Your Guide on Moving to the US from Singapore

From dominating popular culture to the news headlines, the United States (US) is often at the forefront of people’s relocation wishlist. A melting pot of different cultures, religions and even landscapes, there’s so much to discover and enjoy when living in the US. Regardless of whether you are choosing to move from Singapore to the US for a new job or simply a lifestyle change, relocating internationally takes some significant organisation and preparation. While it is a highly exciting opportunity, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the task.

At Allied International Movers, we’ve helped thousands of individuals and families move from Singapore to their new homes across the US. Using our wealth of experience and knowledge, we’ve created this ultimate guide so you are well equipped to make the move to the United States. 

American culture 

Moving to a new country means adapting to a new culture. While there are many similarities to Singaporean and American culture, there are also just as many differences. One of the biggest differences is tipping hospitality and other service workers. You will need to tip at least 15-20% on top of the total cost.

Americans are well-known for being highly friendly, and tend to be direct and informal in conversations. When doing business, a handshake is the standard greeting for both men and women. It’s best to address business associates formally and the giving of gifts at business meetings is not common practice.

Many Americans are highly patriotic of their country, taking great pride in displaying the American flag and celebrating holidays such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Halloween, which is on the 31st of October, is a celebration for the Western Christian feast of All Saints’ Day. Although technically a religious festival, Halloween tends to be celebrated by all cultures and religions living in the US. Children, teenagers and many adults will dress up in costumes to ‘trick-or-treat’, which involves going house to house and asking for candy. 

What to know about moving to the United States

Excited about making the move to the US? Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags and book your flights from Singapore. 

Visas

When it comes to moving to the US, obtaining the right visa is essential. If you are wanting to work, study and live in the US, then you will require a visa to do so. There are three primary avenues of immigration to the US for Singaporeans: family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, and a student visa.

Employment-based immigration

If you are wanting to relocate using an employment-based visa, your employer is required to get an approval of a labour certification from the Department of Labor. The employer then files an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker form through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This must be completed before the visa application is processed. If you are considered to have “extraordinary abilities”, within the sciences, arts, education or business, through sustained national or international acclaim, you can file an EB-1A petition yourself.

Family-based & Fiancé immigration 

To immigrate to the US, you must first petition USCIS and have this approved. A petition is defined as a request of the Government, which in an immigration context involves submitting an immigration form.

Following petition approval, you apply for a non-immigrant visa or for an immigrant visa for a spouse. You can find more information regarding required forms and any corresponding fees on the USCIS website or our agents at Allied can help arrange these forms.

For fiancés of American citizens, a K-1 visa permits the foreigner to visit the US and marry their partner within 90 days of arrival. They must apply for this visa after first petitioning the USCIS.

Student visa

If you are wanting to study in the US, you will need to receive an offer from a US university before you apply for your study visa. As immigration to the US is hugely popular, it can take some time for your visa to be processed and approved so it’s important to factor this into your plans. For more information on US visas, visit the US Department of State website and the US Embassy in Singapore website. 

Cost of Living

The cost of living in the United States can significantly differ depending on where you decide to live. The larger cities such as New York City, Los Angeles and Miami are considered the most expensive, with California, Oregon and Hawaii ranking highly for cost of living. The more affordable states tend to be in the Midwest and South of the US. On average, you will likely pay more for eating out and groceries in the US than in Singapore. Transportation, entertainment and clothing are cheaper than in Singapore, however education is considerably more expensive in the US. If renting in New York City, the cost of housing is more expensive than in Singapore, but on average it is cheaper to rent in the US. 

Money & Taxes

In the United States, the currency is the United States Dollar ($USD). At the time of writing, the Singapore dollar (SG$1) is worth USD$0.76. Tax can be more complicated in the US than in Singapore, so it’s recommended to use a tax agent. There is no current US and Singapore tax treaty so you may be subjected to double taxation.  

Climate

As the United States is roughly 13,600 times bigger than Singapore, the climate can vary greatly depending on where you are living. Unlike in Singapore, you will experience a wide range of different temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year. The biggest difference will be winter, as temperatures in the US tend to average out to 0.7℃ (excluding Hawaii and Alaska). Also, it is important to note that the US uses Fahrenheit opposed to Celsius to measure their temperatures. 

Life in the United States

Now that you have a better understanding of what you need to know before immigrating to the United States, what will life be like once you get there?

Finding work

As mentioned above, you will need the right visa in order to legally work in the US. We recommend that you secure a job before immigrating to the US as your visa is more likely to be accepted. Otherwise, some industries with the most immigrant workers include manufacturing, construction, food production, accommodation, and computer and electronic products. 

Housing

The types and cost of housing will vary depending on where you intend to live. In bigger cities, such as Los Angeles and New York City, you will find housing to be expensive and often will be apartments or units. In less populated areas, larger houses and properties are available for a more affordable price. According to Statista, the average monthly cost for a  two-bedroom apartment rental is USD$1,295 (or SG$1,706). You can purchase property in the US if you are not a citizen, and can even apply for a mortgage. However you will need to comply with their tax regulations, so researching thoroughly would help. 

Healthcare

Receiving medical treatment can be incredibly costly without health insurance in the US. Some employers may offer health insurance as part of an employee’s salary package, however this may not cover all types of care and can vary by business. It is highly recommended that you have adequate healthcare coverage when working, studying and living in the US. Otherwise, you may risk paying a big sum for emergency or other healthcare. 

Transportation 

Unlike Singapore, car ownership is hugely popular in the United States - especially in smaller cities and towns. Larger cities such as New York City and Washington D.C. do have considerably good public transportation systems, however do not expect the same cleanliness and punctuality as in Singapore.  

Make your move to the United States today!

Relocating from Singapore to the United States involves important decisions on how to make sure it goes as seamlessly as possible. Involving a professional from the start is the smartest route. For international relocation or corporate relocations, our solutions help simplify the process. Contact us today to begin discussing your specific relocation requirements and receive a free quote.