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Americans in Singapore

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Singapore as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Singapore

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Singapore

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

Website · Map · +65 6476 9100 · singaporeusembassy@state.gov

Your community group

ExpatStateside Singapore: Americans in Singapore

Free group for Americans in Singapore: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Join the group

Vote from SingaporeRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Singapore Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

City partner · Renting and property

Move in with Jess

Jess helps Americans and other expats find, negotiate and move into their Singapore home, from the first viewing to the handover.

Move in with Jess

Jessica Low

Level Up with JessCEA-registered · R062922J

City partner · Company setup in Singapore

The Setup Desk

Company setup, corporate secretary, nominee director, accounting, GST and work passes in Singapore, answered plainly by Willy Tan, founder of ForBis and an ASEAN CPA.

Ask Willy on WhatsApp

Willy Tan

ForBis Pte. Ltd.UEN 202118430W

Every partner is personally vetted by us and featured through a paid subscription across our magazines. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Singapore

Basics

Cost of living in Singapore vs San Francisco: Bay Area prices, different bills

Singapore costs about what the Bay Area costs, just in different places. Rent and cars hurt, lunch and the train don't. Here's the bill line by line, in SGD and dollars.

Basics

Singapore laws and fines that surprise Americans: gum, vapes, drugs and late-night beers

Most of Singapore's famous rules are easy to live with once you know them. A few, like vaping and drugs, can end your stay. Here's what's actually enforced in 2026.

Money and work

Singapore taxes for Americans: low rates, no treaty, and a US return every year

Singapore's tax bill is light, but it doesn't make your US return go away. Here's how residency, rates and IRAS filing work, and how the FEIE and foreign tax credit fit in.

Money and work

Banking in Singapore as an American: opening an account, FATCA and PayNow

Singapore banks will open your account, often from an app on day one of your pass. The fine print is FATCA, limits on investment products, and your own FBAR.

Money and work

CPF, SRS and retirement savings in Singapore: what an American can and can't use

On an Employment Pass you're outside CPF, Singapore's big pension system. SRS is open to you, but the IRS doesn't see it the way IRAS does. Here's how to save without tax traps.

Home

Renting in Singapore: condos, HDB apartments and the clauses Americans should read twice

Most Americans in Singapore rent a condo, sign for two years and pay stamp duty on the lease. Here's how HDB rules, agents, deposits and the diplomatic clause actually work.

Home

Buying property in Singapore as an American: the ABSD break most foreigners don't get

Most foreigners pay a 60% surcharge to buy a Singapore home. US citizens get Singaporean stamp duty treatment under the free trade agreement. Here's what that covers, and what it doesn't.

Moving and visas

Moving to Singapore as an American: the pass you need, and who gets it

Singapore doesn't sell residence to Americans. You get in through a job, a business, a family member or a school. Here's every route, its salary bar and who applies.

Moving and visas

Singapore's Employment Pass and COMPASS: the salary bar, the 40 points and the fine print

Your Singapore job offer isn't a done deal until the Employment Pass clears two tests: an age-based salary floor and 40 points on COMPASS. Here's how both work.

Moving and visas

Singapore's Dependant's Pass: bringing your family, and what it takes for a spouse to work

Your family's Singapore passes hang off one salary, and a Dependant's Pass no longer lets a spouse take a job. Here's who qualifies, which pass fits, and the real routes to work.

Health

Healthcare and health insurance in Singapore: great care, unsubsidized prices

Singapore's hospitals are world class, but the subsidies are for citizens and PRs. On a work pass you pay full price, so your insurance plan is the real decision.

Health

Heat, haze and dengue in Singapore: staying well in the tropics

Singapore is hot every single day, smoky some years and home to the mosquito that spreads dengue. None of it should keep you away, but each comes with a few habits worth learning early.

Schools and study

Schools in Singapore: American and international schools, local places and what they cost

Singapore has a big American school, several IB heavyweights and a strong public system with limited room for foreigners. Here's what each costs in 2026/27 and how to get in.

Schools and study

Universities in Singapore for American students: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD and the tuition grant catch

A world-class degree in Singapore can cost less than out-of-state tuition back home. The tuition grant makes it cheaper still, but it comes with a three-year work bond.

Getting around

Driving in Singapore with a US license: the 12-month rule, the COE and the cheaper ways to ride

Your US license works for your first year with an IDP. After that you convert. Then comes the real shock: a COE that costs more than most cars back home.

Getting around

MRT, buses and Grab in Singapore: tap your card, beat the heat, skip the car

Tap your contactless card, ride a clean, air-conditioned train for about a dollar, and call a Grab when it pours. Here's how Singapore's transit works for Americans.

Community

American life in Singapore: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and a century-old community

Americans have organized in Singapore for over a century. Here's where to find them: holidays, the American Association and Club, AmCham, sports, both parties and the embassy.

Community

Clubs and volunteering in Singapore: where Americans find their people

Singapore's American groups go back more than a century. Here's who runs what, from softball and dragon boats to AmCham, and how to volunteer without breaking your pass rules.

Going out

American food in Singapore: brisket, bagels and the Monday-morning Super Bowl

You can get Texas-style brisket, a New York bagel and a Thanksgiving turkey in Singapore. The catch is the price of a beer and a Super Bowl that kicks off at breakfast.

Going out

Nightlife in Singapore: rooftops, river bars and rules with teeth

Singapore's nightlife is better than its sleepy reputation: rooftop bars, shophouse cocktail dens and clubs on the river. The bills are big and the drug laws are bigger.

America in Singapore

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Singapore

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Singapore

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

Website · Map · +65 6476 9100 · singaporeusembassy@state.gov · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Commercial Service

U.S. Commercial Service Singapore

U.S. Department of Commerce trade office helping American companies do business in Singapore

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

Website · Map · office.singapore@trade.gov

EducationUSA

EducationUSA Singapore

U.S. State Department advising on studying at American colleges and universities

Website · Map · Facebook

Business and networking

Chamber

American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham)

Business network for U.S. companies and U.S.-Singapore trade and investment

1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre #23-03, Singapore 228208

Website · Map · +65 6597 5730 · admin@amcham.com.sg · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Business council

US-ASEAN Business Council (Singapore office)

Advocacy group for U.S. companies doing business in Southeast Asia, with events, policy work and membership

1 Rochester Park, #02-01 Rochester Common, Singapore 139212

Website · Map · Facebook · X · LinkedIn

Professional society

ASHRAE Singapore Chapter

Singapore chapter of the American HVAC and building engineering society, with seminars, conferences and young engineer programs

Website · Map · ascashrae@gmail.com · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

Clubs and associations

Association

American Association of Singapore

Community organization for Americans: holiday celebrations, events, sports teams; all nationalities welcome

Website · Map · GeneralManager@aasingapore.com · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

Club

American Women's Association of Singapore (AWA)

Volunteer-run social club for women of all nationalities living in Singapore

1 Kim Seng Promenade, Great World City East Tower, Level 11, Singapore 237994

Website · Map · +65 9469 3341 · office@awasingapore.org · Facebook · Instagram

Private members' club

The American Club

Private members club for Americans and international members, with dining, sports, family and social programs

10 Claymore Hill, Singapore 229573

Website · Map · +65 6737 3411

Civilian sea services support group

Navy League of the United States, Singapore Council

Local council of the U.S. civilian group supporting the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and merchant marine; hosts the annual U.S. Navy Birthday Ball

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Girl Scouts

USA Girl Scouts Overseas Singapore

Volunteer-run Girl Scouts program for girls in Singapore, with badges, awards and events following the U.S. program

Website · Map · Facebook

Cub Scouts (Scouting America)

Cub Scout Pack 3017 Singapore

Scouting America Cub Scout pack for kindergarten to Grade 5, enrolling for 2026-2027; has met at Singapore American School.

Map · sgpack3017@gmail.com

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad Singapore (Lion City Committee)

Singapore country committee of Democrats Abroad, the official Democratic Party group for Americans abroad; voter registration help

Website · Map

Party

Republicans Overseas Singapore

Singapore chapter of Republicans Overseas, a Republican group for Americans abroad; voter information

Website · Map

American sport

Team

Yankee Noodles (AAS Softball)

American Association of Singapore's softball team in the SBSA league, playing Sunday afternoons; new players welcome

Website · Map

Dragon boat and outrigger club

American Dragons Singapore

Paddle club with American roots, training and racing in dragon boat and outrigger canoe; members from over 25 nations

Kallang Basin, Singapore

Website · Map · membership@americandragons.sg · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

Youth football league

Singapore American Football League (SAFL)

Youth tackle and flag football league, running since 1974 under the Singapore American Community Action Council

60 Paya Lebar Road, #07-54 Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051

Website · Map · +65 8481 7300 · info@safl.sg · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

Schools and universities

School

Singapore American School

Preschool-Grade 12 school with a U.S. curriculum and 25+ AP courses

40 Woodlands Street 41, Singapore 738547

Website · Map · +65 6363 3403 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

Stamford American International School

School combining American academic standards with IB programs, plus AP courses

1 Woodleigh Lane, Singapore 357684

Website · Map · +65 6653 2949 · admissions@sais.edu.sg · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

International school

XCL World Academy

IB World School for ages 18 months to 19 years; Grades 11-12 can also take AP courses toward a WASC-accredited diploma

2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore 768039

Website · Map · +65 6230 4230 · admissions@xwa.edu.sg · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

Montessori preschool

Inno Montessori Preschool

Montessori preschool for ages 18 months to 6 years; member of the American Montessori Society

217 East Coast Road, #04-01/02/03, Singapore 428915

Website · Map · +65 6634 0922 · contact@innomontessori.com · Instagram

American curriculum school

International Community School (ICS)

Christian school with an American curriculum, K4 to Grade 12; WASC-certified, EduTrust.

27A Jubilee Road, Singapore 128575

Website · Map · +65 6776 7435 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

American curriculum school

RD American School

New school in partnership with Riverdale Country School, New York City; elementary to high school.

3 Changi Business Park Vista, Singapore 486051

Website · Map · +65 9781 9688 · admissions@rdas.edu.sg · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

International school (AP)

5 Steps Academy

US K-12 track with SAT and AP alongside Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels; WASC and EduTrust; College Board test centre.

Website · Map · +65 8655 0005

International school (WASC)

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)

K1 to Grade 12 with the IB Diploma; WASC accredited, CIS member. Second campus: 1 Tampines Street 73 (+65 6305 5344).

1207 Dover Road, Singapore 139654

Website · Map · +65 6775 5344 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

US university campus

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Asia

Asia campus of the US aviation university; bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautics, aviation business, engineering and analytics.

70 Seletar Aerospace View, #02-01, Air 7 Asia Building, Singapore 797564

Website · Map · +65 6933 9580 · asia@erau.edu · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

US university program

University at Buffalo (SUNY) at SIM

University at Buffalo bachelor's degrees taught at the Singapore Institute of Management; same degree as in New York.

461 Clementi Road, Singapore 599491

Website · Map

US university campus

DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore

First international campus of US-based DigiPen (opened 2008); computer science, game design, digital art degrees with the Singapore Institute of Technology.

SIT@SP Building, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore

Website · Map

US joint medical school