Visa Options for Americans Moving to Singapore (2026)
Here's the thing to know up front: Singapore has no retirement visa and no digital nomad visa. US citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, but living here means getting a work pass. The main one is the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals; mid-skilled roles use the S Pass; top earners get the ONE Pass or Personalised Employment Pass (PEP); and founders use the EntrePass. A pension, savings, or purely remote income won't qualify you for residence.
- Employment Pass floor rises on 1 Jan 2027. Today the EP minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600/mo (rising with age to S$10,700 at 45+); financial services S$6,200–S$11,800. From 1 January 2027 (new applications) it climbs to S$6,000 general / S$6,600 financial — budget for it if you're applying in 2026.
- S Pass salary floor raised (1 Sep 2025). Now S$3,300/mo (general) / S$3,800 (financial), rising with age, with another increase due 1 Jan 2027.
- US property-tax break stands. Foreigners pay 60% ABSD on residential property, but under the US–Singapore FTA US citizens are taxed like Singapore citizens — 0% ABSD on a first home. (See Housing below.)
- COMPASS in full force. Employment Pass candidates must score 40 points on the COMPASS framework unless they earn at least S$22,500/mo.
- Low, simple taxes. Resident income tax tops out at 24% (only above S$1,000,000), there's no capital gains tax, and foreign-sourced income is generally exempt — but there's no US–Singapore tax treaty (see Taxes).
| Work Pass | Best For | Key Requirement (2026) | Leads to PR? | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) Professionals | Managers, executives, professionals | From S$5,600/mo (more with age) + pass COMPASS; employer sponsors | Yes (PTS) | Up to 2 yr, then 3 yr |
| S Pass Mid-skilled | Technicians, mid-level skilled roles | From S$3,300/mo; employer levy + quota | Pathway | Up to 2 yr |
| ONE Pass Top talent | Very high earners / exceptional talent | S$30,000/mo fixed (or outstanding achievement) | Yes | 5 yr, renewable |
| Personalised EP (PEP) High earner | High earners not tied to one employer | Apply at S$22,500/mo; keep S$270k/yr | Pathway | 3 yr, non-renewable |
| EntrePass Founders | Entrepreneurs starting a company | Innovative / venture-backed Singapore business | Pathway | 1–2 yr, renewable |
| Visit Pass (no work) Short stay | Tourism, scouting, business trips | Visa-free; free SG Arrival Card online | No | Up to 90 days |
Requirements verified June 2026 against the Ministry of Manpower (mom.gov.sg) work-pass eligibility pages and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ica.gov.sg). Salary floors are set in Singapore dollars (S$); USD figures convert at ~S$1.34/US$1 (June 2026) and move with the exchange rate. EP and S Pass floors rise with the candidate's age and again on 1 January 2027. Confirm current figures with MOM before applying.
Unlike Thailand, Malaysia, or the Philippines, Singapore has neither a retirement visa nor a digital nomad visa — a pension, savings, or remote income alone won't get you residence. (In this it's like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam.) Residence is built on employment: a job (EP / S Pass), top-talent earnings (ONE Pass / PEP), or your own company (EntrePass). Very wealthy retirees occasionally use the Global Investor Programme (a separate, high-threshold route to PR), but there's no simple income-based retiree visa.
1. Employment Pass (EP) — the main route
For most Americans, the Employment Pass is the route. You need a Singapore employer to sponsor you, a qualifying salary that starts at S$5,600/mo and rises with age (up to S$10,700 at 45+; financial services higher), and enough points to pass COMPASS — Singapore's transparent points test scoring salary, qualifications, and how your hire complements the local workforce. You need 40 points, and candidates earning S$22,500/mo or more are exempt from COMPASS. The EP is first issued for up to two years, then renewable for three, and after about six months it opens a path to permanent residence.
2. S Pass — mid-skilled roles
The S Pass covers mid-level skilled staff (technicians and similar) who don't meet EP thresholds. The salary floor is lower — from S$3,300/mo (S$3,800 in financial services), rising with age — but employers face a monthly levy and a quota (the Dependency Ratio Ceiling) on how many S Pass holders they can hire, so sponsorship is more constrained than the EP.
3. ONE Pass & Personalised EP — for high earners
If you're a top earner, two passes give you flexibility an ordinary EP doesn't. The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass is for people earning a fixed S$30,000/mo (about US$22,400) — or with outstanding achievement — and it's valid five years, renewable, not tied to one employer, and lets you work for or start multiple companies. The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) suits high earners who want to change jobs freely: you apply at a fixed S$22,500/mo, it's valid three years (non-renewable), and you must keep earning at least S$270,000/yr to hold it.
4. EntrePass — for founders
Starting a business? The EntrePass is for entrepreneurs launching a venture-backed or innovative Singapore company (the firm must meet criteria around funding, intellectual property, or accelerator backing). It's renewable as your business hits milestones. Many founders instead set up the company and put themselves on an Employment Pass — a corporate-services firm can advise which fits.
Job offer → Employment Pass (or S Pass if mid-skilled). Earning S$30k+/mo → ONE Pass. Want to switch jobs freely → PEP. Founding a company → EntrePass. Working remotely → you'd still need an EP via a Singapore entity (no DNV). Build your personalized document list with our visa checklist generator.
Cost of Living in Singapore for Americans (2026)
Be honest with yourself here: Singapore is one of the most expensive cities on earth — routinely near the top of global rankings alongside New York, Zurich, and Hong Kong. The good news is that an EP-level salary is set to match it, and some things are genuinely cheap: hawker-centre meals (S$4–7), public transport, and healthcare basics. What hurts is housing, owning a car, alcohol, and international schools. Figures below compare Singapore with US benchmarks (in USD; you pay in S$).
| Expense (monthly) | US average | New York | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR flat — central area | $1,700 | $3,900 | $3,000–4,100 |
| 1BR flat — outside centre | $1,400 | $2,900 | $2,100–3,000 |
| Groceries (1 person) | $400 | $500 | $350–550 |
| Meal — hawker / mid-range | $15–25 | $25–40 | $4–7 / $18–30 |
| Utilities + internet | $250 | $280 | $200–300 |
| Transit (MRT/bus, monthly) | $70 | $132 | $70–100 |
| Comfortable single budget | ~$3,000 | ~$4,400+ | ~$3,500–5,500 |
Estimates for June 2026 in US dollars (you pay in S$, ~S$1.34/US$1). Prime expat areas (Orchard, River Valley, Tiong Bahru, the East Coast) cost more; HDB-area rentals and the suburbs less. Compare your US city on our cost of living calculator.
If you're picturing a car, reset that expectation. To own one in Singapore you first buy a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) — a 10-year right to own a vehicle that often costs S$90,000–110,000 on its own, before the car — so a modest sedan can run well over US$100,000 all-in. The flip side: the MRT and buses are clean, cheap, and cover the whole island, plus Grab for the rest. Almost all expats go car-free, and it's no hardship.
Banking in Singapore as an American
Singapore is a global financial hub, so banking is smooth and English-language. The big three local banks — DBS, OCBC, and UOB — plus international names like Standard Chartered and HSBC, all have polished apps, instant PayNow transfers, and multi-currency accounts. The one practical step: you'll usually open your account after your work pass is issued, using your passport, pass, and proof of address.
You can open a DBS, OCBC, or UOB account once you have your work pass and FIN (Foreign Identification Number) and an address — often same-day in branch, or online via Singpass, the national digital ID. PayNow lets you send money by phone number or NRIC/FIN instantly. Keep your US accounts open for Social Security, US cards, and IRS refunds, and tell your US bank you're moving abroad.
Recommended Sequence
- Before departure — open Wise to convert dollars to Singapore dollars at the real mid-market rate and move your initial funds cheaply.
- Keep your US accounts open for Social Security deposits, US credit cards, and IRS refunds.
- On arrival — get your pass and FIN, register for Singpass, then open a DBS/OCBC/UOB account.
- Manage the FX — move money when the rate is favorable and use Wise to avoid bank conversion mark-ups.
Singapore and the US have a FATCA agreement, so Singapore banks collect your US Social Security number / TIN and report account details to the IRS. On the US side, your Singapore balances count toward your FBAR ($10,000 aggregate across all foreign accounts) and possibly Form 8938 thresholds (see Taxes below). Provide the information; it's routine.
US Taxes & Singapore's Income Tax for Americans
Singapore's tax system is a big part of its appeal, but the US side has a sharp catch. You become a tax resident once you spend 183 days or more in Singapore in a calendar year. Residents are taxed on a progressive scale; non-residents pay a flat 15% on employment income (or resident rates, whichever is higher).
Resident income tax runs from 0% to a top rate of 24% — and that 24% only bites above S$1,000,000 of chargeable income; most expats sit far lower. There is no capital gains tax and no inheritance/estate tax, and foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by an individual is generally exempt. For many Americans the effective Singapore tax bill is strikingly low.
The US and Singapore have no income tax treaty (only a narrow shipping/aircraft agreement). That means no treaty protections against double taxation: you lean on the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (earned income, up to $130,000 for 2025 / $132,900 for 2026) and the Foreign Tax Credit for Singapore tax paid. Because Singapore's rates are low, the credit often doesn't fully wipe out US tax on higher incomes — and your US Social Security stays US-taxable.
There's also no US–Singapore totalization agreement (like Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and unlike Japan or Korea). Singapore's CPF doesn't apply to foreigners on work passes, so a self-employed American — a freelancer or remote business owner — owes US self-employment tax of 15.3% on net profit, with no offsetting Singapore system. Budget for it.
US Filing Obligations You Keep
| Requirement | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1040 | All US citizens | File every year on worldwide income. Automatic 2-month expat extension to 15 June. |
| FEIE (Form 2555) | Up to $130,000 (2025) | Excludes foreign earned income (salary/self-employment) — not pensions or investment income. |
| Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) | Any Singapore tax paid | Credits Singapore income tax against US tax — your main double-tax relief without a treaty. |
| FBAR (FinCEN 114) | Foreign accounts > $10,000 aggregate | Your Singapore bank accounts count toward the limit. |
| Form 8938 (FATCA) | > $200,000 year-end / $300,000 peak (abroad) | Filed with your 1040 if foreign financial assets exceed the threshold. |
| Self-employment tax | 15.3% on net profit | No totalization — a self-employed American owes US SE tax with no Singapore offset. |
Informational only — confirm your situation with a US expat-tax preparer. Singapore rates, the 183-day residency test, the 24% top rate, the foreign-income exemption, and the absence of a capital gains tax are from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (iras.gov.sg) and PwC's Singapore tax summary; the missing US tax treaty and totalization agreement are from the US Treasury/IRS and the SSA (ssa.gov).
Healthcare in Singapore for Americans
Singapore has some of the best healthcare in the world — consistently top-ranked, with renowned hospitals like Mount Elizabeth, Raffles, and Gleneagles. The catch for newcomers: the public subsidies and MediShield Life are for citizens and permanent residents only, so as a work-pass holder you pay full price unless you have insurance. US Medicare does not work in Singapore.
Employers are not required to provide medical insurance for Employment Pass holders (though many do as a perk), and you're not eligible for MediShield Life as a foreigner. So carry private or expat health insurance — both for big hospital bills, which can be steep at private facilities, and for any care before your employer's plan starts. Once you become a PR, you join CPF and MediSave and gain access to subsidised public care.
How It Works in Practice
- World-class private hospitals — Mount Elizabeth, Raffles, Gleneagles, and Parkway handle most expat care with English-speaking specialists.
- Public hospitals are excellent but unsubsidised for you — high quality, lower list prices than private, but you pay the non-subsidised rate as a foreigner.
- Carry private/expat insurance — check whether your employer's plan covers dependents and whether you want international (portable) cover.
- Pharmacies (Guardian, Watsons) are everywhere — bring a supply of any specialist US prescriptions and a copy of the prescription.
Finding Housing in Singapore as an American
Most Americans rent a private condominium, which comes with amenities (pool, gym, security) that soften the high rents. Buying is possible, and here Americans have a genuinely unique advantage over every other foreign nationality.
Foreign buyers normally pay a brutal 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property. But under the US–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, US citizens are given the same stamp-duty treatment as Singapore citizens — so on your first residential property you pay 0% ABSD, just the ordinary Buyer's Stamp Duty. You claim the FTA remission through IRAS's myTax Portal within 14 days of stamping. It's one of the clearest financial perks of being American in Singapore. (Note: it's for US citizens, not green-card holders, and a second property is taxed at the citizen rate, currently 20%.)
Most expats rent a condo via PropertyGuru or 99.co, usually with a one- or two-year lease and a deposit of one to two months. Rent is paid in Singapore dollars. Cheaper options include renting a room or a whole HDB flat (public housing, which non-owners can rent). Get a written tenancy agreement — you'll want the address for your bank account and Singpass.
As a foreigner you can buy private condominiums and apartments freely (subject to the ABSD rules above). You cannot buy HDB flats (public housing is for citizens/PRs) and generally cannot buy landed houses (bungalows, terraces) without special government approval — with the exception of designated Sentosa Cove. For most expats, a condo is the practical choice.
Where Americans settle
- Orchard / River Valley / Newton — central, close to international schools and the business district; the priciest.
- Tanjong Pagar / Tiong Bahru — trendy, walkable, near the CBD; popular with younger professionals.
- East Coast (Katong / Joo Chiat / Marine Parade) — near the beach and the airport, a long-standing expat favorite with more space for the money.
- Holland Village / Bukit Timah — leafy and family-friendly, close to several international schools.
Renting: What to Expect
- Deposits are modest — usually one month per year of lease (so two months on a two-year lease).
- Condos come with amenities — pool, gym, and security are standard and help justify the rent.
- Agent fees — for a one-year lease the tenant often pays half a month's commission; two-year leases are typically agent-fee-free for the tenant.
- Furnished or unfurnished — both are common; confirm air-con servicing and minor-repair clauses before signing.
Your Singapore Relocation Timeline
Singapore is fast compared with most countries: once your employer files, the Ministry of Manpower usually decides an Employment Pass in about 10 business days, and there's generally no document legalization or apostille to chase. The longest poles are landing the job offer (and passing COMPASS) and arranging housing and insurance. Set your target arrival month to see when to start each step.
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1Month −3: Choose Your Pass & Secure a Job Offer or Set Up Your BusinessMonth −3
Decide between EP / S Pass (a job), ONE Pass / PEP (high earnings), or EntrePass (a company). For the EP you need a Singapore employer to sponsor you; for the EntrePass, prepare your business plan. This is the longest-lead step — start it first. Use the route finder above.
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2Month −2: Check COMPASS & Gather DocumentsMonth −2
For the EP, have your employer run the COMPASS points test (40 points, unless you earn S$22,500+/mo). Collect your passport, educational certificates, and employment details. Singapore files online and usually needs no legalization or apostille — faster than most countries.
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3Month −1: Employer Files Your Pass → In-Principle ApprovalMonth −1
Your employer (or your company) submits the EP / S Pass / EntrePass to MOM via EP Online. A decision typically comes in ~10 business days, with an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter if approved — your green light to enter and have the pass issued.
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4Month −1: US & Singapore Tax PlanningMonth −1
Map your taxes. Singapore taxes residents (183+ days) at 0–24% with no capital gains tax, but with no US treaty and no totalization the self-employed also owe US SE tax. Offset with FEIE/FTC and keep filing your 1040 + FBAR. Confirm with a cross-border CPA.
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5Month −1: Arrange Housing & Health InsuranceMonth −1
Line up an initial condo (a central 1BR runs ~S$4,000–5,500/mo, deposit 1–2 months) on PropertyGuru or 99.co. Because pass holders aren't covered by subsidised public care or MediShield Life, buy private/expat health insurance before you arrive.
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6Month 0: Arrive, Complete Medical & Get Your PassMonth 0
Submit a free SG Arrival Card online, enter on your IPA, complete any required medical exam, and have your pass issued. You'll receive a FIN and pass card, and can register for Singpass.
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7Month +1: Bank, Settle In & Convert Your LicenseMonth +1
Open a DBS/OCBC/UOB account with your pass and FIN, set up PayNow, and get a local SIM. If you'll stay beyond 12 months, convert your US license by passing the Basic Theory Test (no practical for Class 3/3A).
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8Month +6: Consider Permanent ResidenceMonth +6
After about six months on an EP or S Pass you may apply for permanent residence via the PTS scheme (discretionary). PR brings CPF, subsidised healthcare, and housing options — but citizenship would mean renouncing your US passport.
Documents Needed for a Singapore Work Pass
The exact list depends on your pass, but these 8 items cover a standard Employment Pass application from a US citizen. Tick items off as you gather them — your progress is saved in your browser.
Personal Documents
Qualifications
Eligibility & Application
Financial & Health
Requirements verified June 2026 against the Ministry of Manpower (mom.gov.sg) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ica.gov.sg). Always confirm the exact document list for your pass type with MOM or your employer before applying.
After You Arrive: First Steps in Singapore
Your pass gets you in; the early weeks are about collecting your pass card and FIN, registering for Singpass, and setting up banking and healthcare. Singapore makes this unusually painless.
After entering on your IPA and completing any medical exam, your work pass is issued and you receive a FIN (Foreign Identification Number) on your pass card. Register for Singpass, the national digital identity, which you'll use for banking, government services, tax filing, and more. Your employer usually walks you through pass issuance.
Singapore drives on the left. You can drive on your US license (with an International Driving Permit) for up to 12 months. Stay longer and you must convert to a Singapore license by passing the Basic Theory Test (50 questions, pass 45/50, S$7.20 from 13 Mar 2026) — no practical test for a US Class 3/3A license. That said, owning a car is hugely expensive (the COE), so most expats skip driving and use the MRT.
First Month — Step by Step
- Collect your pass card & FIN, and register for Singpass — do this first.
- Open a Singapore bank account (DBS / OCBC / UOB) and set up PayNow.
- Arrange health insurance — private/expat cover, since you're not on MediShield Life.
- Convert your driving license (Basic Theory Test) if you'll stay beyond 12 months.
- Set up daily life — a local SIM, an EZ-Link/SimplyGo transit account, and your tenancy paperwork.
Residency & Citizenship Path
| Stage | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work pass (EP / S Pass / etc.) | Sponsored employment or your own company | EP up to 2 yr then 3 yr; ONE Pass 5 yr; renewable — where most Americans stay at first. |
| Permanent Residence (PR) | ~6 months on EP/S Pass, then apply via PTS | Discretionary; brings CPF, subsidised healthcare, and housing access. Many apply after 2–3 years. |
| Citizenship | ~2 years as a PR + renounce prior nationality | Singapore does not allow dual citizenship — you'd give up your US passport, so few Americans naturalise. |
Because Singapore doesn't allow dual citizenship, naturalising means renouncing your US passport — a step most Americans won't take. So the typical long-term path is Employment Pass → permanent residence, and then staying a PR indefinitely. Either way, you keep filing US tax returns on worldwide income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but almost always through work, because Singapore has no retirement visa and no digital nomad visa. US citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, but to live here you need a work pass: the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals earning at least S$5,600/mo (more with age) who also pass COMPASS, the S Pass for mid-skilled roles from S$3,300/mo, the ONE Pass for top talent earning S$30,000/mo, the Personalised EP for high earners not tied to one employer, or the EntrePass for founders. A pension, savings, or purely remote income won't qualify you for residence.
Singapore is one of the world's most expensive cities, so plan for a high salary rather than a savings cushion. The Employment Pass starts at S$5,600/mo (~US$4,200) for the youngest candidates and rises with age to S$10,700/mo at 45+; financial-services floors are higher (S$6,200–S$11,800). Day to day, a single person typically needs about US$3,500–5,500/mo including rent, because a central 1BR condo runs S$4,000–5,500. Hawker meals (S$4–7) and transport are cheap; housing, cars, and alcohol are very expensive.
No to both. Singapore has no retirement or pension-based visa and no dedicated digital nomad visa — the same as Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, and unlike Thailand or Malaysia. Residence is built around employment (EP, S Pass, ONE Pass, PEP, or EntrePass). Very wealthy retirees sometimes use the Global Investor Programme (a separate, high-threshold route to PR), but there's no simple income-based retiree visa. Remote workers can't legally work locally on a 90-day visit pass — to be based here they generally need an EP tied to a Singapore entity.
Singapore tax is low and territorial-leaning. You're a tax resident once you spend 183+ days in a calendar year, and residents pay 0% to 24% (the top rate applies only above S$1,000,000). There's no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by an individual is generally exempt. The catch for Americans: there is no US–Singapore tax treaty and no totalization agreement. You still file a US 1040 and lean on the FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit, and a self-employed American owes US self-employment tax of 15.3% because Singapore's CPF doesn't apply to foreigners and there's no totalization to offset it.
Foreigners can buy private condominiums and apartments (but not HDB public flats, and not landed houses without approval), and most foreigners pay a 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty. The big US-only advantage: under the US–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, US nationals get the same stamp-duty treatment as Singapore citizens. That means on your first residential property you pay 0% ABSD — only the ordinary Buyer's Stamp Duty — instead of 60%. You claim the FTA remission through IRAS's myTax Portal within 14 days of stamping. It's one of the clearest financial perks of being American in Singapore.
Permanent residence is realistic but selective. After roughly six months on an EP or S Pass you can apply for PR through the PTS scheme, though approval is discretionary and many apply after 2–3 years of work and tax history. PR brings CPF contributions and access to subsidised healthcare and housing. Citizenship generally needs about two years as a PR and — critically — Singapore does not allow dual citizenship, so you'd have to renounce your US passport. Most Americans stay permanent residents rather than naturalise.
The ONE Pass is Singapore's top-tier work pass for high earners and exceptional talent. You qualify by earning a fixed salary of at least S$30,000/mo (~US$22,400) over the past or prospective 12 months — for an overseas job the employer must be an established company with at least US$500M market value or US$200M revenue — or by outstanding achievement in arts, sport, science, or academia. Unlike the EP, the ONE Pass is valid five years, renewable, isn't tied to a single employer, and lets you work for or start multiple companies. It's the closest thing Singapore has to a flexible long-term talent visa.
Yes, but only for a while. You can drive on a valid US license (with an International Driving Permit) for up to 12 months after arriving. Stay longer and you must convert to a Singapore license by passing the Basic Theory Test (BTT) — a 50-question exam, pass mark 45/50, costing S$7.20 from 13 March 2026. Holders of a US Class 3 (manual) or 3A (automatic) license need no practical test, only the BTT. Singapore drives on the left, and owning a car is extremely expensive (the COE), so most residents use the excellent MRT and buses.
US passport holders can enter Singapore visa-free for social or business visits of up to 90 days, and must submit a free SG Arrival Card online within three days before arrival. You cannot work or settle on a visit pass — it's for tourism and short business trips only. To live and work in Singapore you need a work pass (Employment Pass, S Pass, ONE Pass, PEP, or EntrePass), which your employer or your own company applies for through the Ministry of Manpower before you start work.
Singapore work passes are usually filed by your employer's HR team or a corporate-services / employment agency, who handle the MOM application, COMPASS check, and pass issuance. A US expat-tax preparer is also worth it for your 1040, FBAR, the 183-day residency test, and the no-treaty / no-totalization position.
Find an immigration specialist →Also Considering…
Official sources & references
- Work passesmom.gov.sg — Ministry of Manpower — Employment Pass, S Pass & COMPASS eligibility
- Entry & PRica.gov.sg — Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — entry, SG Arrival Card & permanent residence
- Taxiras.gov.sg — Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore — income tax rates & stamp duty (ABSD)
- US checkfbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary — US police certificate (if requested for PR)