Moving to Singapore with a family involves substantially more planning than a solo professional relocation. The visa sequencing alone can confuse even experienced HR teams: the work pass holder must arrive first, register at a local address, and only then can Dependant’s Pass applications proceed. Get that order wrong and you risk delaying a school start by weeks.
This guide covers the six practical pillars of relocating to Singapore with your family: employment and dependant passes, schools, housing, healthcare, hiring a foreign domestic worker, and banking and CPF setup — with the specific 2026 rules and numbers you need.
Employment Pass and Dependant’s Passes: Getting the Sequence Right
Every Singapore family relocation starts with the work pass. The primary earner must obtain their Employment Pass — or, if eligible, a ONE Pass or S Pass — before any Dependant’s Pass applications can proceed.
Per the Ministry of Manpower, an EP holder earning at least SGD 6,000 per month (as at June 2026) may apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. EP holders earning below SGD 6,000 cannot sponsor dependants. For S Pass holders, the DP threshold is also SGD 6,000 per month. The sponsor’s pass must be valid for at least six months at the time of application.
Once the EP is approved and the pass holder has physically arrived in Singapore, the employer applies for DPs through the EP Online portal. Processing typically takes three to five working days. DP holders can live in Singapore but cannot work without a separate Letter of Consent. For the full framework — including Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for parents, in-laws and unmarried partners, and the Letter of Consent for working spouses — see the Dependant’s Pass and LTVP Singapore 2026 guide.
If you are also planning to incorporate a Singapore company as part of your relocation, the guide on incorporating a Singapore company while on an EP from Raffles Corporate Services covers the key rules and traps.
Singapore Schools for Expat Families: International vs Local MOE
The single most frequently asked question in any family relocation is: which school?
International Schools
International schools are the default for most expat families. They offer IB, British, American, Australian and other national curricula, and most have no nationality quotas. As at 2026, annual fees range from approximately SGD 20,000 for mid-market options to well above SGD 40,000 at premium tier schools such as Tanglin Trust, UWCSEA, Stamford American and Singapore American School. Per MOE, international schools set their own fees independently.
OWIS Singapore publishes 2026–27 annual tuition of approximately SGD 24,158 for Early Childhood 1 to Grade 6, and SGD 27,774 for Grades 7 to 12, excluding bus fees of SGD 4,300–5,300 depending on distance. Top-tier schools are substantially higher. Some popular schools have multi-year waitlists for certain year groups — applications should be submitted as soon as the relocation date is confirmed, ideally 12–24 months in advance.
MOE Government Schools
Local government schools are far more affordable but places for international students are limited. For non-citizen, non-ASEAN students, MOE secondary school fees were approximately SGD 2,520 per month as at 2026, under the revised fee schedule published in October 2023. Priority allocation always goes to Singapore Citizens, then PRs, then international students. Families planning a long-term stay who are targeting Singapore PR may find the local school pathway advantageous — it also accelerates children’s integration and language development.
Housing in Singapore: Renting as a Foreigner
Singapore’s rental market stabilised in 2026 after the post-pandemic surge. Average condo rents sit at approximately SGD 4,500 per month for a mid-market unit. Prime districts (Orchard, River Valley, Tanjong Pagar, Robertson Quay) run SGD 6,000–8,000 per month for a three-bedroom.
Foreigners can rent both HDB flats and private condominiums, but different rules apply:
- HDB flats: Subject to a non-citizen quota of approximately 8–11% per block. Three-room and larger units may be rented to foreigners with valid passes. Average HDB rent for a three-room flat is approximately SGD 3,200 per month in 2026. Check current HDB market rental rates via the HDB market rental enquiry portal.
- Private condominiums: No foreigner quotas apply. Minimum tenancy is three months; 12 months is standard. Average rents: SGD 3,200 for a one-bedroom to SGD 6,500+ for three-bedrooms in prime areas.
Upfront costs typically total two to three months’ rent: one month security deposit, up to half a month agent commission, and advance rent. Budget approximately SGD 150–300 per month for utilities.
Families considering purchasing property in Singapore should note that foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% on residential purchases as at 2026. The Singapore stamp duty guide for foreigners covers BSD, ABSD and the SSD in full.
Healthcare: What Every Relocating Family Must Know
Singapore has one of Asia’s best healthcare systems, but expat families are not covered by MediShield Life — Singapore’s mandatory national health insurance scheme. MediShield Life is exclusively for Citizens and Permanent Residents. EP and DP holders are not eligible for government healthcare subsidies and must rely on employer-provided group insurance or individually purchased private cover.
A single night in a private hospital costs SGD 500–2,000 before treatment. A major event — cardiac surgery, cancer treatment — can generate bills of SGD 50,000–200,000 or more. Before your first day in Singapore:
- Confirm your employer’s group medical insurance covers in-patient and out-patient treatment for DP-holding spouse and children.
- For any coverage gaps, purchase an Integrated Shield Plan or International Private Medical Insurance from a Singapore-licensed insurer.
- Note: from April 2026, the Minimum Annual Deductible for Integrated Shield Plan riders increased to SGD 6,000 per year, affecting co-payment structure.
Public hospitals in Singapore offer excellent care at lower costs than private facilities, and the subsidy structure means that Citizens and PRs pay a fraction of what non-residents pay. For licensed healthcare institutions, visit MOH HealthHub.
Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker in Singapore
Many families relocate to Singapore precisely because of the availability of affordable live-in domestic help. The Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) scheme is regulated by MOM.
Key 2026 figures from MOM’s FDW levy schedule:
- Standard levy: SGD 300 per month.
- Concessionary levy: SGD 60 per month — applicable if the household includes a child under 16, a person aged 67 or older, or a person with disabilities.
- FDWL tax relief: Discontinued from Year of Assessment 2025 onwards, per IRAS — the levy is now purely an employment cost.
To sponsor an FDW, you must be a Singapore Citizen, PR, or valid pass holder. You must provide housing and board, purchase a security bond, and obtain medical insurance for the worker. MOM’s requirements for first-time FDW employers include completing the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP). See also the Singapore foreign worker levy guide for full levy calculations by sector.
Banking, CPF and Essential Admin Setup
Banking: Most major Singapore banks — DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered — allow EP and DP holders to open accounts. DBS is generally the most EP-holder-friendly, with online opening available. OCBC and UOB typically require a branch visit. You will need your pass card (or IPA letter if the physical card has not yet been issued), passport, and Singapore address proof (tenancy agreement or utility bill).
CPF for EP holders: Employment Pass holders are not required to contribute to CPF (the Central Provident Fund) unless they subsequently obtain PR or citizenship. Once a family member becomes PR, CPF contributions begin immediately — with graduated contribution rates in years one and two of PR status. Read the CPF guide for PRs and new citizens if PR is on your horizon.
Driving licence: A valid foreign licence allows driving in Singapore for up to 12 months. Conversion to a Singapore Class 3/3A licence is recommended for longer-term residents. The 2026 Singapore driving licence conversion guide covers the Basic Theory Test requirement and the full process.
Relocating to Singapore with Family: Your Practical Sequencing Checklist
The order in which you complete the following steps matters — some cannot begin until earlier steps are finalised:
- Obtain Employment Pass approval.
- Travel to Singapore and register your local address.
- Apply for Dependant’s Passes for spouse and children (processing: 3–5 working days).
- Secure housing — arrange corporate housing for the first month if needed while searching.
- Enrol children in school (many international schools allow conditional acceptance before pass approval — apply early).
- Arrange private health insurance coverage for the whole family.
- Open bank accounts.
- Register to sponsor an FDW if needed (requires a confirmed local address).
- Arrange driving licence conversion within 12 months of arrival.
- Begin PR application planning from year two or three of continuous employment — the earlier you build the file, the stronger it becomes.
Start Your Singapore Relocation With the Right Support
Singapore’s appeal to relocating families — safety, world-class schools, efficient public infrastructure and a vibrant international community — is well-established. The administrative steps, however, require careful sequencing and an understanding of Singapore’s pass eligibility rules, which change regularly.
If you need expert guidance on Employment Passes, Dependant’s Passes, and the full application process, Singapore Employment Agency — operated by Little Big Employment Agency Pte Ltd (MOM Licence No. 19C9790) — provides licensed agency services for the full range of Singapore work pass and PR applications. For incorporation, corporate secretarial and business relocation support, visit Raffles Corporate Services.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency