Singapore is a developed free-market economy that attracts talent from around the world. The country offers great job opportunities, competitive salaries, and a great tax system. The country is home to people from India, China, Malaysia, and many other countries and is considered one of the best places for expatriates.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, there are over 110,000 expatriates in the country. Anyone wanting to work in Singapore must have a valid work visa. There are many types of work visas available with the best one for you dependent on the type of work done and the applicant’s skill level.
Read: Singapore EntrePass For Budding Entrepreneurs
An Employment Pass is available to foreign professionals who have been offered an executive, managerial or specialized job in Singapore with a salary of at least $5,000.
Employment Pass holders can apply for permanent residency through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The pass holder can apply for dependent family passes.
Validity: 2 years after which it can be renewed for 3 more years.
Read More About Singapore Employment Pass
Foreign nationals holding high-earning Employment Passes and earning at least $12,000 per month or foreign professionals earning at least $18,000 per month are eligible for this pass. Pass holders cannot start their own business on this Pass.
The pass is not tied to a particular employer and offers the individual the flexibility to change jobs without having to re-apply for a new pass. Pass holders can stay in the country for up to 6 months between jobs. The pass holder can apply for dependent family passes for certain family members.
Validity: Up to 3 years. It is not renewable.
Individuals wanting to start their own business in Singapore can apply for this visa. The business may be backed by a venture or possess innovative technology. There is no minimum salary the applicant needs to earn. The pass holder can apply for dependent family passes for certain family members.
Validity: 1 year after which it can be renewed for 1 year and again for 2 years.
Read: Ways to Migrate to Singapore
This is a pass designed for mid-level skilled staff. The visa must be applied for by the individual’s employer and is tied to the employer. Employers can apply for S Pass holders to make up 10% of their workforce if they are in the service sector, 20% of the workforce in the case of industries in the manufacturing sector and 18% in all other sectors.
The applicant must earn a monthly salary of at least $2,500 and have a degree, diploma or technical certification. The pass holder can apply for dependent family passes.
Validity: 2 years after which it may be renewed
This visa is available to semi-skilled foreign workers in the manufacturing, construction, marine shipyard, services or process sector. There are no qualification requirements and eligibility requirements vary from sector to sector. The visa must be applied for by the employer who is subject to a limited quota.
Validity: Up to 2 years after which it may be renewed
This work permit is available to female workers between the ages of 23 and 50 years from certain Asian countries. The worker must not be related to the employer and be employed at the employer’s home address.
The visa can be applied for by an employer who is at least 21 years old, a responsible employer and financially stable. Employers must pay a monthly levy but they are not subject to quotas.
Validity: Up to 2 years after which it may be renewed
This is a short-term permit for Malaysian employed as confinement nannies. The nanny may be between 23 and 70 years of age and employed at the employer’s home residence. The employer must be at least 21 years old and have a newborn infant under the age of 4 months.
Validity: 16 weeks from the birth of a child
Read: How to Apply for Singapore Tourist Visa
This is a visa specifically for foreign artists wanting to perform at public entertainment outlets such as hotels, bars and nightclubs.
The business applying for the visa must have a CAT 1 Public Entertainment License, operate for a minimum of 6 hours each day and employ at least 1 local who qualifies for the minimum salary. The number of foreign artists who can be hired at a time is limited by a quota.
Validity: up to 6 months
This pass is designed for foreign students and trainees undergoing practical training for executive, professional, specialist or managerial jobs.
The training must be connected to the course of study and sponsored by an established company registered in Singapore. The position must pay at least $3,000 per month.
Validity: Up to 3 months
There are 2 classes of visa in this category – work holiday passes under the work holiday program and work holiday passes under the work and holiday visa program.
The work holiday pass under the work holiday program is designed for foreign students and graduates from Germany, France, Japan, Hong Kong, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and New Zealand between the ages of 18 and 25 years. 2000 such passes may be issued at any given time.
Validity: 6 months
The work holiday pass under the work and holiday visa program is designed for Australian students and graduates between the age of 18 and 30 years. Applicants must have a university degree or have completed 2 years of a full-time undergraduate course. The program has a capacity of 500 applicants at any given point in time.
Validity: 1 year
This type of work pass is designed for semi-skilled and unskilled foreign trainees undergoing practical training in Singapore. The number of such visas a company can apply for is capped by the foreign worker quota for different sectors.
Validity: up to 6 months
Foreigners in Singapore on short-term visit passes cannot work in the country unless they have a miscellaneous work pass. Foreigners eligible for this visa include religious workers, journalists and speakers at seminars.
Validity: up to 60 days
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