Settling in Singapore from China is less about one big move and more about a string of small tasks done in the right order over your first weeks. The good news is that almost everything can be arranged quickly, most services have Mandarin support, and a large mainland community has already walked the same path. This guide is a general orientation, not professional legal, tax or medical advice, so always confirm current rules with the official source named in each section. Think of it as a map of what to do first, where to go, and roughly when each piece falls into place.
Week One: Pass, Singpass and a Phone Number
Your legal status underpins everything else, so start there. If you arrived on an Employment Pass, S Pass, Student Pass, Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass, your card is issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) after your in-principle approval is finalised. Your employer or the institution usually guides you through the medical check and card collection. Keep the approval letter and your passport handy, because you will be asked for your Foreign Identification Number (FIN) constantly.
Once you have your FIN, set up Singpass, the national digital identity that unlocks government services, tax, healthcare records and many private apps. Register through the official Singpass website or app and complete identity verification. Alongside this, buy a local SIM. The three main mobile operators are Singtel, StarHub and M1, and there are budget sub-brands too. A prepaid SIM gets you a Singapore number the same day, which you need for two-factor logins, bank verification and delivery services. Sort the number early, because almost every later step depends on it.
Opening a Bank Account
With your pass, passport and proof of a local address, you can open a bank account. The main local banks are DBS, OCBC and UOB, and international banks such as Standard Chartered and HSBC also operate here. Many newcomers open an account online through a bank app once their Singpass is ready, though some passes or situations still need a branch visit. A local account gives you a debit card, PayNow (instant transfers linked to your mobile or FIN) and the ability to receive your salary. Bring more documents than you think you need, and ask your employer whether they have a preferred bank for payroll.
Finding a Home
Most newcomers rent first. You can rent a whole flat or condominium unit, or a single room, and listings sit on property portals such as PropertyGuru and 99.co. A licensed property agent, many of whom speak Mandarin, can shorten the search and handle the paperwork. Standard leases run one or two years, usually with a deposit of one to two months and a stamp duty payable to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Check that the unit is legal to rent (public HDB flats have occupancy rules the Housing and Development Board sets), confirm what is included, and photograph the condition on move-in day.
Transport, Healthcare and Daily Life
Singapore’s public transport is excellent and usually cheaper than owning a car. Tap in with a contactless bank card, or use an EZ-Link or the SimplyGo system on trains and buses. The TransitLink and official transport apps help with routes and fares. For healthcare, the system splits into public polyclinics and hospitals, and private GPs and clinics. You pay out of pocket or through insurance for many services, so ask your employer what medical coverage your pass includes and keep receipts. For anything urgent, hospital accident and emergency departments are open around the clock.
Schooling for Children
If you have children, plan school early because places are limited. Foreign children can apply to government and government-aided schools, usually subject to the Ministry of Education (MOE) placement exercise and available vacancies, or you can choose an international school that follows a different curriculum. International schools are quicker to enter but cost considerably more. Whichever route you pick, gather your child’s birth certificate, immunisation records and past school reports early, and check the MOE website for the current application windows.
The Emotional Side of Moving
Practical tasks are only half of settling in. The first month can feel disorienting even when everything technically works, and that is normal. The weather is hot and humid year round, the pace is fast, and small differences in food, humour and workplace culture add up. Give yourself permission to feel unsettled for a while. Two things help most: build a routine quickly, and reach out to people. Mandarin is widely spoken, clan and community associations welcome newcomers, and neighbourhood WeChat groups share everything from furniture to job leads. You do not have to figure it all out alone.
A Realistic Timeline
Everyone moves at a different speed, but a rough shape helps you plan and stops you panicking when something takes longer than expected.
First-Month Checklist
| Task | When | Where to go | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect pass card | Days 1 to 7 | ICA, via employer | Bring passport and approval letter |
| Set up Singpass | Week 1 | Singpass app or website | Needed for most later steps |
| Buy local SIM | Week 1 | Singtel, StarHub or M1 | Prepaid works same day |
| Open bank account | Weeks 1 to 2 | DBS, OCBC, UOB or others | Bring pass, passport, address proof |
| Confirm home and lease | Weeks 1 to 3 | Property portal or agent | Stamp the lease with IRAS |
| Set up transport payment | Week 2 | SimplyGo or EZ-Link | Or tap a contactless card |
| Register healthcare and insurance | Weeks 2 to 4 | Polyclinic, employer scheme | Check what your pass covers |
| Arrange schooling | As early as possible | MOE or international school | Places fill quickly |
| Find your community | Ongoing | Associations, WeChat groups | Start before you feel ready |
Where to Go for Each Task
The golden rule is to use the official source and verify current details there, because rules and fees change. ICA handles passes and cards, Singpass handles digital identity, IRAS handles tax and lease stamping, HDB handles public housing rules, MOE handles schooling, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) handles work pass conditions. For the personal side, a Mandarin-speaking agent, a clan association or a neighbourhood group will often answer the questions no website covers. Take the tasks one at a time, in order, and within a couple of months the city stops feeling foreign and starts feeling like home.
Explore more: Moving to Singapore from China · Singpass Setup for Chinese Newcomers · Opening a Bank Account as a Chinese National