Your first 30 days in Singapore as an expat: the setup checklist

The first month after landing is a blur of forms, queues and passwords. Most of it is straightforward once you know the order, because several things depend on others being done first.

We settle expats into homes in Singapore, so we see how this first month goes. Here is the whole checklist in order, and where the home part fits.

Week one: the foundations

Your work pass. Complete whatever formalities your pass requires once you arrive. Your employer or their relocation provider usually guides you through this. The physical card arrives afterwards, and a surprising number of other steps wait on it, so don't delay.

A local phone number. A prepaid SIM from the airport or any convenience store gets you started. Many services send verification codes by SMS, so you'll want a local number early. Switch to a postpaid plan later if you prefer.

Getting around. Most bank cards with contactless payment work directly on MRT trains and public buses. You don't need a separate transport card unless you want one.

Weeks one to two: identity and money

Singpass. Singapore's digital identity. Once your pass is issued, register for it. It unlocks government services and speeds up many private ones, since banks, telcos and utilities can pull your details automatically.

A bank account. Most banks need your pass details. Some can open an account earlier with your approval letter. Having a local account makes paying rent, bills and taxes far simpler.

Weeks two to four: your home

This is the part we do with our clients, so here is how we handle each step.

The lease. If you're in temporary accommodation, this is usually when the search happens. Read the tenancy agreement properly before signing, especially the diplomatic clause if you're on a work pass. We read the agreement with our clients before they sign, and we start with that clause.

Stamp duty. Your tenancy agreement must be stamped with IRAS, usually within 14 days of signing. We remind you and check it's done, so it doesn't slip past in a busy first month.

The handover inspection. Before you move anything in, record the condition of every room and send the defect list to the landlord in writing. This protects your deposit more than anything else you'll do. For our clients, our own inspection company runs it, logged item by item and sent to the landlord in writing.

Utilities and internet. Open your utilities account and book internet installation early. Installation slots can take a week or more. We flag this early, so you're not without internet in your first week at home.

Health and insurance

Check exactly what your employer's medical insurance covers and how claims work. Find a general practitioner near home before you need one. Healthcare here is excellent but can be expensive without the right cover.

Driving

If you plan to drive, check how long your foreign licence remains valid here and when you'll need to convert it. The rules depend on your situation, so confirm with the Traffic Police early rather than finding out at a roadblock.

Children

Confirm school enrolment, uniforms, and the school bus pick-up time from your new address. Bus schedules can take a while to finalise.

Keep a folder

Keep digital copies of your passport, pass, approval letter, tenancy agreement, stamp certificate and handover inspection report in one place. You'll be asked for them repeatedly. We give our clients a copy of the tenancy agreement and the handover inspection report, so those two are always easy to find.

Why the order matters more than the list

Most of these tasks are small. The trouble is that they depend on each other. Wait on the pass and Singpass waits, then the bank waits. Book internet late and your first week at home is without it.

Most people also do all of this while settling a job, a family and a new city. It is easy to do the right thing in the wrong order, and not notice until something is stuck.

The short version

Pass, phone and transport first. Singpass and banking next. Then the lease, stamp duty, handover inspection, utilities and internet. Do them in that order and most of the friction disappears.

The home part is where we come in. See how it works on the Doors page, from the search through to the move-out inspection.

Doors by The Yellow Door helps expats find and settle into homes in Singapore, from the search through to the move-out inspection. This article is general information and not legal advice. Rules and timings change and should be confirmed with the relevant authority for your situation.