With the Singapore government officially announcing that from April 1st, Singapore will fully reopen, the entire entry policy will be almost the same as in 2019 before COVID. In stark contrast is Hong Kong, where the SAR government has stated it will not follow Singapore’s pace towards a full reopening. Against this backdrop, although some may consider settling in Hong Kong, it is not so easy, especially for families who want better basic education for their children—after all, education cannot wait. Of course, besides this point, Singapore has many other advantages that earn it the title of “better.”
Let’s first talk about education. Many parents choose to settle in other regions to provide a better educational environment for their children, and Hong Kong and Singapore have always been popular choices. Although both Hong Kong and Singapore implement bilingual education, one of the languages in Hong Kong is Cantonese, not Mandarin, which makes it difficult for many children from non-Cantonese-speaking regions to adapt. In contrast, Singapore’s bilingual education consists of English and Mandarin, allowing more students to learn and communicate without barriers. At the same time, the Singapore government offers special consideration for young students, being one of the few countries in the world that allows young children to study abroad with a guardian (especially through the mother’s accompanying pass policy). Children aged 6 to 16 can attend primary and secondary schools in Singapore, and their mother or a direct female relative can apply for an accompanying pass. Under certain conditions, the accompanying parent is even allowed to work legally.
Of course, Singapore’s advantages are not limited to education; they also extend to talent policies, infrastructure, and living environment. Regarding Singapore’s talent policy, it is considerably lenient in comparison. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has no limit on the number of Employment Passes (EP) it issues, unlike Hong Kong’s “Quality Migrant Admission Scheme,” which has strict quotas. Hong Kong issues only 2,000 quotas for its scheme annually, with very strict screening criteria and requirements. Moreover, after holding an Employment Pass and working in Singapore for six months, one can apply for Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status.
When developing a career abroad, one naturally desires to own a home, which brings us to Singapore’s extremely relaxed property purchasing conditions. Unlike other countries and regions, the barrier for foreigners to buy a condominium in Singapore is very low. The annual interest rate for home loans typically ranges between 1% and 1.8%, which is very favorable. This is an undeniable advantage compared to Hong Kong. So, if you have property purchasing needs, you can contact experienced local property agent Leo Kwek, who can provide more professional and comprehensive answers.
Meanwhile, thanks to Singapore’s well-developed infrastructure, life in the city is incredibly convenient. Regardless of which area you live in, you can enjoy convenient public transport. Singapore’s airport is also world-renowned; under normal circumstances, a plane takes off or lands at Changi International Airport every 84 seconds on average. Now that the Singapore government has announced its full reopening, flights affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will gradually resume, making it very easy to travel to and from various parts of the world.
Furthermore, Singapore’s title as a “Garden City” reflects its beauty and livability. With over 350 parks and four nature reserves scattered across the island, you can always be close to nature, breathe fresh air, and even encounter wildlife, offering a very pleasant living experience. If you love nature, the lush greenery of Singapore is undoubtedly a great choice. If this makes you consider settling in Singapore, feel free to contact Leo Kwek at any time; he will offer useful advice and patient answers.
Finally, whether you are looking to create better educational opportunities for your children or to move to a more livable place to live and work, Singapore is a better choice. Of course, if you wish to gather more information about settling in Singapore before making a decision, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to provide you with detailed explanations.
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