🇯🇵Japan• 9 min read • Updated Aug 2026
Moving to Singapore from Japan: 2026 Visa, Cost & Settling-In Guide
What Japanese professionals need to know before relocating to Singapore — Employment Pass basics, cost of living, and a first-month settling-in checklist.
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Quick Facts Snapshot — Japan to Singapore
Visa Route
Employment Pass / Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT)
Japanese Community
Large established presence with dedicated schools, clinics & stores
Income Tax Advantage
Max 24% in Singapore vs top 45% income tax + 10% Jyuminzei in Japan
Municipal Deregistration
Submit Kaigai Tenshutsu Todoke (海外転出届) before departure
Currency
1 SGD ≈ 110–118 JPY
Healthcare Transition
National Health Insurance ceases; employer IPMI is essential
Singapore hosts one of Japan's largest expatriate business communities across trading (sogo shosha), electronics, manufacturing, banking, and technology. Navigating Japanese municipal deregistration (Jyuminhyo), housing, and bilingual education ensures a successful move.
1. Visa Pathway for Japanese Nationals
Japanese professionals follow the standard Employment Pass (EP) framework. Many Japanese expatriates relocate via Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) status from Tokyo or Osaka headquarters, which qualifies for exemption from the COMPASS points rubric.
Direct hires with degrees from recognized Japanese universities (University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda, Keio, Tokyo Tech, etc.) earn high qualification points under COMPASS Criterion 2.
Key Action Steps & Considerations:
- EP salary benchmark: Minimum $5,600/month (General) or $6,200/month (Financial Services).
- ICT transferees are exempt from COMPASS 40-point assessment.
- Dependant Passes for spouse and children require minimum $6,000/month fixed salary.
2. Cost of Living Reality Check vs Tokyo
Compared to Tokyo, private housing rental in Singapore is higher in absolute terms, particularly for spacious condominiums in central and prime school districts. However, this is balanced by substantially lower income tax rates: Singapore personal income tax tops out at 24% with zero local inhabitant tax (Jyuminzei), compared to Japan’s top 45% national tax + 10% inhabitant tax brackets.
Japanese goods and dining are widely available in Singapore (Don Don Donki, Meidi-Ya, Isetan, Dondonya) with a slight price premium due to freight and import tariffs.
Key Action Steps & Considerations:
- Calculate take-home pay with our Take-Home Pay Estimator.
- Compare rental costs with our Rent vs. Buy Simulator.
3. Where Japanese Expats Tend to Live
• East Coast (Marine Parade, Tanjong Rhu, Katong): Very popular for families due to the Japanese School Singapore Changi Primary campus, Japanese grocery stores, and coastal parks.
• West Region (Clementi, West Coast): Close to the Japanese Secondary School (Clementi) and Japanese Kindergarten.
• Central / River Valley / Robertson Quay: Popular for executives and couples seeking walkable access to Great World City (Meidi-Ya) and central offices.
Key Action Steps & Considerations:
- Changi Japanese School families: Marine Parade, Bayshore, Tanjong Rhu.
- Clementi Japanese School families: Clementi, West Coast, Pasir Panjang.
4. Banking, SIM & First-Month Checklist
• SIM Card: Get a local SIM or eSIM (Singtel, StarHub, Circles.Life).
• Bank Account: Open an account with DBS, OCBC, UOB, or MUFG / SMBC / Mizuho Singapore branches.
• Japanese Municipal Procedures: Submit your Overseas Move-out Notification (海外転出届, Kaigai Tenshutsu Todoke) to your local ward/city office before departure to stop municipal tax (Jyuminzei) and National Health Insurance obligations.
Key Action Steps & Considerations:
- Decide on voluntary National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) contribution continuation.
- Set up SimplyGo for public bus and MRT commuting.
5. Common Culture-Shock Points & Lifestyle Nuances
• Japanese Infrastructure in Singapore: Outstanding access to Japanese healthcare (Raffles Japanese Clinic, Nippon Clinic), cultural hubs (The Japanese Association, Singapore on Adam Road), and supermarkets.
• English in the Workplace: Business and legal communication is conducted in English; Singaporeans speak at a fast pace and value direct problem-solving.
• Climate: Year-round tropical summer requiring light business attire and air-conditioning.
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Recommended Financial Tool: Take-Home Pay Estimator
Calculate your net landing salary after progressive IRAS tax and 0% CPF foreigner exemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical questions for Japan citizens relocating to Singapore
Yes, Singapore has one of the world's most comprehensive Japanese overseas support networks, including The Japanese Association on Adam Road, The Japanese School Singapore (Changi and Clementi campuses), Waseda Shibuya Senior High School, specialized Japanese medical and dental clinics, and major Japanese supermarkets (Meidi-Ya, Don Don Donki, Isetan, Dondonya).
At a Glance
Country:🇯🇵 Japan
Reading Time:9 min read
Policy Status:Verified for 2026