By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
In your first two weeks in Singapore, do things in this order: have your pass issued and get your pass card, register for Singpass, open a bank account, get a local phone line, sign your lease and pay its stamp duty, set up electricity, water and broadband, and register with a GP. Almost everything depends on the step before it, and the pass card with your FIN number unlocks the rest.
The first fortnight is the part of moving here that feels hardest, because Singapore is so digital: until you have a FIN and Singpass, many things that take locals two minutes online take you a counter visit. Once you have them, life gets very easy very quickly.
The checklist
| Step | What to do | Why it comes here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Have your pass issued and receive your pass card | Your FIN is the key to everything else |
| 2 | Register for Singpass | Government and many bank services log in with it |
| 3 | Open a bank account | For your salary, rent and bills |
| 4 | Get a local mobile line | One-time passwords go to a local number |
| 5 | Sign a lease and pay the stamp duty | Stamp duty is due within 14 days |
| 6 | Set up electricity, water and broadband | Often needs the lease and your pass |
| 7 | Register with a GP and check your insurance | Before you need either |
| 8 | Children’s schools, pet licences, driving licence | Each has its own timeline |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Hardest part | The few days before your pass card and Singpass arrive. |
| Easiest part | Everything after; Singapore is quick once you are in the system. |
| Bring from home | Original certificates, translated if needed, and a way to receive overseas bank codes. |
| Budget for | A deposit and advance rent, usually several months together. |
| Worth doing on day one | A tourist SIM, so you have a working number from the airport. |
1. Your pass card
Your employer’s approval letter lets you enter Singapore and have your pass issued; follow MOM’s instructions on it for issuance and any registration appointment. The card shows your FIN, the foreign identification number that banks, phone companies, landlords and government services ask for. Keep a photo of it.
2. Singpass
Singpass is Singapore’s digital identity. Pass holders aged 15 and over can register instantly with face verification once their FIN is issued. Singpass for foreigners explains how.
3. A bank account
Your salary, rent and bills will run through a local account. Banks ask for your passport, pass card or approval letter, and proof of address. Opening a bank account covers the details.
4. A phone line
Start with a tourist or prepaid SIM from the airport, then move to a postpaid or SIM-only plan once you have your pass card. A local number matters because banks and Singpass send one-time passwords to it.
5. Your home
Most new residents rent first. Leases usually ask for a security deposit and advance rent, and the tenant normally pays stamp duty on the lease, due within 14 days of signing. Rental stamp duty explains it, and The Address covers renting and neighbourhoods.
6. Utilities and broadband
Electricity and water are opened through SP Group, often with your lease and pass. You can then choose an electricity retailer or stay on the regulated tariff. Your electricity bill and The Big Buy’s broadband guide explain the choices.
7. Healthcare
Check what your employer’s insurance covers and register with a GP near home. Healthcare for new residents explains what foreigners pay.
8. The longer timelines
School places, pet import licences and driving licence conversion each run to their own schedule, often months long. Start them early: see schools, pets and driving licences.
First two weeks: FAQ
What should I do first when I move to Singapore?
Have your pass issued and get your pass card; your FIN unlocks Singpass, banking, phone contracts and utilities.
Can I open a bank account before my pass card arrives?
Some banks accept the approval letter; requirements vary, so check with the bank.
Who pays stamp duty on a lease in Singapore?
Usually the tenant, within 14 days of signing. The Address’s rental stamp duty guide explains the calculation.
Do I need a local phone number?
Yes, in practice: banks and Singpass send one-time passwords to it.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. For your first shop, see grocery shopping for new residents.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: Singpass, who is eligible; GovTech, registering with Singpass Face Verification; WahLiao’s desk guides on rental stamp duty and electricity, which carry their own official sources. General information, not legal advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.
