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Moving to India from Singapore
Guide for Costs, Taxes, Visas and Life in India
Moving to India is an exciting journey where you will witness the rich culture, the wonders of Bollywood, amazing food, beautiful nature, and incredible historical sites. Before focusing on the fun, there are necessary parts that you need to consider, such as visas, healthcare, job opportunities, and moving costs, not to mention finding a moving company! With our guide, you will find the important things to consider when moving to India.
What can you find here?
Cost of Moving to India
The average cost of moving from Singapore to India is between S$ 7,484 and 19,090.
The cost of moving to India from Singapore varies based on the time of the year, the shipping method, and the weight/amount of belongings being shipped. Below you can find the average prices for sea freight shipments to India:
| Size of the House | Costs |
| 1 bedroom house | S$ 7,484-8,273 |
| 3 bedroom house | S$ 11,514-12,727 |
| 5 bedroom house | S$ 17,272-19,090 |
*These costs are estimates and may fluctuate based on season, shipment weight, and route.
International Movers and Packers Singapore to India
The right moving company can make your overseas moving process much more relaxing and easy. The best way to find movers is by looking at their reputation, the reviews, and if they are part of accredited associations.
- Moovaz
- Nayak Freight
9 ratings as "Good Communication"
- Movers Inn
1 ratings as "Efficient"
Our platform offers reviews from verified independent accounts. If you prefer doing your research, have a look at our top international movers in India.
Before moving, it’s best to know the volume of your move. Knowing this will help you understand the cost of your move and how to request quotes from movers. Use our volume calculator below to get the most accurate volume estimates.
Request Quotes
Requesting moving quotes will give you the most accurate costs of moving. The best way is to request 3+ quotes and compare the offers to find the best deal. Fill in our Sirelo quote form and receive up to 5 offers from movers for free.
Tax Rate in India
The income taxes in India are complicated compared to Singapore, so if you stay in the country for longer than 182 days and therefore are required to pay income tax, we recommend you seek the help of a professional accountant. The Indian and Singaporean governments have a tax treaty between each other, so you won’t need to pay double tax.
The Indian currency is the rupee (INR) and the current exchange rate from Singapore dollars to rupee is 1 SGD = 64,71 INR.
You might be used to having cash as an emergency reserve when moving abroad, but India does not allow foreigners to bring rupees to the country. The best thing to do is get rupees when you arrive at a local bank such as the Reserve Bank of India.
Banking in India
Before moving to India you need to see if your bank will be operational there. If you are a customer of the State Bank of India, you likely won’t have to change your bank, but other banks might have different set-ups. In case you need to open a bank account, the most well-known bank names in India are listed below:
Indian Visa Requirements
When moving to India, you must sort out your visa first. Visa application processes can take a while, so starting it well in advance is advised. Unless you go to India on holiday, you must go through the Indian High Commission in Singapore, since an e-visa will not be accepted for longer stays or permanent moves.
You can view the Singapore Government page for more information on visa requirements and the documents required for Indian visas. If you need an employment visa, you must have an existing work contract in India and your company can help you apply for the working visa.
Healthcare in India
The healthcare in India is divided into public and private healthcare. There are large differences in healthcare between rural and urban areas. The people who can afford private healthcare will always opt for it in India. Private healthcare has much higher standards and is recommended for expats.
It’s advised that expats in India opt for international health insurance to have the best healthcare options available. International health insurance plans generally offer a wider range of benefits than local ones, which may be useful.
Work in India
India is a fast-growing market that offers many work opportunities for expats, especially in the technology departments. The average salary in India is approximately 9,45,489 rupees per year. The actual pay in India depends on your experience, but also a lot on the city you work in.
Searching for a job in India can be challenging if you don’t know where to start. Like any country, they have their preferred websites for job searching. The best place to start is the sites below.
Education in India
Education in India consists of informal or informal education routes. The formal education route consists of five years in primary school, three years in middle school, and two years of high school, followed by a university or college education. Informal education does not have a set curriculum but focuses more on training for a profession and internships.
The best cities for education in India are the bigger cities and metropolitan areas, most of which are also the best cities for expats. There are many ongoing efforts in India to improve education levels.
Moving Abroad to India Checklist
Before you can move abroad to India you need to get your documents in check. In addition to having a valid visa, a few other necessary documents are required.
- Valid passport
- Medical records (dental and overall history)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage license (if applicable)
- University degrees and school degrees
- Proof of employment (if applicable)
- Accommodation details
Cost of Living in Singapore vs. India
The cost of living in India is around 72% lower than in Singapore. You might live a more luxurious life in India and be able to afford everyday luxuries you couldn’t afford in Singapore.
Below you can find the average prices of some basic products in Singapore vs. India:
| Product | Price in Singapore | Price in India |
| Domestic beer (0,5L) | S$ 10,00 | S$ 3,09 |
| Cappuccino | S$ 6,43 | S$ 2,97 |
| Water bottle | S$ 1.52 | S$ 0,26 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | S$12,56 | S$ 4,67 |
| Bottle of wine | S$ 35,00 | S$ 13,91 |
| Monthly bus pass | S$ 120,00 | S$ 15,46 |
| 3 br apartment in center rent | S$ 7,319.15 | S$ 952,86 |
*These costs are from September 2024. Source: Numbeo
In case you need your Singapore dollars turned into rupees while in India, having a trusted currency exchange provider is crucial. Remember that you will not be allowed to bring rupees to India as a foreigner, so wait until you arrive to exchange your money.
The Do’s and Dont’s in Indian Culture
Do's
No shoes indoors
Dress conservative
Wash your hands before and after eating
Dont's
Avoid touching people with your left hand
Don't whistle or wink
Indian Culture and Customs
Indian culture is historically rich and ever-evolving. We have gathered a list of things to know about Indian culture below:
- Cows in India – a cow in Indian culture is considered sacred and a symbol of wealth, strength, and fertility. People will not eat cow meat and cows are also respected when wandering in the streets.
- Bollywood – Bollywood heavily influences all aspects of Indian culture from fashion to politics. The cinematic culture of Bollywood has helped India reform its identity after becoming independent of British control.
- Patriarchy – India has a strong patriarchal culture when it comes to gender roles compared to many countries, including Singapore. This may also show in the workplace.
- Wealth gap – India has a strong wealth gap which shows heavily in the cities and city borders. The lower-income population often targets tourists for money. Due to this expats, especially women, should be careful walking alone in strange neighbourhoods at night.
- Religion – India has a strong religious culture. The main religions in India are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. This means there are many public holidays in different areas of India.
Now that you have learned of these Indian cultural customs, we hope you feel prepared to learn more about your new destination.
Vaccinations for India Trip
Moving to India or visiting India may require some vaccinations. Certain viruses are spreading in India like the Zika virus. Booking an appointment with your doctor before moving is advised so you can go through the vaccination requirements and receive them in advance.
See here for a full overview of the vaccinations needed for India.
Best Cities to Live in India
India is a big country and finding the right places to live as a foreigner can be challenging. Are you looking for nature, city life, incredible food, or a rich history? No doubt, you can find all of these in India, but make sure to do your research beforehand.
We have gathered below the best places in India to live as expats:
- Bengaluru – Bengaluru is a great city for expats looking to be part of the tech world and the city is rapidly growing with start-ups and tech companies. This offers ample job opportunities for expats. The Town also has numerous international schools and green areas.
- Pune – If you are looking for many expat job opportunities Pune might be the best choice. It has a rich cosmopolitan lifestyle, beautiful nature, excellent international schools, and many English speakers.
- Chandigarh – This city is the best option for nature-loving expats. There is beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in. It’s known for its modern architecture and cleanliness.
- Kolkata – Kolkata is a culinary heaven for expats, due to its varied nationality of the population the culinary options are limitless. The city is known for its architecture and historical sights. If you love food and history this could be the place for you.
- Mumbai – Mumbai is one of the best-known cities in India. Mumbai has high pollution levels, but if you enjoy a busy city environment you’ll feel right at home. As the financial capital, it doesn’t lack entertainment or job opportunities. Mumbai is also home to the Bollywood industry and the most populated city in India.
Ready to Move to India
Now that we have covered the important aspects, it’s time to get excited about your move. We hope you feel confident in your knowledge about life in India and that you are ready to request your moving quotes. If you are left with any questions please refer to the FAQs below.
