US citizens buying residential property in Singapore qualify for ABSD remission under the US–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, paying zero ABSD on the first property (same as Singapore Citizens). The remission applies to nationals of the US, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — and to certain residents of those countries.
The FTA remission
The ABSD remission under FTAs applies to citizens and PRs of: United States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Source: IRAS FTA remission.
FTA-eligible buyers pay 0% ABSD on first property (vs 60% standard foreigner rate) and 20% on second (vs 60%). Subsequent property counts follow the SC schedule.
The remission is automatic for documented nationals; no separate application is needed. The buyer must present proof of citizenship (passport) and any required additional documentation.
What documentation is required
- Valid passport from one of the 5 eligible countries
- Long-term immigration pass (Employment Pass, S Pass, or Dependent Pass) if buying via local representation
- Proof of beneficial ownership (purchase by the buyer in their own name)
Worked example: US citizen first property
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Property price | S$2,000,000 |
| BSD | S$64,600 |
| ABSD without FTA (60% foreigner) | S$1,200,000 |
| ABSD with FTA (0% — US citizen first property) | S$0 |
| FTA savings | S$1,200,000 |
The FTA savings on a S$2M property purchase are S$1.2M — making FTA nationality the single most valuable property-related citizenship benefit globally for Singapore-bound buyers.
Dual citizens and the FTA
If a buyer holds dual citizenship including one FTA-eligible country, the FTA remission applies — buyers select the more favourable status at point of purchase.
Naturalized US citizens (e.g. originally Chinese or Indian nationals) qualify equally. The FTA remission is based on current citizenship, not country of birth.
For other foreigner-buyer considerations see the complete ABSD framework for Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Does the FTA apply to dependents and spouses?
Spouses without FTA-eligible citizenship pay standard ABSD on their share. The FTA remission applies to the FTA-national portion of a joint purchase.
Can a US Green Card holder claim FTA remission?
No. The US FTA remission applies only to US citizens, not Green Card holders.
What about UK or Australian citizens?
The UK and Australia are not FTA-remission countries. Their citizens pay the standard 60% foreigner ABSD.