Free setup playbook For expats moving to Singapore

First 90 Days in Singapore Setup Checklist

A compact decision checklist for sequencing arrival, housing, healthcare, family setup and support requests without rushing into costly commitments.

7 sections 31 action points Print-ready

Request Support

1. Before You Arrive: Avoid Costly Early Commitments

Confirm pass status, start date, dependant documents and passport validity before signing a lease or paying large deposits. Ask HR about pass milestones, medical checks, relocation allowance, temporary housing, family support and benefits. Prepare one secure folder with passports, employer letters, school reports, vaccination records, prescriptions and insurance documents. Use temporary accommodation first if work location, school route, budget or family routine is still uncertain.

2. Week 1: Get Operational Before Making Big Decisions

Set up phone access, transport payment, emergency contacts, grocery routes and nearby clinic options. Test weekday commute routes during peak hours before deciding where to live. If moving with family, test the school or childcare journey, not just the adult commute. Avoid overbooking viewings. Use week 1 to understand the daily routine first.

3. Housing Decision Framework

Compare areas by commute, school route, clinic access, groceries, rainy-day transport, lifestyle and budget pressure. Ask about deposit timing, lease period, diplomatic clause, air-con servicing, repairs, inventory, internet and landlord response time. Review whether HDB, condominium, apartment, landed or commercial property is suitable for your household, lifestyle and work arrangement. Avoid choosing an expat district by reputation alone. Daily routes matter more.

4. Family and Healthcare Setup

For children, prepare school reports, learning-support notes, vaccination records, birth certificates and emergency contacts. Shortlist nearby clinics, hospitals and screening providers based on where you actually live and work. Keep prescriptions, allergies, medical history and existing coverage details in one place. Check school routes, childcare hours, clinic access and weekend routines before deciding housing.

5. Money, Protection and Legacy Questions to Prepare

List employer benefits, existing insurance, savings plans, overseas assets, dependants and major commitments. Prepare questions around protection, savings, education, retirement, estate and legacy planning. Use online content only to prepare better questions, not to make product or investment decisions. For regulated advice, speak directly with appropriately qualified professionals.

6. Day 30 to Day 90 Review

Review commute time, rent pressure, school routine, healthcare access, grocery cost, weekend lifestyle and remaining admin. Adjust the plan if early assumptions were wrong. Correcting by day 90 is better than living with a poor setup. Identify which support gaps remain: housing, medical access, local admin, family setup, corporate support or professional financial questions. Request introductions only when the need is specific enough for a local professional to respond properly.

7. Request Brief Template

Use this brief when asking for support. A clearer brief helps SG Expat Desk route requests faster.

Arrival date or current Singapore status Household size and family needs Work location, school needs and preferred commute time Housing budget range and preferred areas Healthcare, local admin or daily settling-in needs Questions already answered and decisions still pending Urgency level and preferred contact method

SG Expat Desk is a matching and information platform. This checklist is general information only. We do not provide legal, immigration, investment, insurance, medical or financial advice.