Long-stay visas for Singapore
The highest bar in the region by a wide margin, and the only country here where the binding constraint is a points framework rather than a single salary figure.
Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass
Up to 5 years for first-time candidates and up to 5 years on each subsequent renewal, renewable indefinitely while the renewal criteria are met.The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is Singapore's top-tier work pass: it requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 from one employer for the 12 consecutive months before you apply, or a prospective role at that salary with an established Singapore company, and it runs up to 5 years and is renewable for 5 years each time. Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 on issuance, with most cases decided within 4 weeks. The ordinary Employment Pass alternative is far cheaper on salary - S$5,600 a month for general sectors and S$6,200 for financial services through 2026, rising to S$6,000 and S$6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027 - but it is employer-tied and requires 40 points under COMPASS unless the candidate earns at least S$22,500 a month.
Insurance: not required6 corrections tracked
What a month actually costs
| Main hub | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Lean month | about $2,200 |
| Comfortable month | about $4,000 |
Estimates for one person, excluding flights and insurance. Presented as estimates because no primary source exists for cost of living — unlike every visa figure on this site, these are not sourced claims.