VISAS AND WORK PERMITS FOR SINGAPORE

People looking for employment require a Work Pass or Work Permit. There are up to eight different types depending on occupation and qualifications but mainly on salary. All working documentation comes under the Ministry of Manpower. Singapore is encouraging foreigners, from CEOs to labourers, to supplement an ageing population, low birth rate and high economic growth; 40% of the population is made up of immigrants. However, understanding the immigration system for work permits or passes needs expert advice on the best route for companies to ‘onboard’ their employees.

Although many countries’ nationals can enter Singapore visa-free for business, tourism, and medical treatment for either 30 or 90 days, all foreigners seeking paid employment require documentation. There are two routes into the employment market for foreigners:

1. For professional and well-qualified people
2. For general employees with skills needed in the marketplace

First, the foreigner needs a job offer and an employer who can sponsor a Work Pass or a Work Permit (similar to Work Visas in other countries) for employment. Several types are available, with different eligibility, qualifications and salary requirements. There are eight visa types, and the employee should know which is needed before starting employment. They fall into two categories:

• Work Passes are generally for professional, skilled and semi-skilled workers with a minimum qualification requirement, e.g. degree, diploma or technical qualification and a job offer with a minimum salary.
• Work Permits are issued to low and semi-skilled workers where there is no minimum regarding qualifications or salary.

Employment Pass (EP): Issued to professional foreigners at a managerial or executive level. This Pass requires high-end educational or technical qualifications, and more importantly, a high salary should come with the job, i.e. SGD 4,500 (€3,000, US$3,320) per month. However, from September 1 2022, the qualifying salary increases to SGD 5,000 (€3,332, US$3,686). Ministry of Manpower can also issue this ‘pass’ to individuals who have established a company and wish to live in Singapore to run the business. They are issued for one to two years, renewable. No quotas or Foreign Worker Levy are applicable. 

EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass): For individuals wanting to set up a business either backed by private funding (venture capital) or can demonstrate state-of-the-art technologies. Issued for one year, renewable for two. No minimum income, quotas, or Workers Levy apply.

Personalized Employment Pass (PEP): Similar to the EP, but more flexible as employees are not tied to any one employer and have a higher income bracket; however, they cannot perform any entrepreneurial activities, e.g. start a business on this Pass. New employees require a monthly salary of SGD 18,000 (€12,000, US$13,272).

S Pass: For ‘mid-level’ skilled positions such as supervisors, technicians, office or account managers, team leaders, etc. A salary minimum of SGD 2,500 (€1,666, US$1,843) per month is required. However, from September 1 2022, there are increases to SGD 3,000 (€2,000, US$2,212), then again in 2023 and 2025. Quotas and a Foreign Worker Levy apply for each S Pass holder employed. Employers must provide illness and accident insurance up to SGD 15,000 (€10,000, US$11,060).

Training Employment Pass: For individuals receiving practical training and as foreign professionals earn a minimum salary of SGD 3,000 (€2,000, US$2,212) per month.

Work Holiday Passes: Available under the Work and Holiday Visa Programs.

Training Employment Work Permit: For training up to six months for semi-skilled foreign workers.

Work Permits sponsored and supported by employers for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW) apply in construction, marine, manufacturing and service sectors; for nannies and performing artists. These are subject to a Foreign Worker Levy and quota restrictions.

Note: Employers are responsible for these employees and must provide a security bond and medical and accident insurance. From April 2022, employers must buy a Primary Care Plan for all eligible employees with Work Permits. 

General Notes on working passes and permits:

• All nationalities are eligible to apply for employment in Singapore, providing they qualify
• Applicants must be 18 years old, with a National Passport for any visa. In some cases, employees need to be older; however, no older than 50 for most foreign workers apart from Malaysians when the age limit is 58
• All qualifications should be accredited and translated into English, or they may not be accepted.
• Work passes or work permits come under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and most foreign workers come under the Employment Act, the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) and the Immigration Act.
• There are stiff penalties for employees working in Singapore without the correct documentation and the approval of the MOM, as are their employers.
• Quotas and Foreign Worker Levy (applied monthly) try to balance and regulate the number of foreign workers, especially in the low-income brackets.

The two main work passes for employers looking for foreign workers are The Employment Pass and the S Pass. The employer (or licensed agent on their behalf) applies to the MOM for the Pass on the employee’s behalf. An In-Principle Approval Letter (IPA) is issued and sent to the employer within four weeks as long as all paperwork has been supplied.

A copy is sent to the employee in the home country who uses this to travel to Singapore. At the border, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues a one-time visa (Visit Pass) to enter the country to request and collect the Employment Pass or S Pass. This allows employees to live and work in the country as well as exit and enter without visas. However, they require an SG Arrival Card that replaces the previous Disembarkation / Embarkation Card.