Spoiler: No! And here’s what you can do instead. If you’ve started researching how to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR),...

A friend asked me recently, “Is it worth applying for Singapore PR? ”He’d been here for four years, working at a tech firm in the CBD, renting a condo near Tiong Bahru, and was starting to feel that sense of belonging you get after a while. If you’ve ever found yourself in that same spot, wondering whether to take the leap, this guide is for you. Singapore offers several Permanent Residency (PR) schemes , and the right one depends very much on who you are: a professional, inv

The Singapore Expat Association (SEA) is thrilled to partner with Cerebral Games Trivia Nights, bringing together curious minds, global perspectives, and a shared love for a good challenge. This collaboration is all about building community, connecting expats and locals through laughter, learning, and a touch of friendly competition. Whether you’re new to Singapore or a long-time resident, these trivia nights offer the perfect chance to meet people, explore new venues, and ex

If you’ve been working in Singapore for a while, you’ll know that life here moves fast. Many foreigners start out just wanting experience, maybe two or three years. But then something changes. The convenience, safety, and way of life slowly grow on you. That’s when you start thinking, maybe I should stay longer . And for most professionals, that next big step means applying for Permanent Residency (PR) . As someone who has helped clients with work passes and PR matters for ye

As both a mother and a psychotherapist, I’ve spent years observing what it means to grow up between worlds, and what it means to raise a child who belongs everywhere, yet sometimes feels like she belongs nowhere. Through my work and personal journey, I’ve come to see how important community and understanding are for families like ours. That’s why I’m grateful for the collaboration between the Singapore Expat Association (SEA)  and TCK (Third Culture Kids)  — together, we’re c

If you’ve worked in Singapore for a while, you’ll know that your work pass isn’t just a card in your wallet. It’s basically your key to everything, your job, your apartment lease, even your Singpass login. So when the time comes to renew it, you don’t want to find yourself panicking at the last minute. Having helped a few colleagues and clients go through this process, I’ve seen how small details can cause big delays. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) doesn’t play around when it

When people talk about Singapore’s future, two issues keep coming up: the ageing population and the low birth rate. These are not just numbers tucked away in a government report. If you live here, you can probably see it in daily life. Void decks are busier with seniors than children, schools are merging because of smaller intakes, and hospitals are expanding geriatric wards. Singapore is Getting Older, Fast Walk around mature estates like Toa Payoh or Ang Mo Kio and it becom

Where Authentic Italian Dining Meets Singapore’s City Life If you are looking for a family-friendly Italian restaurant in Singapore or a cozy place for weekday office lunches, Acqua e Farina at Keong Saik is a perfect choice. Run by Chef Antonio Manetto from Naples and Chef Roberto Galbiati from Milan, this restaurant brings together the best of Northern Italian cuisine and Southern Italian flavours. After winning over diners at The Rail Mall, Acqua e Farina now welcomes gues

You know that feeling when you're in a city that's more than just a place to live? That's Singapore for so many of us. But if you listen closely, beyond the city's lively pulse, you can hear a quiet, profound change happening. It's a shift that touches everyone who calls this island home—including you and me. We’re seeing something beautiful and challenging all at once: Singapore is gracefully getting older, and fewer of its people are having children. It’s a trend we see in

When PaintBlush began working with the Expat Association Singapore, the goal was to make creative experiences more welcoming for both expatriates and locals. For newcomers to Singapore, it offers a lighthearted way to explore something different and ease into the local culture. More than just a workshop, it’s a relaxed space to unwind, pick up a brush, and enjoy the simple pleasure of creating art. In a fast-paced city, PaintBlush provides a gentle reminder to slow down and r

In Singapore, the immigration industry has grown into a familiar presence. From the MRT trains to digital ads on social media, companies...

Budget-Smart Luxury_ How Villas Can Cost Less Than Hotels for Groups (Real Math, Real Dates) The group chat lights up. Someone drops the magic words: “Long weekend coming up—where are we going?” For Singapore’s expat crowd, that familiar buzz usually signals one thing: it’s time to plan another escape. The school calendar’s been studied, public holidays have been color-coded, and suddenly, begins the mad dash to secure a place that fits everyone’s wishlist. Comfort for the ad

Applying for Singapore citizenship is rarely a small decision. For many foreigners who have lived here for years, it feels like a way of...

Image courtesy sipf.sg The Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) has always been more than just a showcase of striking images. Running this year from 18 October to 24 November 2024, the 8th edition has taken over familiar spots around town, from DECK at Prinsep Street to Gillman Barracks and the National Library Building. Now that the festival is into its second week, the city feels like it has quietly slipped into a rhythm where photographs are not just being l

Singaporean life is paradise—hawker food, mobile kopis, clockwork city. Effortlessness can, though, imperceptibly divert glucose, slumber, and mood in unintended negative trajectories. If you find yourself crash-ing post-lunch, stubborn fat despite “light eating,” 2 a.m. wake-up encounters following sluggish calls, know this: you don’t stand in solitary isolation. The good news: certain Singaporean-specific switches can keep you social, enjoy the eating out experience, and pr

In the global competition for talent, capital, and innovation, Singapore has long stood out as a destination that values not only what an...

As the sun dips low over the skyline, Singapore will come alive with the warm glow of Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. For expatriates weaving their lives into the fabric of this multicultural mosaic, this Hindu holiday isn't just a public holiday it's a golden opportunity to step beyond the familiar, light up your social calendar, and spark meaningful conversations with locals. At the Singapore Expats Association, we believe that true integration blooms from shared experie

In an effort to provide greater value to the expatriate community in Singapore, the Singapore Expat Association has formed a strategic...

When I first decided to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR), I thought the process would be fairly straightforward. After all,...

Look, moving to a new country is a rollercoaster. One minute you're buzzing with excitement, the next you're trying to figure out if...