Are you a foreigner working in Singapore? Build Wealth That Works for You

Click here to find out why global investors across more than 100 regions worldwide choose FSM Global as their trusted investment platform.

The Real Cost of Living in Singapore

Singapore is one of the most dynamic cities in the world — a gateway to Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, a hub of opportunity, and a model of stability. For the hundreds of thousands of foreign workers and professionals who call it home, the Lion City offers careers, connections, and a standard of living that few places can match.

But there’s another side to the story. Singapore consistently ranks among the most expensive cities on the planet. Rents for private apartments have surged significantly in recent years — a one-bedroom unit outside the city centre can easily set you back SGD 2,800 to SGD 3,500 a month, while a CBD apartment may cost SGD 4,000 or more. Add daily expenses, transport, and the fact that foreign residents are not eligible for subsidised local housing, and the financial pressure is real.

According to research* done by payroll company, ADP, about 60% of workers in Singapore live paycheck to paycheck — the highest rate in Asia-Pacific. And while Singapore’s headline inflation may appear modest, the effective cost pressure on middle-income households is estimated to run 4–6% above wage growth. Living expenses, in short, have been rising faster than salaries.

For foreign workers in particular, there is an additional layer of financial complexity: the career in Singapore may be for a fixed tenure, the family’s future may lie elsewhere, and every financial decision carries a cross-border dimension. The question isn’t just how to afford life here today — it’s how to make your earnings in Singapore work harder for the future, wherever that future may be.

Why Investing Matters — Especially for You

Earning a salary is a start. But in a city as expensive as Singapore, earning alone will rarely be enough to build lasting wealth. The workers who achieve genuine financial security are those who put their money to work — investing systematically while they have the income to do so.

Consider the power of compounding. A monthly investment of SGD 500 over 10 years, at an average annual return of 7%, could grow to over SGD 87,000 — significantly more than the SGD 60,000 you put in. The earlier you start, the more time compound growth has to work in your favour.

For foreign workers, there is an urgency that local residents may not feel as acutely. Without access to CPF (compulsory saving scheme by the government) that systematically accumulate savings on your behalf in the same way as Singaporeans, the financial safety net depends almost entirely on what you build yourself. Investing is not a luxury — it is the mechanism by which the time in Singapore translates into long-term financial resilience.

Beyond retirement, investing also helps you hedge against currency risk, build a portfolio that reflects your global life, and stay ahead of inflation — so that the money you earn in Singapore retains its value no matter where you eventually go.

Meet FSM Global: Your One-Stop Wealth Platform

Founded in Singapore in 2000, FSM Global — the business-to-consumer (B2C) platform of SGX-listed iFAST Corporation — was built with a single mission: to help investors everywhere invest globally and profitably. What began as an online platform making unit trusts more accessible to the public has evolved into a comprehensive wealth management platform, and in 2026, the rebranding to FSM Global from FSMOne marked its next chapter: a truly international platform designed for investors who live and think beyond borders.

With offices across Singapore, Hong Kong, and a related entity (iFAST Global Bank) in UK, FSM Global is strategically positioned at the heart of the world’s major financial centres. Its platform gives you access to various investment products, spanning:

• Unit Trusts (Funds) — over 2,500 funds from leading global asset managers
• Stocks & ETFs — trade listed securities across US, UK, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore
• Bonds — including USD-denominated wholesale bonds from as low as USD 5,000 for eligible investors
• FSM Managed Portfolios (MAPS) — professionally managed, diversified portfolios that are monitored and rebalanced by our team of experts
• Regular Savings Plans (RSP) — invest a fixed amount every month into funds, ETFs, or MAPS — a powerful way to build wealth steadily
• Auto-Sweep — earn yield on idle cash
• Insurance & Estate Planning — a complete wealth ecosystem that secure your future and helps with your legacy planning

FSM Global’s fee structure is transparent and competitive, with no account opening fee, no minimum holdings requirement, and no inactivity charges. You know exactly what you’re paying for — and there are no surprises.

Crucially, the platform is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), providing institutional-grade investor protection and strong data security standards.

Investing Profitably — From Anywhere in the World

One of the most significant features of FSM Global, particularly for the globally mobile professional, is that it was designed from the ground up to serve investors who move. Whether you are currently based in Singapore, have returned to your home country, or have relocated to a third market, your FSM Global account travels with you.

Non-Singaporeans and non-residents are welcome to open an account. The onboarding process is fully digital — no branch visits, no paperwork queues. You will need a valid passport and standard identification documents, and your account can be approved and ready to trade within minutes.

Our notable key features include:

• Multi-Currency Cash Account — supporting 12 currencies, with real-time FX rates and currency conversion tools, no lock-in period, and no minimum balance requirements
• Global Market Access — trade across Singapore, Hong Kong, US, Malaysia, UK, and China A-shares from a single account
• SRS Investing - Foreigners who contribute to SRS to reduce their tax liability can further utilise FSM Global to invest in a wide suite of products to generate higher returns.
• Automated Portfolio Management — MAPS builds and rebalances your portfolio for you; set up monthly contributions or invest a lump sum
• Research & Insights — access timely market analysis, fund comparisons, and investment ideas from FSM Global’s dedicated research team
• Seamless Fund Transfers — move funds across borders with the security and reliability of a Singapore-regulated platform

The platform’s headquarters in Singapore — one of the world’s most trusted and well-regulated financial centres — means your investments are custodied in a jurisdiction with robust legal protections, independent of political volatility in your home market. For foreign workers who may face uncertainty in their home countries’ financial systems, this provides a meaningful layer of peace of mind.

Start Building Your Wealth Today

You came to Singapore to build a better life. FSM Global helps you make the most of every dollar you earn here — turning your income into a portfolio that grows with you, whether you stay for two years or twenty.

Opening an account is completely free, takes just minutes online, and requires no minimum investment. The longer you wait, the more compounding time you lose.

Click here to open your FSM Global account today.

Need help or advice?

Call us at +65 6557 2853 or send us an email to clienthelp@fundsupermart.com if you encounter any difficulties in getting started.

Keen to know how to craft a globally diversified portfolio that requires minimal monitoring? Feel free to reach out to our friendly and professional advisory team at advisory@fundsupermart.com.

*Source: 2025 People at Work Report