Singapore is one of the world’s most prosperous nations and an ideal business and commercial hub in Southeast Asia, with a business-friendly regulatory environment. The creative immigration policy of Singapore attracts one of the best entrepreneurs and working professionals from around the globe. Foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a visa or Singapore Work permit or work pass. Indians who want to work in Singapore can apply for a work permit.
Singapore Work Visa
Singapore work permit (commonly known as a work visa) allows foreigners to take up temporary or permanent work in the country. Employers who want to engage foreign nationals to work in Singapore must ensure that they have a valid visa.
Work permit schemes for foreign professionals and entrepreneurs
Based on the nature of work, the Minister of Manpower, Singapore, issues different types of work passes and permits to foreign nationals who wish to work in Singapore. Find out the work permit schemes issued by Singapore Government for foreign professionals and entrepreneurs.
Work visa for professionals
| Type of work visa | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Employment pass | The Employment Pass (EP) is issued to high-earning professionals like company owners, managers and executives who will be working in Singapore. Validity: An EP is initially granted for 1-2 years and after that it can be renewed for as long as the applicant continues to work in Singapore. Eligibility: Entrepreneurs and professionals with a body of specialized knowledge and relevant experience. Quota System: There is no quota official system for EPs. Work permit holders can apply for Singapore PR in due course. |
| EntrePass | EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) is the primary type of work pass issued to eligible foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start and operate a new business in Singapore. Validity: An EntrePass is initially granted for 1 year and after that it can be renewed for as long as the business remains viable. Eligibility: Entrepreneurs who wish to start a new company or have recently incorporated a company in the last 6 months. The business must comply with one of the innovative criteria introduced in September 2013. Quota System: No quota system for EntrePass. EntrePass holders can apply for Singapore PR in due course. |
| Personalized Employment Pass | The Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) is issued to existing employment pass holders or overseas foreign professionals. It offers greater flexibility; pass holders can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass. However, PEP holders are not allowed to start a company of their own. Validity: PEP is granted for 3 years and it is not renewable. Eligibility: High-earning professionals employed in Singapore. The pass holders are not allowed to incorporate their own business in Singapore. Quota: No official quota system for PEP. PEP holders can apply for PR in due course. |
Work visa for skilled and semi-skilled workers
| Type of work visa | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| S Pass | The S pass is issued to mid-level skilled workers who earn at least $2,500 per month. Validity: The pass is initially issued for 1-2 years and is renewable after that for as long as the employee continues to work with the employer. Eligibility: Either degree or diploma holders. Individuals with technical certificates may also be considered. Quota: Employer’s quota eligibility and applicant’s qualification will be considered to assess S Pass applicants. Permanent Residence Eligibility: S pass holders can apply for PR. The application for Singapore PR will be assessed based on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) PR criteria. |
| Work permit for foreign workers | For semi-skilled foreign workers employed in the construction, manufacturing, marine, shipyard, services sector, etc. in Singapore. |
| Work permit for foreign domestic worker | Issued to foreign domestic workers to work in Singapore. |
| Work permit for confinement nanny | Work permit is issued to Malaysian confinement nannies to work in Singapore for up to 16 weeks from the birth of their employer’s child. |
| Work permit for performing artists | Foreign artists working in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and clubs. |
Trainees and Students
| Type of work visa | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Training employment pass | Foreign professionals taking practical training in Singapore. They must earn at least $3,000 a month. |
| Work holiday pass | Foreign students and graduates aged between (18 to 25 years) who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 1 year. |
| Training work permit | Semi-skilled foreign students or trainees who wish to live in Singapore for practical training for up to 6 months. |
| Miscellaneous work pass | For foreign speakers, religious workers and journalists visiting Singapore for a short-term work assignment of up to 60 days. |
Family members
| Type of work visa | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Dependent’s pass | For spouses and children of eligible Employment and S pass holders. |
| Long term visit pass | For parents, spouses, children (handicapped children) of eligible Employment or S pass holders. |
| Pre-approved letter of consent | Spouses or children of Singapore citizens or PRs who hold an LTVP/LTVP+ issued by Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The holder is pre-approved to work in Singapore. They can only apply for a pre-approved letter of consent when applying for, or renewing the Long-term Visit Pass/Long-term Visit Pass+. |
| Letter of consent | Eligible spouses and children of Employment Pass holders having a dependent’s pass, or a Long-term Visit Pass/Long-term Visit Pass+ issued by Immigration Checkpoints Authority can get a LOC (Letter of Consent) Note: The LOC must be applied for by the employer |
Requirements for Singapore Work Visa
Foreign nationals who wish to work in Singapore need to meet the following requirements in order to obtain a work visa:
- The applicant must have a valid passport.
- Age of the applicant must be at least 18 years.
- Applicants are required to work only within the scope of work mentioned in the work permit issued by ICA.
Foreign workers employed in Singapore must comply with the following guidelines:
- Foreign workers are not allowed to take part in any other business or start their own business.
- Work only for the employer and in the occupation mentioned in the work permit or work pass.
- Not allowed to marry a Singapore citizen or permanent resident in or outside Singapore without seeking approval from the Ministry of Manpower.
- An employee can reside only at the address arranged by the employer at the time of the employment process.
- Produce the original work permit for inspection on demand by any public officer.
How to apply for a Singapore Visa?
Employers who want to employ foreign workers need to apply for their work permits. Here are the steps for application:
- Employer or EA has to submit an application
- Prepare for worker’s arrival
- Get the permit issued
- Employees have to register fingerprints and photo
- Employer or the authorized recipient will receive the card
The applicant is required to take the following steps to submit an application:
- Get written consent from the foreign worker for a work permit application
- Log in to Work Permit online to fill out an application
- Pay the Singapore work visa application fee of $35 for each application through general internetbank recurring order (GIRO), MasterCard, Visa or eNets debit
- Once the application is successfully submitted, you can check the status after 1 week
Also Read: Visa Status: Check Visa Status with Passport Number
You can contact Singapore Embassy in India for more clarity on visa/ work permit. If you’re looking for any assitance for NRI services such as NRI account opening, NRI Demat account, NRI investment or taxation, experts at SBNRI can help you out with everything. Download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store to ask any questions related to NRI services. Also visit our blog and Youtube Channel for more details.
FAQs
An Employment Pass renewal form will be posted to your employer’s registered address 3 months before the expiry of your Employment Pass. You must submit the renewal application to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) at least four weeks before the EP expires.
No, you don’t need to visit Singapore to apply for EntrePass. You can communicate via emails and documents couriering to complete the application process. You will have to visit Singapore to collect your EntrePass after approval.
Yes, you can check the status of the work permit application online via WP Online, A Singapore Government Agency Website.
No, the work permit card is issued to the worker and should be held by the worker all the time of inspection. Employers can’t keep the work permit of a foreign worker or a foreign domestic worker.
Employers or appointed employment agents need to apply for the work permit.
