What must happen in the first week after landing?

Pass issuance/activation, SGWorkPass install, local SIM, temporary housing check-in with photo inventory, and a banking path that can receive salary. Singpass usually unlocks after FIN/pass formalities — do not plan week-one digital KYC on IPA alone.

When should I open a bank account versus chase credit cards?

Open the salary account as soon as address proof and pass docs allow. Credit cards usually wait for payslips / income evidence — see the credit-cards guide. Multiplier-style bonus interest waits for recognised salary credits.

Do I need to update MOM when I move from a hotel to a lease?

Yes if your residential address changes — EP holders generally have a short notify clock (commonly 5 days). Use EP eService and clear FWTES landlord consent for many private condos.

What belongs in days 30–90 rather than week one?

Longer lease decision, school enrolment finalisation, GP registration, insurance LOG understanding, tax-residency day tracking, and salary-account bonus-interest setup after payroll clears. Do not buy ABSD property or a COE car on week-one FOMO.

Is this checklist a substitute for my employer’s onboarding list?

No. Employer medicals, IT, and immigration counsel instructions win on conflicts. Use 7/30/90 as sequencing for household tasks MOM/ICA/banks will still expect you to own.

Move

Singapore relocation checklist: first 7, 30, and 90 days

A practical arriving checklist from landing week through the first quarter — passes, banking, housing, schools, and administrative scaffolding.

MoveArriving2 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

Relocation is a project with dependencies. Use this as a sequencing guide — not a substitute for your employer’s onboarding list.

First 7 days

Complete pass formalities and collect / activate your pass card; install SGWorkPass the same day
Get a local SIM and stable connectivity
Open or activate banking where possible (credit cards wait for payslips — see credit cards)
Confirm temporary housing check-in and inventory (chute seals, aircon unit counts, mould photos)
Register critical HR contacts and emergency clinic / dental locations; if you flew with controlled meds, keep the HSA approval letter with your passport
If eligible, begin Singpass setup (needs FIN / issued pass — IPA alone often fails)

First 30 days

Stamp the tenancy agreement (lease duty) and save the Stamp Certificate — renting process
Transfer chronic meds to a local GP/specialist before the import supply ends — HSA medication rules
Long-term housing search in earnest (if still in serviced apartment) — negotiate diplomatic clause in the LOI and landlord FWTES consent
School applications / waitlist follow-ups; queue translations / apostilles early if ICA/MOM needs them
GP registration and insurance cards understood (dental carve-outs included)
Utilities / telecom / PayNow / GIRO basics
Commute dry-runs at rush hour
Update residential address / mobile with MOM within 5 days of any move — EP notify guide; mirror the same address to bank and HR
If you renew your passport, update EP eService before relying on automated immigration gates
Trailing partner: confirm work rights in writing — overseas remote vs Singapore clients differ (side income rules)
Understand equity tax points if RSUs vest in year one — RSU / ESOP tax

First 90 days

Settle utilities, fibre, OEM plan choice, and recurring payments
Build a basic community foothold (club, hash, interest group, or neighbour network)
Review budget vs actual spend (include unsubsidised healthcare / dental)
Apply for a local credit card only after salary credit + payslips — credit cards for foreigners
Only then chase Multiplier-style bonus interest — high-interest salary accounts
Note pass expiry and PR long-game only after you understand living reality

Questions, answered

What must happen in the first week after landing?: Pass issuance/activation, SGWorkPass install, local SIM, temporary housing check-in with photo inventory, and a banking path that can receive salary. Singpass usually unlocks after FIN/pass formalities — do not plan week-one digital KYC on IPA alone.
When should I open a bank account versus chase credit cards?: Open the salary account as soon as address proof and pass docs allow. Credit cards usually wait for payslips / income evidence — see the credit-cards guide. Multiplier-style bonus interest waits for recognised salary credits.
Do I need to update MOM when I move from a hotel to a lease?: Yes if your residential address changes — EP holders generally have a short notify clock (commonly 5 days). Use EP eService and clear FWTES landlord consent for many private condos.
What belongs in days 30–90 rather than week one?: Longer lease decision, school enrolment finalisation, GP registration, insurance LOG understanding, tax-residency day tracking, and salary-account bonus-interest setup after payroll clears. Do not buy ABSD property or a COE car on week-one FOMO.
Is this checklist a substitute for my employer’s onboarding list?: No. Employer medicals, IT, and immigration counsel instructions win on conflicts. Use 7/30/90 as sequencing for household tasks MOM/ICA/banks will still expect you to own.

Sources & citations

Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.