Relocating to Singapore with your family involves a sequence of interlocking decisions — your work pass, your spouse’s right to work, children’s school enrolment, where to live, how to bank, and whether to hire a domestic helper. Each piece has its own process, timeline, and cost. This guide covers the full picture for the professional family arriving in Singapore in 2026: from pre-departure preparations through the first year of life on the ground. It is written for the relocating to Singapore family guide reader who wants specifics, not ranges.
Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities for expatriate families. The country’s infrastructure is excellent, English is the working language, healthcare is world-class, and personal safety is exceptional. The trade-off is cost: Singapore is one of Asia’s most expensive cities to live in, and the family budget must be sized accordingly before the move.
Step 1: Secure the Right Work Pass
Everything in Singapore begins with the principal applicant’s work pass. Without a valid work pass, there is no legal basis for residence and no Dependant’s Pass for the family. The most common pass for relocating professionals is the Employment Pass (EP). As at 5 June 2026, the EP qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month for most sectors and S$6,200 for the financial services sector — these thresholds rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600 respectively from 1 January 2027 for new applications.
EP applications are also subject to the COMPASS points framework, which evaluates salary benchmarks, qualifications, employer diversity, and support for local hiring. For a full walkthrough of the EP application process, COMPASS scoring, and qualifying salary thresholds, see the Complete Singapore Employment Pass Guide 2026. For S Pass holders (professionals earning between S$3,300 and S$5,599 per month), the same Dependant’s Pass entitlement described below applies — subject to the employer’s S Pass quota headroom.
Step 2: Dependant’s Pass for Spouse and Children
EP and most S Pass holders can apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their legally married spouse and/or unmarried children aged under 21. The DP allows family members to reside legally in Singapore for the duration of the principal pass holder’s validity period. DP applications are submitted through the MOM myMOM Portal and are typically processed within 3–5 working days.
A critical note for S Pass holders: only those earning S$6,000 or more per month are eligible to bring family members on a DP. S Pass holders earning below S$6,000 cannot bring dependants on a DP (though they may be eligible for a Long Term Visit Pass at MOM’s discretion). For a full explanation of DP entitlements, LTVP, and the Letter of Consent (which allows DP holders to work), see the Dependant’s Pass, LTVP and LOC Guide 2026.
A spouse on a DP can obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore, but the LOC must be applied for separately by the employing company and is not automatic. Spouses who wish to work immediately should factor LOC processing time (~10 working days) into their pre-arrival planning.
Step 3: Finding a Home in Singapore
Most expatriate families rent rather than buy on arrival. Foreign nationals on employment passes are not permitted to buy HDB flats during their first three years of PR status, and purchasing private property attracts a 60% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for foreigners — making outright purchase impractical for most short-to-medium-term residents.
The rental market stabilised in 2025 after the post-COVID surge. As at mid-2026, indicative rental ranges for unfurnished properties are:
| Property Type | Location | Approx. Monthly Rent (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom condominium | Orchard / River Valley | S$5,500–S$7,500 |
| 3-bedroom condominium | Orchard / River Valley | S$8,000–S$13,000 |
| 3-bedroom condominium | East (Katong / Marine Parade) | S$5,500–S$8,000 |
| 3-bedroom condominium | North (Bishan / Ang Mo Kio) | S$4,500–S$6,500 |
| 3-bedroom HDB (resale) | Various (PR holders only) | S$3,500–S$5,000 |
| 4-bedroom landed (terrace) | Bukit Timah / East | S$12,000–S$22,000 |
Most landlords require a 12-month lease with a 2-month security deposit plus 1-month advance. Utilities (electricity, water, town council fees) typically add S$200–S$500 per month depending on condominium facility usage and air-conditioning hours. For a broader cost breakdown, see our Cost of Living in Singapore for Expats: 2026 Numbers.
Step 4: Schooling for Children
School enrolment is typically the second-largest family cost after housing, and the item most prone to long lead times. The two main options for expatriate children are international schools and local government schools.
International Schools
Singapore has over 30 international schools offering curricula from IB, British, American, and other national systems. Annual tuition fees typically range from S$20,000 to S$45,000 per year depending on the school, year group, and curriculum. Popular schools with strong reputations — including United World College (UWC), Tanglin Trust, Singapore American School, and the Canadian International School — have waiting lists of 6–18 months at competitive year groups. Applications should be submitted 6–12 months before the planned start date where possible. Availability of places is never guaranteed.
Local MOE Schools
Non-citizen, non-PR children may apply for a place in a Singapore Ministry of Education school through the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), held annually in September. AEIS tests English and Mathematics. Successful applicants are placed based on available vacancies and test performance. Local MOE school fees for non-citizens are significantly lower than international school fees (roughly S$770–S$2,500 per month depending on nationality and school). For current fee tables, see the MOE International Students page.
Families should note that MOE school places for international students are not guaranteed and competition for sought-after schools is high. Applying for PR status can meaningfully improve children’s school placement odds — see the Complete Singapore PR Pathway Guide 2026 for the application process.
Step 5: Healthcare
Singapore has excellent public and private healthcare. The key point for EP holders and their dependants is that MediShield Life does not cover non-residents and non-PRs. Foreign nationals on EPs and DPs are not enrolled in MediShield Life and must rely on private health insurance or employer-provided coverage for all medical expenses. Employer standard packages typically cover the EP holder but may not automatically cover Dependant’s Pass holders — check the scope of your employer’s policy on arrival.
Private health insurance for an expatriate family of four typically costs S$6,000–S$18,000 per year depending on coverage levels, insurer, and whether it is an international or Singapore-only policy. Upon achieving PR status, MediShield Life enrolment becomes mandatory and forms the base layer of Singapore’s integrated shield plan framework.
Step 6: Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)
Singapore has a well-established system for hiring live-in foreign domestic workers (FDWs), also known as domestic helpers. For dual-income expatriate families with young children or elderly dependants, an FDW is a common and practical solution. As at 2026, the key parameters are:
- Monthly levy: S$300 per month (standard levy; concessionary rate of S$60 applies for households with young children, elderly, or disabled family members meeting MOM criteria).
- Security bond: S$5,000 per FDW (typically insured via a bond insurance policy costing approximately S$75–S$100 per year).
- Medical insurance: Employers must provide medical insurance of at least S$15,000 per year and personal accident insurance for the FDW.
- Salary: Negotiated directly; as at 2026, typical monthly salaries range from S$650 to S$800 for a first-time FDW, with experienced helpers earning more.
- Agency fee: Placement agencies typically charge S$1,500–S$3,000 to source and match an FDW, plus transfer fees if switching from an existing employer.
The FDW employer must be above 21 years of age and the household must have a Singapore address. EP holders qualify as FDW employers from the date their EP is issued. For the full MOM FDW work permit framework, see the MOM Work Permit for Foreign Domestic Workers page.
Step 7: Banking
Opening a Singapore bank account is straightforward for EP holders. Major Singapore banks — DBS, UOB, OCBC, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Citi — accept EP holders for account opening on production of the Employment Pass (or In-Principle Approval letter plus passport), and a Singapore residential address (a tenancy agreement suffices). Many banks now offer streamlined digital account opening. Allow 3–7 business days for account activation from the date of application. Minimum initial deposit requirements vary from S$0 to S$3,000 depending on the account type and bank.
EP holders do not contribute to CPF, and CPF is not applicable until PR status is obtained. Upon obtaining PR, CPF contributions begin at graduated rates in the first two years. For a full explanation of how CPF works for new PRs and citizens, see the CPF for PRs and New Citizens 2026 guide.
Step 8: Driving Licence Conversion
Holders of valid foreign driving licences from most major countries can convert to a Singapore driving licence without sitting a driving test, provided the licence has been held for at least one year and the originating country is on the Traffic Police’s recognised list. The conversion process involves submitting the foreign licence to the Traffic Police and passing a Basic Theory Test (BTT) if the originating country is not on the direct-conversion list. Check the Singapore Traffic Police website for the current recognised country list before assuming direct conversion is available.
Singapore Relocation Budget: Family of Four (Indicative 2026 Figures)
| Category | Monthly Budget (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (3-bedroom condo, mid-tier location) | S$5,500–S$8,000 |
| International school (per child) | S$1,800–S$3,500 |
| FDW (levy + salary + insurance) | S$1,000–S$1,200 |
| Private health insurance (family) | S$500–S$1,500 |
| Groceries and household | S$1,000–S$2,000 |
| Transport (2 cars, or public transit + taxi) | S$400–S$2,500 |
| Dining and entertainment | S$1,000–S$2,500 |
| Total indicative monthly outlay | S$11,200–S$21,200 |
This table excludes one-off relocation costs (shipping, security deposits, school registration fees, FDW placement fees), which typically total S$15,000–S$40,000 in the first year depending on family size and lifestyle. The wide ranges reflect the significant cost differential between, say, a family renting in Ang Mo Kio with children in MOE schools versus a family in Orchard with children in a top international school.
Planning Your Singapore PR Application
Many families who come to Singapore on Employment Passes go on to apply for Permanent Residency, typically after 2–3 years of stable employment and community integration. PR opens up HDB rental eligibility, reduced international school fees (some schools offer lower fees for PRs), and eventually a pathway to citizenship. The Complete Singapore PR Pathway Guide 2026 explains the PTS scheme application process, ICA holistic assessment criteria, and what families should document and demonstrate to build a strong PR application.
How LBEA and RCS Can Help
Singapore Employment Agency (Little Big Employment Agency Pte Ltd, MOM Licence 19C9790) assists relocating professionals with Employment Pass and Dependant’s Pass applications, S Pass applications, and PR advisory. For the broader relocation package — company incorporation, corporate secretarial services, accounting set-up, and tax filings for the relocating business — Raffles Corporate Services provides full-service support for businesses and executives making Singapore their permanent base.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency