Nobody hands you a manual when you land at Changi. This is the order to do things in — and the mistakes most newcomers make in month one (paying an agent fee they did not need to is the classic).
Before you read. This is personal experience and opinion, not official advice. Rules change often — the “last checked” date is at the top of this page, and the links at the end take you to the official pages so you can verify the current position yourself.
Week 1 — the things that unlock everything else
- Collect your pass card. Book the appointment at MOM’s Employment Pass Services Centre the day your In-Principle Approval arrives — slots fill up. Book it at MOM’s appointment portal.
- Register for Singpass. Your FIN number plus the pass card. Almost every government and bank service runs on it. The Singpass registration guide covers FIN holders step by step.
- Get a SIM. Prepaid at any 7-Eleven; postpaid once you have an address. Data is cheap — expect S$10–20 a month. Singtel hi!, M1 and Simba are the usual prepaid choices; bring your passport to register it.
- Open a bank account. DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB. DBS/POSB approves instantly if you apply with Singpass; OCBC and UOB open accounts in their apps with your passport.
Week 2–3 — find a place to live
You will hear “HDB” and “condo” constantly. The short version:
| Option | Typical whole-unit rent | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| HDB 3-room (public flat) | S$2,800–3,600 | Value, real neighbourhoods, hawker centre downstairs |
| Condo 2-bed (outside centre) | S$4,000–5,500 | Pool, gym, security; more expats |
| Room in a shared flat | S$1,000–1,800 | First 6 months while you learn the areas |
Figures are typical asking rents for 2026; they move fast. The rule that saves newcomers the most money: for a two-year lease, the landlord pays the agent — you should not be paying a “co-broke” fee unless you hired your own agent.
Week 4 — the boring-but-important layer
- Register your address with MOM within 14 days of moving in.
- Get an EZ-Link / SimplyGo card, or simply tap your contactless bank card on the MRT gates.
- Find a neighbourhood GP and keep using the same one. A visit is about S$30–80 including medication. Skip the polyclinic: foreigners are not subsidised there, so it costs roughly double a GP and takes far longer — see healthcare for foreigners.
- If you plan to stay: start reading about PR. It is a long game — the strongest applications show roots, not just salary.