Landing in Singapore: Process and Timeline, Ten Steps from Choosing a Route to Your First Full Year

Timeline at a glance

Taking the month the main applicant enters Singapore as T, a typical timeline looks like this; each step is covered in detail below.

The criteria for each residency route are set out in Residency routes to Singapore. Problems arise most often at the hand-offs: dependants' passes change with the main pass, address documents and bank accounts must be sequenced to suit the bank, the range of schools should be settled before the rental area, and the source of medical cover differs before and after obtaining PR.

Phase one: before landing (T-12 to T months)

1. Step 1: Take stock of the family and choose a residency route

   What to do: map out family members, the main applicant's occupation and business, the asset structure, the children's school stages, whether parents will live with you and each member's tax residence, and choose a residency route on that basis.

   • Documents: list of family members and their identity documents, education and employment history, company financial statements and shareholding documents (for prospective GIP applicants), list of existing policies and accounts.
   • Timing: usually starts 6–12 months before entry; the GIP takes about 12 months to process, so start earlier.
   • Who: the family's main decision-maker, with an immigration lawyer and tax adviser where needed.
   • Common sticking points: looking only at the main applicant's thresholds and overlooking dependants' criteria, for example an EP holder needs a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 to bring parents (MOM); or overlooking a son's National Service obligations after obtaining PR, see Maintaining PR.

2. Step 2: Prepare, translate and notarise documents

   What to do: prepare proof of identity, marriage, family relationships, education and business for the chosen route, and have them translated and notarised.

   • Documents: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce and custody documents (where applicable), education certificates; for the GIP, also audited financial statements, shareholding evidence and a business plan.
   • Timing: depends on how quickly documents can be issued, translated and notarised; cross-border issuance and notarisation often take longer than expected, so allow plenty of time.
   • Who: applicants compile the documents themselves; translation and notarisation are handled by a notary.
   • Common sticking points: ICA requires documents not in English to come with an official translation. For the GIP, English translations of foreign-language documents must be notarised, with the notarisation dated within one year before submission, and for applications based on a mainland Chinese company, the audited accounts must be issued by one of the top 50 accounting firms ranked by the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (EDB GIP Factsheet, 2025-05-05).

3. Step 3: Submit the residency application

   What to do: submit the application to the relevant authority for your route, and plan dependants' passes alongside it.

   Route	Submitted by	Officially indicated processing time
   EP	The employer or an employment agent appointed by the employer	Online applications generally processed or updated within 10 working days; most applications from overseas companies without a Singapore entity within 6 weeks
   PR (ICA route)	The applicant	Generally within 6 months for complete applications; some cases take longer
   GIP	The applicant submits to EDB and pays a non-refundable application fee of S$20,000	About 12 months, subject to passing due diligence

   • Documents: those prepared in step 2, plus each authority's application forms (EP application fee S$105; PR application fee S$100, non-refundable).
   • Who: see the table above; applicants must provide accurate information and supply any further documents requested.
   • Common sticking points: the EP requires the qualifying salary and COMPASS assessment, and new applications from 1 January 2027 face a higher qualifying salary (MOM, 2026-04-28). Every route is subject to a holistic assessment by the relevant authority, and none guarantees approval.

4. Step 4: Approval, finalising status and entry

   What to do: after approval, complete pass issuance or finalisation formalities as instructed, have dependants' passes issued at the same time, and arrange entry.

   • Documents: in-principle approval letter or approval letter, passport, photographs and a medical examination if required. The EP issuance fee is S$225 per pass (MOM); at PR finalisation, the fees are S$20 for the entry permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit and S$50 for the identity card (ICA).
   • Timing: within the deadline stated in the approval letter. For the GIP, the investment must be made within 6 months of Approval-in-Principle, and PR must be finalised within 12 months of the date of Final Approval (EDB).
   • Who: the main applicant, the employer or its agent, with dependants processed alongside.
   • Common sticking points: missing the finalisation deadline; funds from mainland China must comply with foreign-exchange and outbound investment rules, which should be planned in advance.

Phase two: the first three months (T to T+3 months)

1. Step 5: Temporary accommodation, Singpass, mobile number and address documents

   What to do: move into temporary accommodation, get a local mobile number, register for Singpass (the government digital identity) and gather address documents that can be used to open accounts and rent.

   • Documents: passport, pass card or PR identity card, Foreign Identification Number (FIN).
   • Timing: as soon as possible after entry; bank accounts, rentals and government services will often require these.
   • Who: the individual.
   • Common sticking points: the Singpass Registration Guide states that citizens, PRs and FIN holders aged 15 and above can register. Private homes may not be rented out on a daily or weekly basis (URA), so temporary accommodation should be with a lawfully operating accommodation provider.

2. Step 6: Open a personal bank account

   What to do: open a savings or current account in your own name for salary, rent, school fees, tax and premiums.

   • Documents: passport, pass or PR identity card, proof of address, employment or business information, a source-of-funds explanation, a CRS tax-residence self-certification and tax identification number.
   • Timing: depends on the bank's process and the depth of due diligence; as advised by the bank.
   • Who: the individual applies to the bank.
   • Common sticking points: insufficient address documents; an incomplete explanation of how funds were built up; stating "Singapore tax resident" merely because one holds a pass. Knowingly giving false tax-residence information can lead to a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both (IRAS, 2021-10-19). See Opening a bank account.

3. Step 7: Rent or assess buying a home

   What to do: sign a long-term lease; families who already hold PR or have long-term plans can assess buying.

   • Documents: passport, pass, tenancy agreement; source-of-funds documents for a purchase.
   • Timing: most families view homes while in temporary accommodation and sign within a few months of landing.
   • Who: the individual; a lawyer can review a complex tenancy agreement.
   • Common sticking points: private homes have a minimum stay of 3 consecutive months (URA); stamp duty is payable on tenancy agreements (IRAS); foreigners buying any residential property pay 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty. See Housing when you land.

4. Step 8: School admission for children

   What to do: choose a government school or an international school and apply for admission.

   • Documents: child's passport, birth certificate, past school reports, Dependant's Pass or Student's Pass documents.
   • Timing: the AEIS written test is held each September (1–3 September in 2026), with successful candidates entering school the following January. S-AEIS registration opens in early January of the following year, and successful candidates start in April or May (MOE, 2026-07-17).
   • Who: parents apply to the school or MOE.
   • Common sticking points: admission is not guaranteed and depends on test performance and places available (MOE). Children on a DP or LTVP do not need a separate Student's Pass, but must switch to one if their pass expires or is cancelled (ICA). See Schooling.

Phase three: from three months to the first full year (T+3 to T+12 months)

1. Step 9: Medical insurance and family protection

   What to do: confirm where each family member's medical cover comes from and add private medical insurance; if you employ a domestic helper, take out the statutory insurance; review life cover, critical illness cover and beneficiary nominations.

   • Documents: identity documents, health disclosure information, existing policies.
   • Timing: as early as possible after landing, especially medical insurance.
   • Who: the individual with an insurer or licensed financial adviser; helper insurance is arranged by the employer.
   • Common sticking points: MediShield Life covers citizens and PRs (MOH), so families on passes must arrange medical insurance themselves. A helper's medical insurance must have an annual claim limit of at least S$60,000 and the personal accident cover a sum assured of at least S$60,000 (MOM, 2026-09-18). Full and accurate disclosure is required when applying for insurance. See Medical insurance and Building an insurance portfolio.

2. Step 10: Confirm tax residence, file the first return and set up annual upkeep

   What to do: determine from days of presence and employment whether you are a Singapore tax resident for the year of arrival and file your first tax return; resident individuals of mainland China also assess their reporting obligations there; set up an annual compliance calendar.

   • Documents: entry and exit records, employment contract and payslips, records of overseas income, copies of CRS self-certifications.
   • Timing: Singapore taxes the previous calendar year's income, with returns filed from 1 March to 18 April of the following year and Notices of Assessment generally issued from the end of April to the end of September (IRAS). Resident individuals of mainland China who receive foreign-sourced income must file and pay tax from 1 March to 30 June of the following year (MOF and STA Announcement No. 3 of 2020).
   • Who: the individual or a tax adviser.
   • Common sticking points: holding a pass does not make you a tax resident; the test is days of presence and employment (IRAS). It is possible to meet the residence criteria of both jurisdictions in the same year. PR family members must confirm their Re-Entry Permit is valid before leaving Singapore. See Tax residence in your first year and the annual compliance calendar.

   This guide covers general rules in Singapore and mainland China. For personal judgements on tax, foreign exchange and CRS, seek professional advice in the relevant jurisdiction. This site does not file any applications and does not promise approval outcomes. To plan a landing timeline around your family's circumstances, you can register an enquiry through the contact details on this site.