Relocation Service

Singapore Professional Immigration Consultancy Pte. Ltd. (SPIC) offers services to make assimilation much easier for you. We are an immigration consultancy that also provides assistance for immigration to Singapore for first-time movers.

 

Individuals like you stay in Singapore for reasons both personal and practical.

To oversee new business endeavours, to enrol in a good school, to visit kin and relatives, and much more. Here at SPIC, we know how daunting it is to settle in a new country and understand the need for assistance.

 

We can help make the transition easier.

We help guide many individuals in their process of immigrating to the country, find housing and shelter, arrange for documents, and more.

 

SPIC provides you with experienced consultants who can help ease you into your new home. Our team assists individuals with varying needs by providing customised solutions for your specific circumstances. You’re not alone in dealing with your situation.

 

Here at SPIC, we know that immigrating to a new country may be a somewhat confusing and disorienting affair. We aim to help you with our overseas location services to help you establish a foothold here in Singapore.

 

Your Relocation Journey

Tips for moving to Singapore

The first step is to start planning.

  • Start packing at the correct time (too early means you pack things that you need, too late means you will be rushed). – Hiring packing services can be a great idea to relieve some of the stress of relocation.
  • If you have not found a job in Singapore yet the, try to get one as soon as possible. Preferably before you get there. It is easier to get a visa if you already have a job.
  • Study your visa options very carefully. It is essential to apply for the right kind of visa to suit your needs.
  • Check customs regulations before you start packing. Keep the size of your living quarters in Singapore in mind.
  • Bear in mind the weather in Singapore.
  • When you get to Singapore, you need to apply for a SingPass account as soon as possible.

 

Packing to move? Where to start

Three months before moving

  • Book travel and accommodation
  • Research the housing market and area-specific information
  • If your children are coming with you, notify their school and complete any paperwork involved – also, do a school search in Singapore.
  • Confirm any vaccination and quarantine requirements for pet relocation and engage pet relocation services to ensure the health and safety of your pets
  • Research relocation services and get some quotes from different relocation services, including international moving services.
  • Confirm paperwork requirements in Singapore, make sure your passport is in order and will be valid for the entire time that you are away
  • Confirm driver’s license laws in Singapore – do you need an international driver’s license?
  • Renters should inform their landlord about their plans, and homeowners should put their house on the market – start your home search in Singapore.
  • Consider what you are putting in storage (research storage solutions), what you are selling, and what you really want to take with you.

 

Two months before moving

  • Keep a checklist of what goes into each box.
  • Make sure that all your essential documents have certified hard copies and scanned digital copies.
  • Obtain copies of everyone’s medical records and look into healthcare and healthcare options in Singapore
  • Continue researching schools and start to make contact with them.
  • Start selling whatever needs selling.
  • Inform your bank you are leaving, research Singaporean banking options
  • Make arrangements for payments to be made overseas.
  • Take care of any house repairs if you plan to rent out your house; if not, put it on the market.
  • Select a relocation company that offers international moving services/international relocation services
  • Packing the unessential

 

One month before moving

  • Notify everyone of your overseas address (including places like your bank)
  • Get all the paperwork for the moving company done.
  • Pack up what needs packing (remember to keep track of what goes where)
  • Get travel/moving insurance.
  • Enrol your children in a local school
  • Make sure you have accommodation upon arrival (permanent or temporary accommodation)
  • Cancel all utilities, subscriptions, memberships and finalise all your bills
  • Let the mail service know that your mail needs to be rerouted.

 

One to two weeks before moving

  • Plan what goes into your luggage where – what needs to go into a carry-on, and what do you want checked
  • Acquire local currency or get a card that will work in Singapore
  • Get your paperwork ready.
  • Check medication regulations in Singapore (something that might be legal in your country might not be in Singapore), secure alternatives and doctors letters for everything or anything possible.
  • Disassemble large furniture
  • Commence packing
  • Confirm accommodation for your arrival
  • Dispose of freezer and fridge contents, clean everything.

 

Moving day checklist

  • Confirm that you have your passport and that it will not be left behind. Make sure you did not leave anything else behind in the house.
  • Consider that checked luggage might be delayed – pack essentials in a carry-on.
  • Confirm delivery information with your shipping company and confirm shipment protection insurance

 

Paperwork and customs

Entry requirements

We have several blogs and articles specifically dedicated to the entry requirements of foreigners in Singapore. There are different entry visas and re-entry permits for different lengths of stay and purpose of stay. Explore the SPIC blog site for more information, or contact one of our consultants today to receive immigration assistance tailored to your individual needs.

 

Right to work

Unlike with local moves, you will need things like an Employment Pass or other work permits when you move overseas. For more information on work permits, contact one of our consultants today.

 

What to bring when moving to Singapore

It is extremely important to check import laws in Singapore as they tend to be quite strict. Once you have researched these and consulted with international relocation companies, then you will have a better idea of what you can bring and what you cannot. This is most especially important for medications. Engage with storage services for things that you cannot move. For anything that you cannot bring but you want to hold on to you can consider long term storage solutions/storage rental.

 

Setting up shop: Relocation Solutions

  • Moving in: Relocation companies in Singapore can help with this step. It can be quite stressful to move into a new place in a new country for the first time. Specially trained movers can help with moving furniture and such into high-rises. If you have used an international moving company, then this step will likely be included in your package.
  • Internet and Phone: Familiarise yourself with the main internet providers in Singapore. Internet in Singapore is usually fast, reliable, and easily accessible. Expect around two weeks to get everything up and running. There are also several cellphone providers in Singapore that you can check out.
  • SingPass: Register for your account as soon as possible.
  • Utilities: You need to apply for water and electricity services in Singapore. Furthermore, Singapore uses a Type G Plug (as is used in Britain), 230 volts and 50 hertz. Adapters are plentiful in Singapore.
  • Postal Services: Check out the national SingPost website.

 

Getting around Singapore

  • Connections: Overall, the infrastructure on the island is fantastic, and both transportation and roads are well-connected.
  • Public transport: Public transport in the country is reliable and efficient. There are several taxis, trains, and busses on the island that travel regularly. Timetables and such are available online. Make sure that you use registered services as that is safest.
  • Private transport: You will have a full calendar year in which you can continue to drive with your current license. But after this period, you need to convert your license. It should be noted that having a personal car in Singapore is fairly expensive.

 

How to keep moving stress-free

An international move can be extremely stressful and quite expensive. You will need to find an international moving company that offers international moving services at a reasonable price. Moving companies often understand the ins and outs of the moving process better than any individual ever can, so they can ensure that your personal belongings are moved carefully, efficiently, and safely. Try to maintain communication with your dedicated move manager. A smooth relocation experience when moving abroad can bring you great peace of mind.

 

Relocating overseas can also be an expensive endeavour, much more so than the domestic relocation process. Especially when including things like pet and vehicle relocation costs. Ideally, you would want a dedicated team so that you know that your possessions are being handled by the same people consistently and that they can be trusted as professional movers. Many of these residential relocation services have competitive prices. Check out their customer satisfaction reviews before deciding to hire a specific company in Singapore or your home country.

 

Try to find a moving company that offers an all-encompassing relocation service, and be sure to work closely with immigration services as well.

 

Pro-Tips

  • When we embark on international moves, we can benefit greatly from some language training and speaking to the locals to learn some local knowledge while we are settling in.
  • Many international relocation companies include packing services in their packages. Using packing services can save a lot of time and stress.
  • There are several international relocation companies in Singapore; research those and their company-specific moving services and global network before making a final decision.
  • International movers are well-trained and professional, especially companies in Singapore, so do not be concerned about the safety and security of your belongings. Also, always remember to insure the move.
  • Most international moving companies will have contact details for other services, like handyman services, from providers who are trusted, punctual and competitive prices. They will also know about disposal services and storage solutions/storage facilities in Singapore.
  • Domestic moving on its own is a difficult thing to navigate; remember that international moves are far more complex, and risk management is essential.
  • Relocation companies are likely to have contacts in the insurance industry, do not hesitate to talk to your relocation company about possible insurance solutions.
  • Commercial relocation is not the same as any other international movers would be; you will require specialised moving services, most likely from a specialised moving company (office movers).
  • Moving services are a must if you are moving overseas. It is not something you can affordably achieve without the help of a moving company (in Singapore or in your home country). Contact SPIC today so that we can put you in touch with our international mover division.