Foreign ownership of landed homes here is set to be tightened, four years after the Residential Property Act was last revised. The latest changes to the law, tabled yesterday in Parliament, include more stringent penalties and come at a time when residential property prices have risen significantly while some fines and jail terms have been the same since 1974. The newest requirement is for Singaporeans...
Foreigners
Singapore continues to offer the best living environment for Asian expatriates. This is according to the latest Location Ratings for expatriate living conditions published by ECA International. This is the 11th year in a row that Singapore has held pole position. ECA International's Location Ratings system is used to assist international HR departments to establish expatriate allowances which compensate...
EXPATRIATES in Singapore feel fairly secure about staying here despite the global economic downturn. A recent global survey by HSBC has shown that 91 per cent of 192 expatriates living in Singapore said that they have not considered returning home despite the downturn. This is higher than the global average of 85 per cent, said HSBC in its annual "Expat Explorer" survey released yesterday. More than...
SINGAPORE’S drive to become an education hub is providing a form of support for the home leasing market. According to property and student agents, more international students in Singapore are turning to condominiums for accommodation even as the more traditional hostels and HDB flats remain in hot demand. The influx of foreign students has visibly strengthened since the Economic Development Board...
Proportion of buyers with an HDB address looks set to increase WITH foreign buyers pulling out of Singapore's property market on the back of deteriorating global economic conditions, Housing Development Board upgraders are forming an increasingly important group of buyers here. According to a recent DTZ analysis of private property caveats lodged in the third quarter, purchasers with HDB addresses make...
Make it easier for expatriates to buy houses they can live in WITH Singapore's safe track record and attractions, such as the two integrated resorts to be completed in a couple of years, this is the best time to attract more foreign entrepreneurs to Singapore. But not all foreign entrepreneurs can afford or are willing to pay for high-end condominiums as some may prefer to put more money into their...
Fast disappearing are the generous perks offered to people willing to relocate overseas for work stints EXPATS live the good life, according to popular perceptions. Company-provided housing in Districts 10 or 11, children’s school fees, cars, home leave and more do indeed make the expat lifestyle alluring. A predominance of Western and North Asian expats in past years has given way to ever more...
Singapore will introduce a new Long Term Pass (LTP) card to all foreigners residing in Singapore on Student’s Pass (STP), long term visit pass, Employment Pass (EP) and Dependant’s Pass. The move is part of the government’s initiative to enhance the national security of the country, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a joint statement on...
Singapore is fast rising in the ranks of becoming one of the most expensive cities in Asia for expatriates to live in. The latest Cost of Living survey by consultancy firm ECA International shows that Singapore has leapt 17 places in ranking this year. The city-state is now ranked 13, trailing behind cities such as Beijing, Taipei and Shanghai. Higher food and fuel prices are among the reasons for the...
The shortage of places at international schools in Singapore shows little sign of easing, even as many have announced expansion plans. The latest is Tanglin Trust School which says it will add another 700 places from next year. The situation is of concern among business groups and even the Singapore government. For many foreign companies, doing business in Singapore is getting more costly. Amidst rising...