Singapore

Where are you going?

What does Global Solutions offer you & the purpose of this document Fast facts & what can Singapore offer you?Things to do, places to see Getting there & around: Singapore airports & public transport Living in Singapore: where to live and what it’ll cost you Moving your stuff: freight and shipping Getting organised: banking, post, phone & internet Looking after yourself, healthcare and gymsTackling tax, drivers licenses and car insurance Learning in Singapore: early education, primary and secondary schools

NB: All monetary values represented in this document are in local currency and are correct as at June 2010.All local prices are subject to fluctuation and may not necessarily reflect exact values.


At Global Solutions, our highly-experienced consultants support you through every single stage of the recruitment and relocation process. Not only do we have a dedicated international relocation team, but our business is positioned strategically around the globe so we can o�er informed and intelligent advice on local markets.

As part of our unique service, we o�er a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of your intended market. Packed with vital facts on everything from the local nightlife to predicted pay packets, this document is designed to help you make the big decision about whether to move, and where to. What’s more, we always support our specialist knowledge with one-on-one advice and guidance.

Once you’re armed with the facts, we’ll work closely with you until you are placed with the right agency from our global portfolio of clients.

Our commitment doesn’t end when you get the job. To ensure your move is as seamless as possible, we have prepared detailed ‘local arrival’ documents for each of the cities we recruit for across Europe, North America, The Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Written by local

people with local knowledge, these documents contain indispensable information on everything from banking to transport. Think of your arrival document as a practical bible for getting around.

We give you the information you need to make your move, the facts you need to settle in and we hope you recognize that our pledge to your placements goes far beyond recruitment.

This document is a comprehensive guide to living in Singapore; we encourage you to read it carefully and set aside some time to consider your decision from all sides, always remembering that Global Solutions is here to help.

Your market overview: helping you make the decision to move

Your local arrival document: helping you make the move

Purpose of this document



$US 194,918 millionSINGAPORE GDP (2010 estimate)

Singapore, a small island with over 60 surrounding islets, is located in Southeastern Asia. Its land area is 647.5 square kilometers. It is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges, while Indonesia is just a quick ferry trip away. Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane ride away.

Geography

Visa - 1800 110 0344 Asia Collect: 65-345-1345Ambulance - 995Fire Brigade - 995Police - 999Call Assistance (International) - 104Call Assistance (Local) - 100Non-emergency Ambulance - 1777Singapore Immigration and Registration - 6391 6100Singapore Tourism Board - 1800 736 2000

Useful Numbers

The local currency is Singapore dollars and cents. As of June 2010 - £1 British Pound = SGD$2 and 1 Euro = SGD$1.70For current exchange rate, please see www.xe.com

Currency

Malay is the national language. Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, Tamil and English are the o�cial languages. English is the language of administration and widely used for business dealings. Singlish -- a Singaporean version of English that has its own grammar -- is also widely used.

Language

The parliament is unicameral; executive power nominally rests with the president but e�ectively lies with the prime minister and the Cabinet.

Government & Parliamentary

4.839 million Population

693 sq km (268 sq mi).Size

Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, and ConfucianReligion

Like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally hot and humid. It is warm and humid year round, with the temperature almost never dropping below 20°C (68°F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30°C (86°F) during the day. Humidity is high, generally over the 75% mark.

November and December is the rainy season. June to August is considered to provide the most comfortable weather, but even then it rains often.

Climate

In the realm of spectator sport, football is king. Singapore has its own professional football league, known as the S League. Launched in 1996, the league now consists of 12 teams competing with each other in stadiums around the country. In 1998, 2004 and 2007 the Singapore national football team became the champions of the Tiger Cup, the premier football competition in South-East Asia. Most venues have an array of large �at screens showing sports from around the world.

What can Singapore offer you?Sport

When Singaporeans tell you that shopping is the national sport, they're only half joking. Shopping ranks right up there with eating as a favourite pastime. Many visitors to Singapore come with a view to seeing the sights rather than going on a bargain-hunting binge, yet somehow they always end up leaving with an extra bag or two.

The famous Orchard Road features mall after mall of glitzy clothes, shoes, electronics goods, furniture, rugs, cosmetics, etc. There's always a big sale going on somewhere, the people all around you are laden with shopping bags - it’s impossible not to join in the fun.When you're tired with going from shop to shop, there's always a cosy cafe somewhere where you can take a break and have a relaxing cuppa. Starbucks, Co�ee Bean & Tea Leaf and Spinelli have all made their way here, or if you prefer a home-grown cafe there's always Delifrance, The Co�ee Club or Prima Deli. There are even malls with shops that o�er foot re�exology massages to soothe your poor aching feet - and prime them up for more street-pounding!

If you're a shopaholic, you may want to time your visit to Singapore to coincide with the mid-year Great Singapore Sale, when it seems that the whole island is going at a discount. All major shopping centres and boutiques mark down their prices during this period, which can last for up to a month. You may do well to �ght the crowds and shop right at the beginning of the Great Sale - shoppers in the know say that's when the best buys are to be had.

In the street markets and small shops selling tourist wares such as Chinese seals or painted fans, we recommend that you bargain for all you're worth. In the department stores and boutiques, of course, prices are �xed. One exception is the electronics stores at shopping centres like Lucky Plaza or Far East Plaza - here a general rule of thumb is to start haggling for that digital camera or personal digital assistant at a price about 25% below that being o�ered. Needless to say, credit and charge cards are accepted virtually everywhere.

Shopping

Singapore after dark is a city of contrasts - sizzling hot and relaxingly chilled out. Sundown is one of the most captivating and seductive times of this busy nation. Watch the buzz of city mellow and meld with the crimson hue of the evening. Our city lights signal the start of a great night ahead.

Enjoy a nice cold beer against the de�nitive skyline and waterfront promenades. As the tropical heat eases into a comfortable serenity, give in to the beckoning of happy hour and enjoy great down tempo music. Or head on down to some of the world’s hippest clubs and bars and gyrate to the sounds of street-cool hip-hop, soulful R&B and pulse-pounding techno.

If partying 71 �oors above the ground doesn’t sweep you o� your feet, the chocolate-�avoured cocktails will. An out-of-this-world experience, the underwater theme Aquadisiac is a playground for the wild and wacky. And who can forget the iconic Zouk with clubs, a wine bar and blistering live bands. Then there's Ministry of Sound which has won numerous industry awards.

Pubs, Clubs & Nightlife

Many people travelling to Asia for the �rst time are sometimes concerned about eating on the street or at hawker centers, but you need not be. Even in neighboring countries such as Thailand etc it is generally very safe to eat on the street, mainly because street vendors tend not to freeze, refreeze etc they know exactly what they can expect to sell in one day and plan for that with the freshest ingredients. In Singapore the government takes this to another extreme and insists on cleanliness, they have very strict hygiene laws and if the hawker is not respecting them they will be rapidly closed down and �ned.

Below we will give you a guide to some of the best restaurants and hawker centers in Singapore to give you an idea of where to go when you are there. So you know, most hawker centers will have pictures of the food they serve so it can be a great place to experiment. The more modern 'food courts' will also normally have people that speak some English, which will also help you making a decision. Hawker centers and 'food courts' tend to be very good value and could be described as an Asian fast food joint but with only fresh produce that is actually good for you!

Restaurants & cafes

Newton Circus - Hawker Centre - Perhaps the most famous of all the hawker centers and especially popular with late night revelers. As with all hawker centers there are many di�erent stalls to choose from o�ering a wide variety of food. This hawker centre is one of the oldest and is open air so it can be a little sticky if you prefer the comfort of air conditioning.

Raffles City - Hawker Centre - Granted these new and very popular air conditioned varieties of hawker centers should probably be better described as Food Courts but for our purpose we stick with hawker centre as they run on the same concept with the di�erence being that they are in luxurious shopping malls and are fully air conditioned. This one at Ra�es City is excellent and a great way of experiencing a hawker centre in complete luxury.

Raffles Hotel - Afternoon Tea - Ti�n Room - Not so much a restaurant but a memorable experience all the same and something which should not be missed. If you enjoy history, elegance, or just afternoon high tea, then the Afternoon High Tea at The infamous Ra�es Hotel is a must. The hotel o�ers two varieties, one in the Ti�n room, which is the one we recommend and another in the billiards room. There is a very strict dress code so do dress appropriately to avoid disappointment and reservations are strongly recommended. The Afternoon High Tea consists of teas, co�ees, and a bu�et line up of a good selection of hot and cold food.

Chijmes - Another must in Singapore this converted convent area is magni�cent, especially at night and something you should not miss when in Singapore. It houses a whole variety of restaurants including Japanese, American - Tex-Mex, French, International, Chinese and the list goes on. Some restaurants here are open air allowing you to dine in these beautiful surroundings in the heart of Singapore under the stars.

Boat Quay and Clarke Quay - Every seen the famous pictures of the Singapore skyline with the tall skyscrapers and the small shop houses by the river? Well; those small shop houses make up Boat Quay and a bit further along is Clarke Quay. Both are pretty much the same although Boat Quay does house more bars. Both though o�er riverside dining with Indian, Thai, Chinese, International food etc available. Another must.

Resorts World Sentosa – Opened in the �rst quarter of 2010, Resorts World Sentosa is Singapore’s premier entertainment venue. It is the country’s �rst integrated resort with key attractions including two casinos, a Universal Studios theme park and the world’s largest oceanarium. The S$6.6 billion resort is built by Genting International and occupies 49 hectares of land and employs over 10,000 people. Only a short taxi ride away from the city, Resorts World Sentosa is an experience not to miss.

Check – www.rwssentosa.om

(Following in RWS’s path, The Marina Bay Sands also opened its doors in 2010. The Sands is a high spec entertainment destination o�ering luxury accommo-dation, shopping, dining, world class entertainment and convention and exhibition facilities)

Check – www.marinabaysands.com


Jurong Bird Park is home to over 8,000 birds of 600 species from all over the world. Located adjacent to the Bird Park, Jurong Crocodile Paradise includes over 2,500 crocodiles in a landscaped setting, with underwater viewing areas and a breeding enclosure.

In its jungle setting, Singapore's renowned 'open' zoo, the Singapore Zoological Gardens is a haven for both animals and visitors. More than 2,000 creatures are housed in landscaped enclosures, with rock walls and streams replacing cages.

Animal, Birds & Aquatic Life

The Singapore History Museum is an architectural gem with each of its two levels re�ecting a di�erent order of Greek classical architecture. The Changi Prison Chapel, with its thatched roof and outdoor pews, is a replica of the original built by Allied prisoners of war in World War II. The Museum, which also features a souvenir shop, records the daily life of the prisoners through a display of photographs, paintings and sketches.

Arts, Cultural & Museums

O� the beaten track, Changi Village shows a more relaxed side of Singapore. The local beach has clean sand that attracts �shermen and bathers alike-especially at weekends.

In Chinatown, amidst narrow streets of picturesque shop houses and restaurants brimming with life, the temple idol carvers, herbalists, calligraphers, traders and trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed little for generations.

Geylang, traditionally the home of Singapore's Malay, Arab and Indonesian communities, is alive with market stalls and bustling crowds, particularly during Muslim festivals. Neighboring Katong is a quiet residential area formerly colonized by wealthy Straits Chinese families or the Peranakans. Many of Katong's new apartment blocks have spectacular sea views, while the older Peranakan homes, once seaside villas, now stand back from the sea. Parkway Parade is the place to �nd shopping bargains, but Katong is best known for its wonderful eating houses.

Famous Districts



Singapore is one of only two cities in the world to have a signi�cant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries - the other being Rio de Janeiro. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, an 81-hectare reserve, only 12 kilometers from the city centre, contains more species of plants than the entire North American continent.

Fort Canning Park is a park rich in history - a sacred site where early Malay kings settled and the spot Sir Stamford Ra�es chose to build his own bungalow, Singapore's �rst Government House. Fort Canning Centre, which dominates the park, is now a venue for the arts.

East Coast Park, located o� the East Coast Parkway, is a favourite play area for Singaporeans, either at the beach or in the parklands where bicycle riding is much enjoyed. Hire a bike or go windsur�ng, eat at one of the many �ne seafood restaurants or enjoy yourself at the various leisure attractions. These include everything from a bowling alley to a golf driving range.

Mount Faber o�ers a panoramic view of the harbour and neighbouring Sentosa Island, as well as a large measure of tranquillity. It is also a place to catch the cable car to Sentosa.

Located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the National Orchid Garden is the largest orchid display in the world and features over 60,000 orchid plants. It also houses the famed "VIP Orchids" named after visiting Heads of State.

Spread over 52 hectares close to the centre of the city, the Botanic Gardens combine both primary jungle and manicured gardens which together hold thousands of species of plant life, including many rare specimens.

Gardens and Parks


Singapore Changi Airport is a busy modern airport located at the eastern tip of Singapore some 20 km from the city. It was recently voted the best airport in the world by the World Business Awards for 2010. Check www.changiairport.com

Changi Airport

Bus terminals are located at the basement of Terminals 1 and 2. Information on bus services is available near the bus stands. You need to prepare the exact fare for buses as no change will be given. The typical fare for a journey from the Airport to the City will be below $2.00. Buses operate from 6am to midnight (daily).

To and from the airport:

Public Buses Budget rides to the city and other parts of the island can be made on the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) services. The MRT station is located in Terminal 2 and is also accessible via the Skytrain from Terminal 1. It takes about 27 minutes to reach the city. The typical fare for a journey to the City will be below $2.00. Trains run at 12 minute

intervals from 5.30am to 11.15pm daily.

Trains (MRT)

The bus system covers all of Singapore with sometimes more than one bus plying the same route. Bus services are regular and inexpensive and most of the buses are air-conditioned. Bus fares vary according to the distance travelled. You must have the exact fare ready as all buses are One-Man-Operated where the driver does everything and does not give change. It is therefore, important for you to know your route and fare beforehand. The bus guide is a good source of information and it is available at all leading bookstores.

Buses

You can catch a taxi to any destination at the taxi stands at the Arrival Hall. This service is available 24 hours daily. A typical fare will cost between $16-24 and surcharges (generally another $3-5).

Taxis /Cabs Singapore's main public transportation networks are the buses and trains (MRT) and taxis.

Public Transport in the City of Singapore


The MRT now consists of �ve lines travelling north-south, east-west, northeast, downtown and the recently opened Circle Line which links them all and is the premier line for drop o� at the business district Suntec City. The MRT service is fast, modern and air-conditioned. It operates at regular intervals of three to eight minutes from as early as 5.30 am to 12.30 am daily.

Travelling on the MRT is relatively cheap with fares ranging from $0.70 to $2.20 on each line. You can buy stored value passes, called ezLink fare cards, for multiple trips or a single value card each time you travel. The ezLink fare card can also be used on buses operated by Singapore Bus Services (SBS) and Trans Island Bus Services (TIBS). Tickets are sold at all stations and costs are clearly displayed above the ticket machines.

Trains

Taxis are widely available. Rates are reasonable and standard among all the �ve taxi companies in Singapore. Taxis will stop at taxi stands where orderly queues are formed and anywhere else that is safe and does not violate tra�c rules. The taxi fares are set out below:

$2.40 �ag down for �rst 1 km$0.10 for every subsequent 240m up to 10km$0.10 for every subsequent 225m after 10km$0.10 for every 30 seconds of part there of that the taxi is detained.Surcharge of 50% of the fare from midnight to 6am

Taxis


Most Singaporeans regard East Coast Park as a favourite play area as it is full of activities such as bowling, cycling, windsur�ng, canoeing, roller-blading and sail boarding. Families can also hold picnics here while enjoying the beauty of the park. Other leisure attractions include the East Coast Tennis Centre and the Laguna Golf Course. Eating outlets are also available around the park's vicinity.

Expatriates choose to live in the east coast because it is away from the hustle and bustle of city living, and the east o�ers more choices for food and the privilege of having the sea close by. Some apartments in this district o�er a panoramic sea view and most condos are a 10-15 minute walk to the water.

Although the East Coast is seen as the main area for English, Australian, Irish and New Zealand expatriates there is also a generous mix of local Singaporeans making it a vibrant international location.

Orchard Road constitutes the main shopping district of Singapore and major department stores, hotels, boutiques and dining and entertainment venues are located there. It is the equivalent of Ginza and Roppongi in Tokyo and Oxford, Regent Streets and Piccadilly Circus in London.

The residential precincts in this district are found on Cairnhill to the north of Orchard Road, and Killiney, Grange and River Valley to the south. Grange Road and River Valley Road are sprouted with condominiums and are one of the most desired residential areas in Singapore.

District 10 is the picture of leafy surburbia with well scrubbed dwellings on generous (by local standards) plots of land with ready access to schools, both local and international.

Although Singapore has a small land area, sub-markets have evolved over time as a result of location. For example, the residential districts of Bukit Timah, Holland Road, the Tanglin district and Orchard Road can be considered as a local market within the residential market in Singapore. Ra�es Place is generally regarded as the prime market for o�ce space while Orchard Road is the prime location for retail space.

East Coast Vicinity – Districts 15 & 16 – Expat Central

Orchard, Bukit Timah and Holland vicinity Districts 9 and 10

There aren't many condominiums or apartments to choose from if you are looking to stay within walking distance of the Singapore Business District. Further up north is the Singapore River. Along the river there are several condominiums worth considering as it is still within a stone's throw away from the Shenton area. Expatriates love to stay in this area as there are many restaurants, pubs and clubs along the river and the Mohamed Sultan Road. Check new condo developments in Robertson Quay.

City, Raffles Place, River Side


Singapore’s lack of land translates into an expensive rental for real estate. Rental for an apartment in the heart of downtown Orchard Road (prime top end of the market), the shopping district, can cost as much as $6,000 for a cosy 1,300 sq ft 3-bdrm apartment. Rentals for bigger apartments, of, say 2000 to 3000 sq ft, can go beyond the $9,000 mark.

NB: The above costs are indicative only and may di�er from area to area within the nominated city. Customarily, rental markets �uctuate 10% - 30% within a Local Area Network and increase approximately 5% - 10% annually. Figures accurate as of May 2010Here is a further breakdown of prices by speci�c residential locations for 3 beds.

For further information on the cost of living in this city, please email [email protected]

Cost

What it’ll cost you – e.g. East Coast Living (The Bayshore, Bayshore Park, Mandarin Gardens)

Expense Type Share House (per room) 1 Bedroom Apartment 2 Bedroom Apartment

3 Bedroom Apartment

/ House

Rent $400.00 $600-700 $700-800 $1000-1200

Bills $50.00 $60.00 $70.00 $100.00

Travel $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00

Entertainment $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00

Mobile Expense $30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00

Food Expense $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00

TOTAL Weekly $610.00 $820.00 $980.00 $1,360.00

TOTAL Annually $31,720.00 $42,640.00 $50,960.00 $70,720.00

Cost of Living - Singapore (Weekly)

District Location Rental 3 bedroom ($)

Astrid Meadows 10 Bukit Timah 7,000 to 11,000 depending on size

Balmoral Residences 10 Bukit Timah 8,000

Costa Del Sol 15 East Coast 4,500 to 5,500

Country Park 16 East Coast 3,500

Duchess Crest 10 Bukit Timah 7,000

Four Seasons Park 09 Orchard 11,500

La Crystal 09 River Valley 4,000

Mandarin Gardens 15 East Coast 4,200

Queens 03 Queenstown 4,500

Regency Park 09 Orchard 12,000

Sommerville Park 10 Bukit Timah 4,000 to 7,500 depending on size

Villa Marina 15 Siglap 4,200

Yong An Park 09 River Valley 6,800

Condo Name


Deciding whether to ship your household goods to Singapore is entirely up to the individual and their situation. The most common form of shipping used is sea freight. This normally takes around 8 weeks from England to Singapore.

If you do not want to ship over your furniture etc, but if you will have more than the allowed baggage weight of the airline, tea chests and cartons of various sizes are available. A standard tea chest is approximately 60cm high, 40cm wide and 50cm deep and will hold up to 30kg.

It is worth shopping around to see what the best deal is for you. Be aware that some prices include customs duty etc, and others don’t. It is also worth noting that if you are travelling to a country with a permanent visa (and sometimes with a temporary visa), the baggage allowance is increased. It is worth discussing your options and allowances with your airline.

Allfreight International

www.allfreight.co.uk

Banks and hotels can change money and most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Most banks open from 9.30am to 3pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays. To open an account in Singapore, you will need copies of your passport, employer's letter, and a statement from a bank in your home country. Most of the major banks in the world are represented here. Singapore has extensive facilities of automated teller machines (ATMs) and a cashless payment system called NETS for your paying convenience. If you plan to stay in Singapore for an extended period, you should use these facilities.

BankingInternet is o�ered in many hotels. Cafes, shopping centers, subway stations and public library also o�er free related Internet facilities. If you have your own laptop, you can connect with the Internet at many emporiums or cafes.

When you get set up in a residence, an internet connection can be signed up for as part of your digital TV package. Costs per month, depending on your choice of channels plus internet connection range from $60-90 per month.

Internet

All mail in Singapore is usually delivered by the next working day at some time in early to late afternoon --through a network of more than 1,300 postal outlets around the island. Singapore uses a six-digit postal code. The basic mail service is run by Singapore Post (SP), a subsidiary of Singapore Telecom. For enquiries on postal and other services, contact:

Post

Home telephone line - You need to go to Comcentre at Killiney Road personally if this is the �rst time you are applying for a line. Documents needed - original passport, employment pass and the signed Tenancy Agreement for veri�cation. For existing customers, you can apply online at http://www.singtel.com

Cable TV or Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) - You can apply online at http://www.starhub.com

For the latest Singapore digital TV o�ering, check - http://mio.singtel.com/miotv/

TV licence – Your TV licence can be paid at any Singapore Post O�ce. Documents needed are a photocopied passport, employment pass and a signed Tenancy Agreement.

Phones

Singapore Post Pte LtdTel: 1605 or 1800-222-5777Fax: 6225-2053Web: http://www.singpost.com.sg



Singapore’s well-established healthcare system comprises a total of 13 private hospitals, 10 public (government) hospitals and several specialist clinics, each specializing in and catering to di�erent patient needs, at varying costs.

Patients are free to choose the providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private clinic or any government polyclinic. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident & Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals.

Most hotels have their own doctor on 24-hour call. Contact the Front O�ce or Room Service for assistance. For an ambulance, dial 995.

Foreigners seeking inpatient services can choose to be warded in single-bed rooms, two-bed rooms and four-bed rooms of private hospitals. They will only have a choice of single (A class) rooms or two-bed (B1 class) rooms in government hospitals. Medical fees in government hospitals are relatively lower than in private hospitals but non-Singaporeans will pay a 30 percent premium over the fees charged to the locals.

Prices vary between medical clinics but you can expect to pay between $40 - $50 for a consultation alone. A visit to the dentist for a regular "check up" may cost from $30 upwards for a child and $40 and above for an adult.

The best advice is to ensure that you and your family are covered by a medical insurance either through your company or privately.

For keeping �t most condos have their own gym facilities but in case your accommodation doesn’t have this, check the following link:

www.sg�tness.com


Singapore has a well-regulated tax system, and personal income tax rates are generally lower than in other developed countries. All expatriates working in Singapore are liable to pay Singapore income tax ranging from 3.5% to the top rate of 20% (over SGD $320K)

Under the Singapore tax laws, income tax is chargeable on the income of any person, which is statutorily extended to include individuals, a company and a body of persons.

Other sources of tax revenue include Property Tax, Goods and Services Tax, Stamp Duties, Estate Duties, Private Lotteries and Duties on Betting.

Residents are taxed on income derived from or accrued in Singapore, and on income derived from outside Singapore and received in Singapore.

Residency status

Non-residents are taxed only on income derived from or accrued in Singapore. They do not have to pay taxes on foreign income received in Singapore. Also, they are exempted from income tax if they work in Singapore for 60 days or less in a calendar year. Non-residents are taxed at either a �at rate of 15 per cent on employment income, without personal reliefs, or the residents' graduated rate, whichever is higher. In addition, non-residents are taxed a �at rate of 27 per cent on non-employment income derived from Singapore.

For further information on income tax, please see The Inland revenue Authority of Singapore’s website: www.iras.gov.sg

Non Residency Status


If you are residing in Singapore for less than 12 months, you are not required to convert your foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license. You may drive in Singapore with a valid International Driving Permit issued by a foreign Automobile Association. If an International Driving Permit is not available, an o�cial translation in English is required.

For foreigners on Employment Pass / Dependant Pass/ Student Pass/ or Work Permit and residing in Singapore for more than 12 months or if you are a Singapore Permanent Resident, you are required to convert your foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license in order to drive here.

If you convert your foreign license within 12 months from the date you �rst entered Singapore, you only need to pass the Basic Theory Test, which familiarizes you with Singapore's Highway Code.After passing your Basic Theory Test, you will need to submit your application in person at Tra�c Police Department,

No. 10 Ubi Avenue 3 with the following documents:‧Result slip ‧Passport ‧Identity Card ‧Valid foreign driving license ‧A certi�cation from the licensing Authority of the date of test ‧Extract of driving License record from the Licensing Authority if your License does not have the date of �rst issue ‧A translation of the driving license if it is not in English

Applications for conversion of a foreign driving license for Singaporeans are not normally granted unless they have stayed in the foreign country continuously for six months, and the foreign license was obtained during this period.

Every user of a motor vehicle in Singapore must have in force an insurance policy which provides him or her with indemnity for legal liabilities arising out of death or bodily injuries in connection with the use of the motor vehicle on the road. It is illegal to drive or be in charge of a vehicle on a public road without a motor insurance policy.

Drivers License and Insurance


A child starts studying at Primary One at the age of six and studies for six years. He/she then sits for the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) before moving on to secondary school for another four or �ve years. In secondary school, he/she can choose - based on his/her examination results to enter in the School Cambridge General Certi�cate of Education 'Ordinary' (GCE 'O's) level examinations.

In Singapore, there are many International Schools to choose from. It is compulsory for foreign students studying here to apply for an annual student pass from the Immigration Department. The following are just some of the international schools available:

The International Community School (ICS) is the only Christian international school in Singapore. ICS o�ers an American-based College Preparatory curriculum for students ages 4 through 18 as well as an ESL program. www.ics.edu.sg

The International Community School (ICS)

The Chatsworth International School has an internationally-based education program drawing from a wide range of education systems, especially those from the United States and the United Kingdom. This school provides a full program here, from kindergarten to high school where students can choose to work towards the American High School Diploma or the British system of the IGCSE.www.chatsworth.com.sg

Chatsworth International School

An English medium international school for children aged three to �fteen years. Dover Court delivers a British based curriculum adapted to the needs of international students. www.dovercourt.edu.sg

Dover Court Preparatory School

FS provides a modern education in the English language for overseas families living in Singapore. Classes start from kindergarten to high school level. www.ofs.edu.sg

Overseas Family School (OFS)

For further information on education in Singapore, please see the Ministry of Education’s website: www.moe.gov.sg

For any further questions on any of the information you have read here, please contact our offices directly and ask for one of our experienced International Candidate Managers.

HONG KONG2912 Shell Tower, Times Square

1 Matherson StreetCauseway Bay, Hong Kong

Office: +852 2961 4696

SINGAPORE8 Eu Tong Sen Street,

The Central#21-81 Singapore 059818

Office: + 65 6225 1229

EUROPELevel 2, 7-9 Lonsdale Gardens

Tunbridge Wells, KentTN1 1NU, United Kingdom

Office: +44 1892 546366

AUSTRALIALevel 4, 12 O’Connell Street

Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

Office: +612 8116 8986
