Your guide on moving to Singapore from Canada

So, you want to move from Canada to Singapore? What an exciting opportunity! This transition comes with big to-do lists, so we have written this guide to support you. Highlighting everything from securing the right visa to managing your finances, including how Wise can help you hold and transfer Singapore dollars at the mid-market rate. Let's get into it!

Administrative essentials for moving to Singapore from Canada

Getting the right residence permit or visa according to your situation and purpose:

Most Canadians can enter Singapore without a visa for stays up to 30 days.¹ To stay longer, a valid residence permit is needed.

Common visas for Canadians moving to Singapore:

It is also important to consult a tax professional to update your investments and adjust for residency changes.

Things to take care of in Canada before moving to Singapore

• Inform banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and government agencies of your move.
• Close unnecessary Canadian bank accounts and transfer your CAD to SGD to ease the transition. A multicurrency account such as Wise can help you set up and manage your money in CAD and SGD effortlessly.
• Cancel utilities such as electricity, water, and internet.
• Contact Canada Post to redirect mail to Singapore.
• Obtain copies of your medical records from Canada, especially if undergoing treatment. Research healthcare options in Singapore to avoid disruptions in care. It is also important to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you have travelled to a country known to have risk of yellow fever transmission.¹⁰
• Ensure your pets have up-to-date vaccinations, registration, and comply with airline in-cabin travel policies.
• Cancel memberships and subscriptions in Canada, like phone plans and a gym membership.

Travel expenses for flying from Canada to Singapore

Disclaimer: These airline prices are subject to change based on airline, season, and booking time.

💡Pro Tip: Hold onto your hard-earned money! Avoid excessive cross-currency fees during your plan, move, and while living in Singapore with Wise. Wise lets you easily convert CAD to SDG, so you can spend like a local! We’ll look more into opening a Wise account later.

Preparing for your stay in Singapore before leaving Canada

The average salary in Singapore ranges between SGD 4,500 to SGD 6,000 monthly, depending on industry and role.

Estimation of monthly expenses in Singapore

Cost of living by city for 1 person⁵

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: 3,621.79 S$/monthly
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside City Centre: 2,628.04 S$/monthly
• Internet: 46.19 S$/monthly
• Mobile Phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data: 22.26 S$/monthly
• Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage for 85m2 Apartment: 208.78 S$/monthly

A single person's estimated monthly costs are 1,472.2S$, before rent.

Cost of living for a family⁵

• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre: 7,252.94 S$/monthly
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre: 4,986.17 S$/monthly

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 5,307.4S$, before rent.

Monthly School Fees in Singapore:

• Primary Schools:
  • Singapore Citizens: $136
  • Permanent Residents: $293–$3436
  • International Students (ASEAN): $559.17–$609.176
  • International Students (Non-ASEAN): $949.17–$1,049.176
• Secondary Schools:
  • Singapore Citizens: $256
  • Permanent Residents: $580–$7006
  • International Students (ASEAN): $991.80–$1,111.806
  • International Students (Non-ASEAN): $1,931.80–$2,211.806

For a 1,000 CAD transfer at a rate of 1 CAD = 0.9502 SGD, the recipient receives 950.17 SGD.

*Currency conversion rates with Wise as seen on December 12, 2024, at 06:10 a.m. EST ⁷

Culture differences to watch out for

Moving from Canada to Singapore involves some cultural differences that might surprise you:

• Singapore’s weather is hot and humid year-round, so you can swap jackets for umbrellas, for shade and tropical downpours.
• Singaporeans often dine at hawker centers—open-air food courts offering a variety of affordable local dishes.
• Unlike in Canada, tipping is rare, and prices typically include service charges.
• Public transport, transactions, and services are designed for maximum efficiency as life in Singapore moves fast.
• Littering, jaywalking, and chewing gum (except for medical use) can lead to hefty fines.
• The country has four official languages, Malay, English, Tamil, and Singaporean Mandarin.
• Public displays of affection or PDA are generally discouraged and may lead to fines or imprisonment. Holding hands and hugging are becoming more socially acceptable, but kissing in public is not.
• Keep noise to a minimum on public transport as loud conversations are generally frowned upon.
• Driving is on the left side of the road.

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Transportation in Singapore

• The Mass Rapid Transit or MRT system is the most convenient and affordable way to travel around the city. The six lines are each marked by a different color, so navigating it is pretty simple for folks familiar with city metros.
• The Smaller Light Rail Transit or LRT systems mostly serve residential and suburban areas.
• The public bus network is an affordable and convenient transport method. While peak-hour traffic slows things down, buses run, on average, every 10 - 20 minutes.
• Shared bicycles are a cheap and eco-friendly alternative for short trips. While cycling has become more popular in Singapore, many roads aren't designed for cyclists, which can be challenging.
• Taxis are pricier than public transport but can be cost-effective for small groups, especially during off-peak hours. Taxi fares are distance-based, but additional surcharges can apply.
• Owning a car in Singapore is often unnecessary, but car-sharing services are available if you need one. Just remember, vehicles in Singapore drive on the left side of the road!

The Healthcare System In Singapore

Singapore’s healthcare system operates under a structured framework, consisting of the following:

1. MediShield Life: A mandatory universal basic health insurance for citizens and permanent residents, providing lifelong coverage for large hospital bills and select outpatient treatments.
2. MediSave: A national medical savings scheme where working citizens and permanent residents contribute 8%-10.5% of their salary to tax-exempt, interest-bearing accounts.
3. MediFund: A government safety net for low-income individuals unable to pay out-of-pocket expenses even with MediSave.

If you're working in Singapore, your employer may increase health insurance as part of your benefit package, which can vary. If you prefer private insurance, several comprehensive plans are available, such as:

• AIA HealthShield Gold
• Raffles Elite Care
• Great Eastern SupremeHealth

Medical expenses in Singapore

Singapore’s healthcare uses a multi-payer system, including subsidies for citizens and higher fees for private patients.

• Subsidized for citizens: Up to SGD 39
• Subsidized for permanent residents: Up to SGD 59
• For private patients: SGD 114.49–146.59 (varies by specialist and experience)

Final Thoughts On Moving To Singapore From Canada

Life is short—why not make the move and experience something new? With Wise, manage your finances in multiple currencies at mid-market rates, allowing you to focus on your new life without worrying about fees. Get started with Wise today!

Sources:

1. Travel.gc.ca
2. Key facts on Employment Pass - Singapore
3. Google flights
4. Skyscanner.ca
5. Cost of Living in Singapore
6. Types of schools - Singapore
7. Wise Conversion
8. Lonely Planet: How to use public transportation to get around in Singapore
9. Commonwealth Fund
10. Countries at risk of yellow fever transmisison