First 90 days

Understand LOI vs Tenancy Agreement, diplomatic clause, inventory list, and deposit return conditions before you stamp. IRAS lease duty is typically 0.4% of total rent for leases of four years or less — stamp within 14 days if signed in Singapore.

SP Group account, water, and fibre/broadband in your name. Photograph meter readings on move-in day.

IRAS tax residency often hinges on days present and employment. Note your arrival date; open myTax Portal once Singpass works. Use the tax-residency day sketch for the common ≥183-day calendar-year test. YA 2026 e-Filing runs 1 Mar–18 Apr 2026 — put it on the calendar even in your first year.

If you ever change employers without leaving Singapore, STVP timing, Dependant Pass fall-through, and IR21-vs-rehire rules matter more than LinkedIn. Keep the sequence bookmarked before you need it.

Spouse or kids on a later Dependant Pass need their own IPA clock, Arrival Card, Singpass/bank week, and school seat plan. Sketch the IPA enter-and-issue window before you buy non-refundable tickets.

995 (ambulance/fire), 999 (police), your embassy/high commission, and building security. Share with household members.

Confirm term dates against the MOE and international-school calendars. If targeting mainstream schools, track AEIS (Jul/Sep) and S-AEIS (Jan/Mar) windows. Book a backup carer for public holidays and June / year-end breaks when schools close and offices do not.

Dental, optometry, and any chronic-condition specialists. Panel networks differ — call your insurer first.

Club, faith group, sports team, or parents’ WhatsApp. Recurring is the point — one-off mixers fade.

Save haze.gov.sg / myENV (not only foreign AQI apps). Keep correctly sized N95-style masks and know when MOH Unhealthy PSI bands mean cutting outdoor sport. Heat stress is year-round — hydration for kids’ CCAs matters even without visible haze.

EP renewals and COMPASS evidence take lead time. Put a reminder now while the issue date is fresh — and note MOM’s qualifying-salary tables shift again from 1 Jan 2027 for new applications.

Even if you are staying — IR21 tax clearance (employer files ≥1 month ahead; STVP up to 90 days on cancel), deposit timelines, and shipping lead times are easier when you know they exist. Family DPs usually fall with the main EP — know the STVP bridge.