Banking services

Banking services

In Singapore, opening a bank account is very simple. You can do this even if you are not yet 21 years old. It will be enough to deposit the minimum amount into the account (about SGD100), present a passport and student ID or confirmation of enrollment in a Singapore educational institution.

You will be given a card with which you can withdraw money from an ATM and make payments in the NETS system (Singapore system of cashless payments).

Food 

If in Singapore you live in a local family or on a university campus, meals are likely to be included in the cost of living. If you rent an apartment or a house, from time to time you will have to cook it yourself.

Singapore has a wide selection of quality, fresh and affordable products. It’s probably the cheapest way to buy groceries and everyday goods at NTUC FairPrice supermarkets. In larger hypermarkets, the assortment is wider, but prices are usually higher, although there are good discounts. For grocery and domestic shopping, you can recommend such stores as Carrefour (Suntec City Mall) and Tops (Great World City). In addition, literally in all areas of the city there are 7-Eleven chain stores. They work around the clock, seven days a week.

Cafes and restaurants

Singapore's cuisine is as cosmopolitan as the local population. In Singapore, you can find absolutely everything - Italian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, American, Vietnamese, Indonesian and even African cuisine. What can we say about the variety of Chinese dishes! There are many world-class restaurants in Singapore. Of course, they are expensive, and still try to save some money in order to try the famous chili crab, preferably in the quarters of Clarke Quay or Boat Quay.

I must say that Singapore is full of very inexpensive and very tasty local food, which can be bought in many cafes and restaurants or right on the street. This kind of food is popular among students. Do not be afraid to buy food from trays, in Singapore adhere to the most stringent hygiene standards. Food from the trays is the cheapest, you can eat for only three dollars! The most popular dishes are laksa, satey, fried rice noodles and chicken with rice.

Most of the trays with good food are located on Bugis Street, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Food Street and Maxwell Road Market, but you will certainly find some good places in your quarter. By the way, in Singapore it is not customary to tip, since they are already included in the invoice in the amount of 10% of the order amount. In some places (for example, at the airport), giving and receiving tips is simply forbidden.

Work for students

According to the Singapore Labor Law, working and volunteering in the country, with rare exceptions, are prohibited to foreigners with student visas.

Medical service

After moving to Singapore, you must register with your local doctor. Students are not required to buy health insurance, but keep in mind that medical care in Singapore can be very expensive, and without insurance you risk a lot.

Emergency services

If necessary, in Singapore you can use the following numbers: 999 - police, 995 - ambulance and fire service.