile)
  • Singapore Tourist Pass (for short-term visitors)

Private Transportation

Taxis & Ride-Hailing

  • Grab (most popular app)
  • ComfortDelGro (traditional taxi)
  • Higher cost but convenient

Car Ownership

  • Certificate of Entitlement (COE) required
  • Very expensive due to government controls
  • Not recommended for most expatriates

Essential Services Setup

Healthcare System

Polyclinics (Primary Care)

  • Government-subsidized healthcare
  • Affordable basic medical services
  • Longer waiting times

Private Healthcare

  • Premium hospitals and clinics
  • Shorter waiting times
  • Higher costs (insurance recommended)

Health Insurance

  • Mandatory for Employment Pass holders
  • Minimum coverage: SGD 15,000 annually
  • Consider comprehensive international plans

Mobile & Internet Services

Major Telcos

  • Singtel (largest network coverage)
  • StarHub (good value plans)
  • M1 (competitive pricing)

Recommended Plans for Indians

  • Unlimited local calls/SMS
  • Adequate data allowance (10-20GB)
  • International calling add-ons for India

Utilities Setup

Electricity & Gas

  • SP Group (default provider)
  • Open Electricity Market (choose retailer)
  • Setup requires tenancy agreement

Water

  • PUB (Public Utilities Board)
  • Typically included in rental

Cultural Integration & Lifestyle

Understanding Singapore Culture

Multicultural Society

  • Chinese (74%), Malay (13%), Indian (9%), Others (4%)
  • Four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
  • Respect for diversity and religious harmony

Social Etiquette

  • Remove shoes when entering homes
  • Avoid pointing with index finger
  • Respect queue culture
  • Keep public areas clean (heavy fines for littering)
🌟 Ready for Deeper Integration?
This covers your basic cultural orientation. For advanced community building, festival participation, and cultural immersion strategies, see our [Living in Singapore Community Guide](#living-link).

Food & Dining

Indian Food Availability

  • Little India: Authentic North & South Indian cuisine
  • Tekka Centre: Famous Indian food court
  • Komala Vilas: Popular vegetarian chain
  • Hawker centres: Local-style Indian dishes

Halal & Vegetarian Options

  • Clearly marked in most establishments
  • Separate vegetarian sections in food courts
  • Many Indian restaurants cater to dietary restrictions

Religious & Community Centers

Hindu Temples

  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (Little India)
  • Sri Mariamman Temple (Chinatown)
  • Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Little India)

Community Organizations

  • Singapore Indian Association
  • Tamil Welfare Association
  • Various regional Indian community groups

Quick Budget Planning for First 45 Days

Essential Cost Overview

  • Housing: SGD 800-1,600 (room rental) – your biggest expense
  • Daily essentials: SGD 300-500 (food, transport, mobile)
  • Setup costs: SGD 500-1,000 (deposits, initial purchases)
  • Emergency buffer: SGD 1,000 minimum for unexpected costs

💡 Planning Tip: Budget SGD 2,000-2,500 monthly during your first 45 days while you learn optimization strategies.

Money Transfer Essentials

  • Before departure: Set up Wise account for real exchange rates
  • First week priority: Open Singapore bank account
  • Emergency cash: Keep SGD 1,000 cash for initial days
  • India banking: Inform your Indian banks about overseas move

🚀 Ready to optimize your finances and save significantly?
[Master advanced cost-cutting strategies in our Living in Singapore guide →]

Legal & Administrative Setup

Important Registrations

Income Tax Registration

  • Automatic for Employment Pass holders
  • File annual tax returns
  • Tax rates: 0-22% (progressive)

CPF (Central Provident Fund)

  • Mandatory for PRs and citizens
  • Employment Pass holders not required
  • Voluntary contribution possible

Important Government Agencies

  • Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Work pass matters
  • Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA): Visa issues
  • Housing Development Board (HDB): Public housing
  • Inland Revenue Authority (IRAS): Tax matters

Emergency Contacts & Important Numbers

Emergency Services

  • Police: 999
  • Fire & Ambulance: 995
  • Non-Emergency Police: 1800-255-0000

Consular Services

Indian High Commission Singapore

  • Address: 31 Grange Road, Singapore 239702
  • Phone: +65 6737 6777
  • Emergency: +65 9048 1727

Useful Helplines

  • MOM Helpline: 6438 5122
  • Tourist Hotline: 1800 736 2000
  • Singapore General Hospital: 6222 3322

Monthly Action Items Timeline

Month 1: Immediate Essentials

  •  Complete immigration formalities
  •  Open bank account
  •  Set up mobile phone service
  •  Find temporary accommodation
  •  Register with Indian High Commission

Month 2: Settling In

  •  Secure permanent housing
  •  Complete Employment Pass processing
  •  Set up utilities
  •  Explore neighborhoods and amenities
  •  Join Indian community groups

Month 3: Long-term Integration

  •  Understand tax obligations
  •  Plan for family relocation (if applicable)
  •  Explore investment options
  •  Build professional network
  •  Plan return visits to India

Pro Tips for Indians

Cultural Adaptation

  1. Language: English is widely spoken, but learning basic Mandarin helps
  2. Weather: Prepare for constant humidity and occasional heavy rain
  3. Work Culture: Punctuality and efficiency are highly valued
  4. Networking: Join professional associations and Indian community groups

Money-Saving Tips

  1. Food: Eat at hawker centres for affordable meals
  2. Transport: Use public transport instead of taxis
  3. Shopping: Check for GST tourist refund eligibility
  4. Utilities: Compare electricity retailers for better rates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Not researching neighborhood connectivity before choosing housing
  2. Underestimating the cost of living
  3. Not maintaining ties with Indian banking system
  4. Ignoring Singapore’s strict laws and regulations
  5. Not building a local professional network

Resources & Useful Websites

Government Portals

Housing Platforms

  • PropertyGuru.com.sg
  • 99.co
  • SRX.com.sg
  • Rentify.sg

Job Portals

  • MyCareersFuture.gov.sg
  • JobsDB.com
  • LinkedIn Singapore
  • Indeed Singapore

Community Groups

  • Singapore Indian Association
  • Indians in Singapore Facebook Groups
  • LinkedIn expat communities

This checklist serves as your comprehensive guide to landing successfully in Singapore. Remember, preparation is key to a smooth transition. Take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the vibrant Indian community in Singapore for support and guidance.