Singapore Work Visa Schemes

Written By Oleksandr Melnychenko

Unlike the closed-border policies now ascendent in the rest of the developed world, Singapore continues to support a liberal immigration policy, as it has consistently done over the last several decades. The country’s sustained economic growth and low fertility rates have made it necessary for Singapore to bring in foreign skilled and unskilled workers to relieve its persistently tight labor market. Singapore also seeks foreign talent as a source of innovation and growth for its economy. The result of this liberal immigration policy is that nearly a third of Singapore’s total workforce is made up of foreigners. Singapore continues to welcome new foreigners. This together with other factors make Singapore a perfect place for setting up a new company. Such liberal immigration policy distinguish Singapore from Dubai.

This article provides a high-level overview of the different types of work passes available to those who wish to do business or work in Singapore.

Work Passes for Professionals, Managers and Entrepreneurs

 

While Singapore has slightly tightened its overall immigration policy in recent years, it continues to encourage immigration by highly-skilled and innovative foreigners who can demonstrate that they are able to draw a high compensation for their work in Singapore. Foreigners with those qualifications can work in Singapore under an Employment Pass, an EntrePass or a Personalised Employment Pass subject to satisfying their respective criteria.

EMPLOYMENT PASS

Professionals and managers with high-level qualifications can obtain an Employment Pass (EP). The employing company (or an approved agency on behalf of the employing company) must apply for the EP for the applicant; changing employers necessitates getting a new EP to continue working in Singapore. After 2011, the requirements for an EP were tightened by raising the minimum salary and limiting the range of qualifications accepted. The key features for an EP application are as follows:

  1. Applicant: The employer or an approved agency applies to MOM for an EP on behalf of the foreign candidate.

  2. Duration: The initial EP is for a period of up to two years so long as the foreigner works for the same employer. Renewed EPs are valid for up to three years.

  3. Quotas and levies: No quotas or levies apply to EPs.

  4. Minimum salary: A monthly salary of at least $5,000 for first-time employees. Applicants who have more experience may be required to show a higher minimum salary.

  5. Renewal: Yes, so long as the applicant is working for the same employer and satisfies the renewal criteria.

  6. Health Insurance: An EP holder can get health insurance through his or her employer (if the employer offers it) or purchase private health insurance.

  7. Family: You may bring your family (spouse and children) if you earn $6000 per month or more; if you wish to bring your parents to Singapore, you must earn $12,000 per month or more.

  8. Permanent Residence Eligibility: Yes, in due course you can apply for Permanent Residence in Singapore.

Employment Pass is the main route for relocating to Singapore for foreign skilled staff, senior executives, and directors of Singapore companies.

Overseas Network and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass Singapore)

The ONE Pass Singapore is designed for top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research.

Key Facts

  • The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the launch of a new work visa in Singapore called the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass. It will be open for applications from 1 January 2023.

  • This new work pass, unlike the regular Employment Pass, will be a personalized work pass tied to the individual. This means ONE Pass holders will not have to reapply for a new pass if they change jobs.

  • The validity of this pass is 5 years. It can also be renewed upon meeting the renewal criteria.

  • Pass holders can register their company in Singapore to run and operate it.

  • The new Singapore work visa will also allow high-income talents and established corporate executives to live in Singapore without needing to get a job here.

  • Its holders can bring certain family members to Singapore. Moreover, the successful candidate’s spouse will be able to work in Singapore on a Letter of Consent.

  • There are tough eligibility requirements to qualify for this visa.

  • There are two different routes to apply for the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.

For more details, see our guide on the ONE Pass Singapore.

ENTREPASS

The EntrePass, also known as an Entrepreneur Pass, is a work permit for a foreign entrepreneur who wants to start and operate a new business in Singapore. The foreign entrepreneur must have registered the business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) within the past six months or must intend to register it upon receiving the EntrePass. The criteria for EntrePass were tightened in 2013 to ensure that Singapore offers EntrePasses only to those who create jobs in Singapore and enhance the local economy. The new requirements are as follows.

  1. Applicant: The foreign entrepreneur applies directly to MOM for an EntrePass.

  2. Duration: An EntrePass is valid for up to one year.

  3. Quotas and levies: No quotas or levies apply to the holder of an EntrePass.

  4. Minimum salary: There is no minimum salary required to apply for an EntrePass. However, there are capitalization requirements for the new business that the entrepreneur starts in Singapore.

  5. Intellectual Property or Funding: The new business must also meet at least one of the following four requirements: a) receive funding from an accredited VC, b) hold proprietary intellectual property, c) collaborate with a premier research institution, or d) work with a government supported incubator.

  6. Renewal: Yes, dependent upon meeting the renewal criteria.

  7. Health Insurance: The individual EntrePass holder is responsible for purchasing his or her own private health insurance.

  8. Family: You can bring your spouse, children and parents if you satisfy the dependent criteria. Note that you can only bring your dependents to Singapore only after you have renewed your pass and you cannot bring in dependent(s) on your first application.

  9. Permanent Residence Eligibility: Yes, in due course.

PERSONALISED EMPLOYMENT PASS

A Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special Employment Pass reserved for high-earning Employment Pass (EP) holders and foreign professionals with even higher earnings. PEP holders have greater job flexibility because a PEP is not tied to a particular employer like an EP is. Rather, it is granted on the strength of the applicant’s qualifications. Furthermore, a PEP holder can stay in Singapore for up to six months without working while he or she seeks and evaluates employment opportunities.

  1. Applicant: The current EP holder or foreign professional applies to MOM directly.

  2. Duration: Up to 3 years.

  3. Quotas and levies: No quotas or levies apply to the holder of a PEP.

  4. Minimum salary: Yes. The minimum salary is at least $22,500 per month.

  5. Renewal: No, the PEP is only issued once.

  6. Health Insurance: The PEP holder is responsible for purchasing his or her own private health insurance.

  7. Family: You may bring in your spouse, children and parents.

  8. Permanent Residence Eligibility: Yes, in due course.

 

Work Pass for Lesser Qualified Professionals

 

While the above visa options are available to highly skilled workers, a different visa is available for professionals who have lower skills.

S PASS

The S Pass allows mid-skilled technical staff to live and work in Singapore. Singapore imposes a quota on the number or S Pass workers at a company.

Key Facts

  • S Pass holders must take a minimum of S$2,500 per month. The S Pass minimum qualifying salary will be raised to S$3,000 from September 1, 2022, for new applicants (from September 1, 2023 — for renewals). From September 1, 2023, the minimum salary will be further raised to S$3,150 and from September 1, 2025, to S$3,300 (from September 1, 2024, and September 1, 2026 — for the renewals accordingly).

  • Candidates must have a degree or diploma with proof of a minimum of 1 year of full-time study.

  • An employer or an employment agent must apply for the S Pass.

  • For companies in the service sector, S Pass workers cannot make up more than 15% of the staff. For all other sectors, S Pass workers cannot make up more than 20% of the staff.

  • An S Pass is valid for up to 2 years.

  • An S Pass can be renewed for a period up to 3 years.

  • Eligible S Pass holders can bring certain their spouse or children to Singapore on a Dependent Pass or Longer Term Visit Pass.

Passes for Family Members

 

Foreigners who work in Singapore and who want to bring their family members to live with them can do so long as they have an EP, PEP or S Pass. A legally married spouse and children under 21 can be brought to Singapore with a Dependent’s Pass. A common-law spouse, stepchildren, a disabled child over 21 and parents can be brought to Singapore with a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).

DEPENDENT’S PASS

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old can apply for a Dependent’s Pass.

  1. Applicant: The employer applies for the Dependent’s Pass on behalf of the EP, PEP, or S Pass holder.

  2. Duration: Up to two years, although it is tied to the duration of the foreign worker’s work pass. If the work pass is cancelled, then the Dependent Pass will also be cancelled.

  3. Quotas and levies: No

  4. Renewal: Yes.

  5. Minimum salary: The EP or S Pass holder must earn at least $6,000 per month. The PEP holder has no such requirement.

  6. Health Insurance: The pass holder is responsible for getting health insurance for his or her family.

  7. Able to work: Yes, with a Letter of Consent.

LONG TERM VISIT PASS

A common-law spouse, step-child, a disabled child and parents can apply for a LTVP. The requirements for the LTVP are:

  1. Applicant: The employer applies for the Dependent’s Pass on behalf of the EP, PEP or S Pass holder.

  2. Duration: It is tied to the duration of the foreign worker’s work pass.

  3. Quotas and levies: No.

  4. Minimum salary: The EP or S Pass holder must earn at least S$6,000 (S$12,000 for LTVP for parents) per month.

  5. Renewal: Yes.

  6. Health Insurance: The pass holder is responsible for getting health insurance for his or her family.

  7. Able to work: Yes, with a Letter of Consent.

 

Short-Term Passes

 

In addition to the above work passes, Singapore offers short-term passes for training to students, professionals and semi-skilled workers. It also provides another type of pass, called a Miscellaneous Work Pass for those coming to work in Singapore for less than 60 days.

 

Conclusion

 

Singapore offers several types of work related visas for foreigners who want to work in the country. The procedures and rules for the different types of visas are well established and straightforward. However, it is helpful to seek the assistance of a corporate services firm if you are planning to apply for one of these visas.

Oleksandr Melnychenko
Next

Singapore Employment Pass