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Relocation research report
Relocation report for Alex Example
Brunei
Singapore
Norway
- Profile
- Remote worker or freelancer
- Citizenship
- Canada
- Lives in
- Canada
- Household
- 1 adult
- Monthly household budget
- CA$4,500 / month
- Moving
- Within 12 months
- Top priorities
- Affordability, Safety, and Digital access
- Regions
- All regions
Created October 6, 2026 · Data as of October 6, 2026 · 116 countries assessed
Prepared by Switch Horizon from public World Bank data and official government sources.
Summary
Out of 116 countries ranked for your priorities (affordability, safety, and digital access), you shortlisted Brunei, Singapore, and Norway. Brunei scores highest at 76/100 and ranks #1 overall for you. The sections below show where each country is strong or weak for you, what your budget means there, how you could get the right to live there, and a step-by-step plan.
Brunei76- Your rank
- #1
- Ranking stability
- Stable
- Strongest for you
- Safety
- Budget equivalent
- CA$1,900
- Right to live
- Visa-free visits up to 90 days
- Realistic long-term route
- None found
Singapore76- Your rank
- #2
- Ranking stability
- Stable
- Strongest for you
- Safety
- Budget equivalent
- CA$3,250
- Realistic long-term route
- Possible
Norway65- Your rank
- #31
- Ranking stability
- Sensitive to your answers
- Strongest for you
- Digital access
- Budget equivalent
- CA$4,900
- Right to live
- Visa-free visits up to 90 days
- Realistic long-term route
- None found
How your priorities were weighted
Each dimension counts according to the importance you gave it. “Not counted” dimensions don't affect the ranking.
- Affordabilityessential
- Safetyessential
- Healthcareimportant
- Governanceimportant
- Civil freedomsa little
- Digital accessessential
- Economya little
Your top 10
Out of 116 countries ranked for your priorities.
- 1Bruneiin report76
- 2Singaporein report76
- 3
South Korea74 - 4
Japan72 - 5
Macao71 - 6
Malaysia71 - 7
Qatar71 - 8
Czechia69 - 9
Estonia69 - 10
Malta69
Your shortlist side by side
| Dimension | Brunei | Singapore | Norway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score · rank | 76 · #1 | 76 · #2 | 65 · #31 |
| Affordability | 61cheaper than Canada, −58% | 34cheaper than Canada, −27% | 14more expensive than Canada, +9% |
| Safety | 98 | 96 | 85 |
| Healthcare | 52 | 78 | 90 |
| Governance | 61 | 92 | 93 |
| Civil freedoms | 22 | 44 | 100 |
| Digital access | 95 | 92 | 99 |
| Economy | 89 | 97 | 91 |
| Budget equivalent (vs. Canada) | CA$1,900 | CA$3,250 | CA$4,900 |
| Right to live | Visa-free visits up to 90 days | Permit status unknown — check the official link | Visa-free visits up to 90 days |
| Realistic long-term route | None found | Possible | None found |
What you'd need each month to buy roughly what CA$4,500 buys in Canada, based on national price levels. City rents can differ a lot.
Why these countries fit you, Alex Example
Brunei (#1 for you) is strongest on what you care about: safety and digital access. The main trade-off is healthcare (score 52).
For you, Singapore (#2) does best on safety, governance, and economy. Its weak point for you is affordability (score 34).
At #31 for you, Norway stands out for digital access, governance, and civil freedoms. Keep an eye on affordability (score 14).
Before deciding, confirm the residence route that fits you on the official pages linked in each country section, and price out rent in the city you'd actually live in.
Brunei
#1 for your priorities
Why it fits you
For your priorities, Brunei stands out on safety (#1 of 116) and digital access (#17 of 116).
Watch out for
Weaker on things you rated important: healthcare (52/100) and governance (61/100).
Your budget there
CA$1,900/ month
To match what CA$4,500 buys in Canada, you'd need about this much in Brunei. Prices are about 58% lower on average (2025 data).
How sure is this ranking?
Stable
Now #1. If any one of your priorities moved a step up or down, it would rank between #1 and #4. It stays in your top 10 in 11 of 11 scenarios.
Compared with Canada
Score difference, Brunei minus Canada (positive = better in Brunei).
- Affordability
- +43
- Safety
- +25
- Healthcare
- −27
- Governance
- −24
- Civil freedoms
- −69
- Digital access
- +3
- Economy
- +4
Dimension scores (rank)
- Affordabilitycheaper than Canada, −58%61#24/116
- Safety98#1/116
- Healthcare52#83/116
- Governance61#39/116
- Civil freedoms22#101/116
- Digital access95#17/116
- Economy89#18/116
Key figures (latest year)
| Price level (US = 100) | 35 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 75.5 | 2024 |
| Doctors per 1,000 people | 1.9 | 2021 |
| Homicides per 100,000 people | — | |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | -0.3% | 2025 |
| People using the internet | 96.3% | 2024 |
| Rule of law (0–100) | 70 | 2025 |
| Political stability (0–100) | 92 | 2025 |
Older data: Doctors per 1,000 people (2021).
Living in Brunei: your options
Realistic long-term route: None found for your situation and budget
With citizenship of Canada, you can visit Brunei without a visa for up to 90 days. Staying longer needs a long-stay visa or residence permit. Official information (www.mfa.gov.bn/Pages/Visa-Information.aspx)Australian, Kuwaiti, Saudi and Qatari citizens can get a visa on arrival instead.Residence routes that match your situation:
EmploymentEmployment Pass (Pas Kerja) (www.immigration.gov.bn/bahagian-pas-kerja)
For foreign workers sponsored by a Brunei employer holding a Foreign Worker Licence from the Labour Department.
For foreign experts and professionals whose expertise is needed for Brunei's development.
Other routes
Recent changes: Official pages are in Malay and publish no financial thresholds; ask the department for the detailed criteria.
Official government source: Immigration and National Registration Department (Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan) (www.immigration.gov.bn)
Residence data checked on October 7, 2026. This is orientation, not legal or immigration advice. Eligibility depends on your full circumstances; confirm with the official authority before applying.
Tax for newcomers in Brunei
Special regime for people who move here and become tax resident. Orientation only: confirm eligibility with the tax authority or a tax adviser.
Applies to everyoneNo personal income tax (www.mof.gov.bn/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7.-Brunei-Darussalam-A-Growing-Investment-Destination.pdf)
The Ministry of Finance and Economy states there is no personal income tax in Brunei Darussalam.
Who qualifies: Applies to all individuals.
Tax authority: Ministry of Finance and Economy – Revenue Division (www.mof.gov.bn)
Singapore
#2 for your priorities
Why it fits you
What makes Singapore a candidate for you: safety (#2 of 116), governance (#6 of 116), and economy (#2 of 116).
Watch out for
Below the rest of your shortlist on: affordability (34/100) and digital access (92/100).
Your budget there
CA$3,250/ month
To match what CA$4,500 buys in Canada, you'd need about this much in Singapore. Prices are about 27% lower on average (2025 data).
How sure is this ranking?
Stable
Now #2. If any one of your priorities moved a step up or down, it would rank between #1 and #2. It stays in your top 10 in 11 of 11 scenarios.
Compared with Canada
Score difference, Singapore minus Canada (positive = better in Singapore).
- Affordability
- +16
- Safety
- +23
- Healthcare
- −1
- Governance
- +7
- Civil freedoms
- −47
- Digital access
- ±0
- Economy
- +12
Dimension scores (rank)
- Affordabilitycheaper than Canada, −27%34#78/116
- Safety96#2/116
- Healthcare78#30/116
- Governance92#6/116
- Civil freedoms44#79/116
- Digital access92#27/116
- Economy97#2/116
Key figures (latest year)
| Price level (US = 100) | 61 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 83.4 | 2024 |
| Doctors per 1,000 people | 2.8 | 2022 |
| Homicides per 100,000 people | 0.1 | 2023 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 0.9% | 2025 |
| People using the internet | 94.4% | 2024 |
| Rule of law (0–100) | 83 | 2025 |
| Political stability (0–100) | 89 | 2025 |
Living in Singapore: your options
Realistic long-term route: Possibly: “EntrePass” (no fixed income threshold to compare)
Permit status unknown — check the official link. From your citizenship we can't confirm whether you need a permit for Singapore. Residence routes that match your situation:
Self-employedEntrePass (www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/eligibility)
For founders of an ACRA-registered private limited company who hold 30%+ of it and meet an innovation criterion such as SGD 100,000 VC funding or an approved incubator.
EmploymentEmployment Pass (www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility)
For foreign professionals, managers and executives earning at least the qualifying salary, which rises with age, and passing the COMPASS points framework.
Minimum income: SGD 5,600 / month (fixed salary, age 23 or below; up to SGD 10,700 at 45+; financial services SGD 6,200)
Your budget is below this threshold (CA$54,000 a year). Threshold ≈ CA$74,666 at the ECB rate of October 9, 2026.
For top talent who earned (or will earn) a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000, or who have outstanding achievements in certain fields.
Minimum income: SGD 30,000 / month (fixed salary)
Your budget is below this threshold (CA$54,000 a year). Threshold ≈ CA$399,994 at the ECB rate of October 9, 2026.
Other routes
Recent changes: The Employment Pass qualifying salary rises to SGD 6,000 (SGD 6,600 for financial services) for new applications from 1 Jan 2027.
Official government source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA); work passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (www.ica.gov.sg)
Residence data checked on October 7, 2026. This is orientation, not legal or immigration advice. Eligibility depends on your full circumstances; confirm with the official authority before applying.
Tax for newcomers in Singapore
Special regime for people who move here and become tax resident. Orientation only: confirm eligibility with the tax authority or a tax adviser.
Generally, overseas income received in Singapore, including overseas income deposited into a Singapore bank account, is not taxable.
Who qualifies: Applies to individuals; exceptions include income via Singapore partnerships, overseas work incidental to Singapore employment, and employment exercised in Singapore for a foreign employer.
Tax authority: Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) (www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax)
Norway
#31 for your priorities
Includes 9 points off for your profile: the same standard of living costs 9% more than your budget (−4) and bottom quarter on affordability, which you marked essential (−5)
Why it fits you
Norway is strongest where you need it: digital access (#6 of 116), governance (#3 of 116), and civil freedoms (#1 of 116).
Watch out for
Check these before deciding: affordability (14/100) and safety (85/100).
Your budget there
CA$4,900/ month
To match what CA$4,500 buys in Canada, you'd need about this much in Norway. Prices are about 9% higher on average (2025 data).
How sure is this ranking?
Sensitive to your answers
Now #31. If any one of your priorities moved a step up or down, it would rank between #7 and #37. It stays in your top 10 in 1 of 11 scenarios.
Compared with Canada
Score difference, Norway minus Canada (positive = better in Norway).
- Affordability
- −4
- Safety
- +12
- Healthcare
- +11
- Governance
- +8
- Civil freedoms
- +9
- Digital access
- +7
- Economy
- +6
Dimension scores (rank)
- Affordabilitymore expensive than Canada, +9%14#105/116
- Safety85#9/116
- Healthcare90#3/116
- Governance93#3/116
- Civil freedoms100#1/116
- Digital access99#6/116
- Economy91#7/116
Key figures (latest year)
| Price level (US = 100) | 91 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 83.2 | 2024 |
| Doctors per 1,000 people | 5.0 | 2023 |
| Homicides per 100,000 people | 0.7 | 2023 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 3.1% | 2025 |
| People using the internet | 99.0% | 2024 |
| Rule of law (0–100) | 91 | 2025 |
| Political stability (0–100) | 85 | 2025 |
Living in Norway: your options
Realistic long-term route: None found for your situation and budget
With citizenship of Canada, you can visit Norway without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Staying longer needs a long-stay visa or residence permit. Official information (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02018R1806-20251230)Residence routes that match your situation:
EmploymentResidence permit for skilled workers (www.nyinorge.no/en/arrival/residence-permit-in-norway)
For non-EU/EEA nationals with completed higher or vocational education, normally with a job offer in Norway or their own company.
Recent changes: Check UDI for other permits and current salary requirements.
Official government source: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) (www.udi.no/en)
Residence data checked on October 7, 2026. This is orientation, not legal or immigration advice. Eligibility depends on your full circumstances; confirm with the official authority before applying.
Tax for newcomers in Norway
Special regime for people who move here and become tax resident. Orientation only: confirm eligibility with the tax authority or a tax adviser.
Flat 25% tax on gross salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from Norwegian national insurance); no tax return, no deductions.
Duration: First year as a Norwegian tax resident (or while non-resident)
Who qualifies: Foreign worker earning less than NOK 725,050 in 2026, non-resident or in first year of tax residence, no other taxable income such as business income.
Tax authority: Skatteetaten (Norwegian Tax Administration) (www.skatteetaten.no/en/person)
Leaving Canada: tax and registration
You usually become non-resident on the latest of leaving Canada, your spouse/dependants leaving, or becoming resident abroad. Departure tax: you're deemed to have sold certain property at fair market value; file Form T1161 if total property exceeded $25,000. Official information (www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/leaving-canada-emigrants.html)
School fees and health insurance
We don't show international school fees or private health insurance prices: no reliable open dataset exists for them, and both vary a lot by city, age and level of cover. Ask two or three schools and insurers for written quotes before you fix your budget.
Your action plan
You plan to move within a year: enough time to research, visit and apply without rushing.
This plan focuses on Singapore. Brunei ranks higher, but none of its long-term routes is plausibly met for your situation and budget (see its residence section).
Months 1–3
1. Research and decide
- Singapore: first check whether you need a permit with your citizenship. If you do, start with the “EntrePass” route: official page (www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/eligibility)
- Brunei: you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, but none of the long-term routes we checked fits your situation and budget (see its residence section). Confirm with the official authority before planning a move: Immigration and National Registration Department (Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan) (www.immigration.gov.bn)
- Norway: you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, but none of the long-term routes we checked fits your situation and budget (see its residence section). Confirm with the official authority before planning a move: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) (www.udi.no/en)
- Check with a cross-border tax adviser how your remote income would be taxed in Singapore, and confirm your employer or clients allow you to work from there.
- Check real rents in the city you'd live in. Based on national price levels, the standard of living your budget buys at home costs about CA$3,250 a month in Singapore.
- Plan a scouting trip to Singapore, ideally a few weeks in the neighbourhood you'd live in.
Months 4–6
2. Prepare documents
- Make sure every passport is valid for at least 12 months after your move, and order police certificates if your route asks for them (they often must be recent).
- Arrange health insurance for your first months in Singapore, until you can join the public system; many permits require proof of cover.
- Plan your exit from Canada: tax residence, deregistration, notice on housing and contracts, and what happens to your pension and healthcare.
Months 7–12
3. Apply and move
- If you need a permit for Singapore, submit your application and book any embassy or biometrics appointments early; processing times vary.
- Book short-term housing in Singapore for your first 1–2 months, so you can choose a long-term rental in person.
- Keep your income running through the move: notify clients or employer, check banking access and keep proof of income ready for the authorities.
After arrival
4. First 90 days
- Register your address and residence in Singapore within the deadline after arrival.
- Get your tax number and open a local bank account in Singapore.
- Enrol in the healthcare system in Singapore (public or private) and register with a doctor.
- Check whether you need to exchange your driving licence in Singapore, and by when.