Question on moving from UK > Singapore

[singapore86]

Hi guys,

I might be going out to Singapore in August to start a new job there. I wanted to ask that I'm thinking about renting an apartment for the first 2 weeks. If I do this though, I can't open a local bank account right? As I need to provide some residency details? What do I do in this case? And if I started employment in the first week of getting there, what bank details do I provide? In the UK my current account is with Lloyds TSB and I have a credit card with Santander. I can't use these cards over there can I?

Thanks.

[JR8]

Hi guys,

I might be going out to Singapore in August to start a new job there. I wanted to ask that I'm thinking about renting an apartment for the first 2 weeks.

Do you mean a serviced Serviced Apartment: During which time you would be flat-hunting for a longer term place?

Depending on what industry you're in and your age/experience it used to be typical to arrive and get provided with a serviced apartment for the first month.

Finding a place in two weeks, having just started a new job would be pretty damned stressful IMHO.

If I do this though, I can't open a local bank account right? As I need to provide some residency details? What do I do in this case?

You need a right to reside (rather than a permanent address). Having a valid work pass grants such a right. So when you arrive and before you find longer-term accommodation, you can open a bank account, and use your office address for bank statements etc, (or a friend or colleagues address), until you have accommodation sorted out.

And if I started employment in the first week of getting there, what bank details do I provide?

As above. You have some documentation that you are entitled to work in Singapore, correct?
You can open a bank account in an hour in Singapore, and walk out the door with all the details, debit card and so on.

In the UK my current account is with Lloyds TSB and I have a credit card with Santander. I can't use these cards over there can I?

Of course you can, that's how tourists here pay for stuff!

p.s. Another tip is bring a wad of Sterling, and change it when you arrive. The FX spreads are razor thin - way better than anything you'll get in the UK. That could tide you over until you have a local bank account and funded it. Some people have brought over £Donkey-chokers in cash and done this before. You can search for other topics on the ins and outs of changing money in SG.

[singapore86]

Thanks very much JR8 - you provide so much helpful information. I am not sure if the company can provide me with a Serviced Apartment yet. I have a phone call with the director this week to talk through it all. I have no paper work yet, just verbal confirmation for now. So it still doesn't mean anything.

I was thinking of just living in a cheap hostel for the first 2-3 weeks if they can't provide me an apartment. It would be stressful though like you mentioned. Good to know that I could just show the bank my 'right to work' paperwork and provide my company's address as my residency.

What bank would you recommend JR8, bearing in mind I would only be in Singapore for 1-1.5 years? I would perhaps need a current debit account in Singapore just for work and stuff. Potentially a credit card too if the company makes me travel over Asia and use hotels etc.