English
Languages
Malay, Mandarin, Tamil (Malay is the national language)
Country guide · Singapore
Living and working in Singapore
A guide for international candidates
Unless you're a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, you'll need a work pass. Professionals usually get an Employment Pass, which needs a salary of at least S$5,600 a month and a points assessment called COMPASS. Mid-skilled roles use the S Pass from S$3,300. Thresholds go up on 1 January 2027.
Free for candidates. Join nearly 3,000 candidates and growing daily.
Singapore dollar
Currency
S$, SGD
4.24 million
Residents
Citizens and permanent residents (June 2026)
999
Emergency
Police, 995 ambulance and fire
6.21 million
Total population incl. foreigners
June 2026
SST
Time zone
Singapore Standard Time, UTC+8
Last checked 12 October 2026. Estimates are labelled.
Where the jobs are
All regions lets you pick a place and see rent, jobs and the sectors in this guide. Choose a sector to see that industry in every place.
Cyan is the region you picked. Navy is everywhere else.
Region
central
S$3,800 (S$3,350 to S$4,600, 8 towns)
- Rent a month
- $3,800
- Vs regions in this guide
- +12%
- Population
- 993k
Main places
- Toa Payoh
- Bukit Merah
- Geylang
- Kallang
Job links open all Singapore roles for now. Rent compared with the other regions in this guide.
View the map as a table
| Key | Residents, June 2026 | Sectors above average | HDB 4-room median rent a month, Q2 2026 | Largest planning areas (c) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| central | 993,340 | Estimate: national proxy | S$3,800 (S$3,350 to S$4,600, 8 towns) | Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, Geylang, Kallang |
| east | 716,070 | Estimate: national proxy | S$3,400 (S$3,350 to S$3,500, 3 towns) | Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris, Changi |
| north | 605,080 | Estimate: national proxy | S$3,100 (S$3,100 to S$3,180, 3 towns) | Woodlands, Yishun, Sembawang, Mandai |
| north-east | 974,300 | Estimate: national proxy | S$3,300 (S$3,200 to S$3,500, 5 towns) | Sengkang, Hougang, Punggol, Ang Mo Kio |
| west | 951,640 | Estimate: national proxy | S$3,350 (S$3,000 to S$3,900, 6 towns) | Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang |
Cities
Pay, rent and the share of pay that rent takes. Estimates stay labelled.
Singapore
Central Area
- Rent
- S$4
- Pay
- S$5
- Rent share
- Not listed
26.8C to 28.6C monthly mean, 2,113 mm rain on 171 days a year (MSS Changi 1991-2020, sg.climate)
See jobs in Central AreaSingapore
Tampines
- Rent
- S$3
- Pay
- as above
- Rent share
- Not listed
as above
See jobs in TampinesSingapore
Jurong East
- Rent
- S$3
- Pay
- as above
- Rent share
- Not listed
as above
See jobs in Jurong EastTools
Step 1 of 2
Visa route finder
A route to read about, not a decision on your application. Figures are the ones in this guide.
Rent and pay
The pay and rent figures already in this guide. This is not a tax calculation.
Rent a month in Central Area
S$4
- Pay
- S$5
- Rent share of pay
- Not listed
Take-home pay
IRAS provides the income tax calculator for the current year of assessment as a spreadsheet. Tax is worked out on the previous year's income.
Open the IRAS calculatorsVisa routes to read about
These describe the route. They do not say whether you qualify.
Employment Pass (EP)
Professionals, managers and executives. Minimum S$5,600 a month (S$6,200 financial services), higher with age, and pass COMPASS points.
S Pass
Mid-skilled roles. Minimum S$3,300 (S$3,800 financial services), rising to S$3,600 (S$4,000) from 1 January 2027.
ONE Pass
Top talent earning at least S$30,000 a month, or with outstanding achievements; lets you work for several companies.
Personalised Employment Pass
Fixed monthly salary at least S$22,500; not tied to one employer.
EntrePass
Founders of a venture-backed or innovative-tech private limited company you own at least 30% of.
Tech.Pass
S$22,500 a month plus 5 years in a leading tech role; closes to new and renewal applications on 28 January 2027 (EDB).
Work Permit
For lower-wage sectors (construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, services, domestic work); source countries depend on the sector, e.g. Malaysia, PRC, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan for services.
Little-known facts
Daily life
- Good to knowHDB rents from v2-hero-facts; most foreigners rent HDB flats or private condos.
- Good to knowPublic transport by MRT and bus (adult card fares from S$1.28, distance-based).
- Good to knowHot and humid all year: monthly means 26.8C to 28.6C and 2,113 mm of rain on 171 days a year (MSS).
Family, school and pets
- SchoolInternational pupils need a Student's Pass for government schools, and places depend on vacancies (MOE). 2026 fees for non-ASEAN international pupils: S$1,035 a month primary, S$2,190 secondary.
- SchoolMany families use international schools.
From job offer to settled in
1
Your employer applies for the pass
You get an in-principle approval (IPA) letter
2
Enter Singapore
With the IPA and complete the pass issuance online
3
Register fingerprints and photo at the MOM Employment Pass Services Centre if asked
4
Collect your pass card
Your FIN is on it
5
Open a bank account and set up Singpass
6
Update your address
With MOM through EP eService within 5 days of moving
Questions
Do I need a job offer first?
Yes for EP and S Pass; your employer applies.
What salary do I need for an Employment Pass?
At least S$5,600 a month, more with age and in financial services, rising on 1 January 2027.
Can my family come?
EP and S Pass holders earning at least S$6,000 a month can apply for Dependant's Passes for a spouse and unmarried children under 21.
Do I pay CPF?
No, only citizens and permanent residents contribute.
What is COMPASS?
A points framework that scores salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and local hiring at the company.
Does every employer on Global Sponsor Hub sponsor visas?
No. Each listing shows the support the employer or agency has stated, such as visa sponsorship or relocation support. Confirm it with the employer before you apply.
Job offers on chat apps that ask for fees: under the Employment Agencies Act agents can't charge you more than 1 month's salary per year of your pass or contract, and never more than 2 months' salary.
Ready to look at Singapore roles?
Create your free profile and choose whether employers and agencies can find you.