The Fernshore Index
The factors digital nomads look at first.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Internet
62 of 100Mixed
27.81 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
Work and career
15 of 100Weak
Weak: neither test holds. The pages read show work passes with salary tests (about S$30,000 and about S$22,500 a month) and no residence route for remote workers, and fixed broadband is 27.81 per 100 people (2024), under the 30 line. To be safe, have more than S$31,000.
Source: Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass: eligibility; Personalised Employment Pass: eligibility; Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
Cost of living
53 of 100Mixed
Price level 0.605 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
Unknown
Research for United States passports is being checked
Visa, Canada passport
Unknown
Research for Canada passports is being checked
Visa, Australia passport
Unknown
Research for Australia passports is being checked
Visa, New Zealand passport
Unknown
Research for New Zealand passports is being checked
Community
67 of 100Strong
Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 12th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
0 of 100Weak
Singapore, using Changi station: every month has an average daily high above 30 °C (the coolest, December, is 30.5 °C), so 0 comfortable months a year.
Source: Climate of Singapore: climate station means 1991–2020, Changi. Checked 15 October 2026.
Lifestyle
85 of 100Strong
Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 2nd of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
The rest of the research on Singapore.
The country page grades every factor, with its sources.
SingaporeQuestions from digital nomads about Singapore.
Is there a digital nomad visa for Singapore?
We found none. The ONE Pass asks for a fixed monthly salary for 12 months (to be safe, more than S$31,000) at an established company. MOM says other income may be considered case by case, but we found no rule for freelance income, so a freelancer may have no pass designed for them.
Can a freelancer work for overseas clients on a visit pass?
ICA says visit pass holders may not do any paid or unpaid employment, business, profession or occupation unless they hold a work pass or do an exempt activity. MOM's answer for Dependant's Pass holders is more relaxed but does not cover visitors, so this is unconfirmed. Ask MOM.
How do days count for Singapore tax if I keep moving?
At 183 days or more in a calendar year you are a tax resident. IRAS describes the 60-day exemption for employees of foreign employers. For non-resident professionals such as consultants it lists withholding of 15% of gross or 24% of net. For freelancers it looks at where operations are based.
Can I open a Singapore bank account on a visit pass?
That is not known. DBS, one large bank, lists an Employment or S Pass, a Student, Dependant or Long-Term Visit Pass, or an in-principle approval as proof for foreigners, and it does not list a short visit pass. Other banks may differ, so ask before you rely on an account.
How does short-stay housing work in Singapore?
Private homes can only be let to occupants staying at least three consecutive months, not daily or weekly. Public (HDB) flats are closed to tourists. CEA says no payment is needed to secure a viewing and payments go to the owner, not the agent. Short-stay prices are unknown here.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Singapore, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 27.81 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [O1] Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass: eligibility, Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026. Page last updated 14 September 2026. A work pass for top talent: a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 for the 12 months before applying, or a Singapore employer offering it, or outstanding achievements in some sectors; up to 5 years, renewable. The page mentions no nationality restriction. Not a remote-worker or retirement route.
- [O2] Personalised Employment Pass: eligibility, Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026. Page last updated 27 November 2024 (key facts page 22 March 2024). A work pass for high earners: a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 (overseas applicants: last drawn within 6 months), up to 3 years, issued once and not renewable; the holder must stay employed in Singapore (up to 6 months without a job). The pages mention no nationality restriction.
- [C1] Price level index (GDP), Singapore, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 60.49 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Singapore ranks 12th of 31 countries (read from the page's full ranking graphic).
- [W1] Climate of Singapore: climate station means 1991–2020, Changi, Meteorological Service Singapore (National Environment Agency). Checked 15 October 2026. Page last modified 21 August 2024; table 'Records of Climate Station Means (Climatological Reference Period: 1991-2020)' from Changi Climate Station, on the east of the island and used for the whole country. Mean daily maximum 30.5 to 32.4 °C; monthly rainfall 105.1 to 331.9 mm. Singapore is not in the WMO normals archive that Thailand's files use.
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Singapore ranks 2nd of 31 countries.