How Much Does it Cost to Move to Singapore From the UK in 2024

It’ll cost between £15,000 and £20,000+ to move from the UK to Singapore in 2024. 

This is the average cost for flights, visa fees, rental costs, health insurance and other essential services. Your total costs will vary depending on your requirements and circumstances.

Use our handy cost guide to help create a budget for your move to Singapore from the UK.

Breakdown of the Costs of Moving to Singapore

Visa and Document Costs

1. Skills Assessment – A skills assessment isn’t typically required when you apply for a work visa. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will look at your qualifications, experience, salary etc, but this will come at no extra cost. 
   
   
2. Authentication Fees – For some professions, you might need to authenticate your documents via a notary in the UK. Fees can range from £50 (SGD 91) to £100 (SGD 182) per document in the UK.
   
   
3. Mandatory Medical Check – Again, a medical check isn’t too common in Singapore, but you might require one if you are entering via an Employment Pass visa. This can cost between SGD 100 to SGD 300 (£55 to £165).
   
   
4. Police Clearance Certificate – You generally do not require a police clearance certificate, but for certain high-security jobs, you may need one. Costs vary and start from around £60 to £90 (SGD 109 to SGD 163).
   
   
5. Visa Application Fee – It’ll cost SGD 105 (£61) to apply for an Employment Pass visa and a further SGD 225 (£130) for the Issuance fee. The S Pass for skilled workers application fee is SGD 105 (£61) and the Issuance fee is SGD 225 (£130). The permanent residency visa application fee is SGD 100 (£58) with no further fees. 
   
   
6. Visa Assistance –  If you need basic assistance for the Employment Pass or S Pass, fees for visa assistance services range from £300 to £1,000 (SGD 546 to SGD 1,820).  This will include assistance with completing forms, document preparation and application submission. Costs can be as high as £3,000 (SGD 5460) plus for complex cases.

Travel and Relocation Costs

1. Flights From the UK to Singapore: A one-way flight ticket to Singapore from the UK typically starts around £400 (SGD 128) and can cost over £1,200 (SGD 2,184). The cost will depend on the time of year, flight class and destination flying from.
   
   
2. Shipping Your Belongings: 1st Move International’s shipping service to Singapore from the UK will cost roughly £2,596 (SGD 4,724.72). This is the cost to ship the contents of a 3-bedroom home via a 20ft shipping container. 
   
   
3. Rental Deposits & Advance Rent: Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Singapore is SGD 7,267.44 (£3,994.09) and you typically have to pay 1-2 months of rent as a deposit. You should aim to budget SGD 14,534.88 (£7,991.18) for initial moving costs. 
   
   
4. Health Insurance:  Citizens and permanent residents in Singapore are entitled to reduced healthcare costs and insurance schemes. Your employer might cover your health insurance costs but if not, you’ll need to seek health insurance for you and your family. Costs typically cost between SGD 3,000 and SGD 8,000 (£1,740 to £4,640) per year for a family. 
   
   
5. Shipping Your Car: Shipping your car to Singapore from the UK will cost roughly £1,115 (SGD 2,028) for RoRo (roll on roll off) services from Southampton.
   
   
6. Shipping Your Pet: It’ll cost roughly £1,000 to £3,000 (SGD 1,820 to SGD 5,460) to use a pet relocation service from the UK to Singapore. This cost typically includes the flight. You’ll have to pay an import permit fee of between SGD 60 to SGD 80. Your pet may be subject to quarantine, which might cost between SGD 500 and SGD 1,000.
   
   

Average Salaries in Singapore

The average salary in Singapore for 2024 is SGD 54,000 (£29,700) per annum. Use this as a guideline only as salaries vary via neighbourhoods and towns. Your salary will also depend on your chosen skill, experience and employer. Below is the average salary for a variety of areas in Singapore using data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM):

• Jurong East: SGD 68,000 (£37,400)
• Yishun: SGD 48,000 (£26,400)
• Ang Mo Kio: SGD 50,000 (£27,500)
• Tengah: SGD 50,000 (£27,500)
• Choa Chu Kang: 50,000 (£27,500)

Final Thoughts

The initial costs that come with moving to Singapore from the UK might seem expensive, but once you’ve settled in, your outgoings will be lower. For many people, the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront moving fees. From year-round warm weather to career opportunities, Singapore offers a high quality of life. 

You can use our guide on Singapore moving costs to create a budget for your move. This will help you avoid any hidden costs or nasty surprises. You can also get a free quote for your shipping costs with us. This will give you an accurate idea of what to expect. 

Moving to Singapore – We Can Help

When you’re ready to make the move to Singapore, get in touch with 1st Move International. We have over 25 years of experience in international moving, so we’re the first choice to get you moved safer, faster and smarter. We’ll take care of the whole move, from packing to final delivery in Singapore. Get a free, tailored quote for your removals to Singapore and begin your new adventure right away.