Work Visas is a essential pass that all foreigners have to attain in order to work in Singapore. Be it as a foreigner that ply their trade through their skills or by investments and business entrepreneurships, or through knowledge through education as a degree, they all have to attain a work visa. But as the time pass by and foreigners who are already working here in Singapore realize that they have fallen in love with the little sunny island and wishes to stay and attain a permanent resident and make Singapore as a second home, the type of work visa that they are currently holding on to becomes very important.
Singapore has become the ideal business and business center point in Southeast Asia, somewhat because of its innovative migration approaches intended to pull in prepared business people and working experts from around the globe. Discover more about the different work visa schemes accessible in Singapore for unfamiliar working professionals and entrepreneurs.
Let us take a look at the various work visas that leads to the path to becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident.
Employment Pass Scheme:
The Employment Pass (EP) is the principle form of work permit intended for business owners or professional employees, managers or directors of companies who can be working in Singapore. Your constant monthly income have to be more than $3,600.00 . The benefits of EP is that there is no quota limit that is restricted by the Ministry of Manpower.This pass allows you to work, live and play without having to apply for entry visas.
Validity: 1-2 years
Eligibility: Degree and above from reputable university and relevant work experience, minimum salary of $3,600. Strong work history and high salary may compensate for lack of educational qualifications.
Quota: There is no limit of the number of EPs the company can employ.
Permanent Resident Eligibility: Eligible for Permanent Resident through PTS Scheme.
Check on your eligibility through Self Assessment Tool (SAT)
Need to know more about the Employment Pass application process and FAQ?
- Filing of an EP Application Form 8 endorsement by employer or Company.
- Updated resume and educational certifications.A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates/curriculum vitae.
- References/testimonials from previous employers
- Recent passport size photograph
- Passport bio data page
- One copy of Business profile of Employer
- Job duties and profile detailed description
- A detailed description of the activities and/or products of the employing Singapore company
- Additional documents – All documents not written in English Language must be translated and notarized by the notary public and certified true copy.
- Documents are usually submitted online through company’s EPOnline account through the company’s administration.
- Manual submission can also be used to submit the application which supporting documents can be attached (Online application cannot submit supporting documents).
- Online application will normally be processed by 3 weeks or so.
- Manual application will normally be processed by 8 weeks or so.
- Upon approval – MOM will send an In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter to the employing Singapore company’s EP OLINE. The IPA letter is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued.
- Pass collection – IPA and visa clearance at immigration – i.e passport documents. Documents and pass collection will be done at MOM after medical test is done at the local established clinic.
Rejections are common and we can help clients to appeal that addresses the reasons and achieve approval for them within 4 – 6 weeks.
S-Pass Scheme:
The S Pass (SP) is the principle form of work permit intended for mid-skilled foreign workers who wish to relocate and work in Singapore. Example of such workers are technicians and skilled labors. Your constant monthly income have to be more than $2,500.00 . SP is availability is subjected to manpower quota and levy which is subjected to the industry and service which the business activity is in.
Validity: 1-2 years
Eligibility: Diploma or Degree from reputable institutions, university and relevant work experience, minimum salary of $2,500. Strong work history and high salary may compensate for lack of educational qualifications. The certifications should require at least a 1 year full time study.
Quota: Under the quota, the number of S Pass holders your company can hire is capped at:
- 13% of the company’s total workforce in the services sector.
- 20% in all other sectors.
Employers who exceed the quota will need to increase their local workforce or reduce the number of foreign workers. See Computation of Company’s Quota Balance.
Permanent Resident Eligibility: Eligible for Permanent Resident through PTS Scheme.
Check on your eligibility through Self Assessment Tool (SAT)
Need to know more about the S Pass application process and FAQ?
- Filing of an S Pass endorsement by employer or Company.
- Updated resume and educational certifications.A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates/curriculum vitae.
- References/testimonials from previous employers
- Recent passport size photograph
- Passport bio data page. Personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport.If the candidate’s name on the passport is different from the other documents, an explaination letter or affidavit is required.
- One copy of Business profile of Employer
- Job duties and profile detailed description
- A detailed description of the activities and/or products of the employing Singapore company
- Additional documents – All documents not written in English Language must be translated and notarized by the notary public and certified true copy.
India – Transcripts or marksheets for all semesters indicating the college attended.
China – Verification proof for diploma and above qualifications from one of these sources.
Diploma – Online Verification Report Of Higher Qualification Certificate from China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHSI)
Degree and above – China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Information (CDGDC)
Diploma and Above – Global verification agency, e.g. Dataflow
- Documents are usually submitted online through company’s EPOnline account through the company’s administration.
- Manual submission can also be used to submit the application which supporting documents can be attached (Online application cannot submit supporting documents).
- Online application will normally be processed by 3 weeks or so.
- Manual application will normally be processed by 8 weeks or so.
- Upon approval – MOM will send an In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter to the employing Singapore company’s EP ONLINE. The IPA letter is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
- Pass collection – IPA and visa clearance at immigration – i.e passport documents. Documents and pass collection will be done at MOM after medical test is done at the local established clinic.
Rejections are common and we can help clients to appeal that addresses the reasons and achieve approval for them within 4 – 6 weeks.
- Entrepass Scheme:
The Entrepass Scheme is the principle form of work permit intended for foreign business entrepreneurs who wish to start and operate a new business and relocate in Singapore. This includes foreign innovators and investors who is interested in using Singapore to launch their business globally.
Validity: Entrepass holders are granted 1 year approval to prove the progress of the business.Thereafter the holder will be granted another 1 year extension. The following extensions will be on a 2 year approval.
Eligibility: At least 21 years of age and plan or has already founded a new company with ACRA. Willing to work and relocate to Singapore to operate their business. Have a business that is entrepreneurial in nature and creates employment and own at least 30% of the company.
In addition, applicant must meet the minimum criteria under one of the 3 categories:
Entrepreneur:
- Receiving at least $100,000 in funding or investment from a third party venture capitalist (VC) or angel investor accredited by Singapore Government Agency.
- Your company is incubated by an incubator or accelerator recognized by the Singapore Government.
- You have an established business network and entrepreneurial track record.
- Possess intellectual property.
- You have research collaborations with Singapore institute of higher learning.
- Have a record of achievements in the key areas of expertise.
- Have a strong record of investments in many sectors
- Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
- Bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges
- Foot reflexology and massage parlours
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and herbal dispensaries
- Employment agencies and geomancy
Quota: No official quota.
Permanent Resident Eligibility: Eligible for Permanent Resident through Entre Pass Scheme.
Need to know more about the Entre Pass application process and FAQ?
- Summary and roles of key management individuals who will run the business.
- A section allocated for any form of prestigious awards received from a national body, credible organisation or recognised media.
- A short, self-explanatory description that entails details explaining your proposed business concept.
- Detailed explaination of the product(s) and service(s) that your business plans to offer.
- An analysis of your business’ target customers, key competitors, and potential for growth in Singapore.
- Show a marketing/distribution plan of how the products/services offered by your business will be marketed or distributed.
- Provide a necessary description on the necessary internal operations and resources necessary to produce your product(s) or service(s).
- Projected sales and net profit for your business (before tax) for three years, as well as the estimated break-even point.
- Supporting documents to assist your application, such as product certifications, licensing agreements and endorsements.
- Filing of an Entrepass application endorsement.
- Documentary evidence to show that you have achieved the criteria in either one of the categories under Entrepreneur, Innovator or Investor.
- Updated business plan in the required format. (See above.)
- Updated resume and educational certifications.A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates/curriculum vitae that states your previous employments and previous business ventures.
- References/testimonials from previous employers
- Recent passport size photograph
- Passport bio data page. Personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport.If the candidate’s name on the passport is different from the other documents, an explaination letter or affidavit is required.
- One copy of Business profile (If incorporated)
- Licensing agreements (if any)
- Memorandums of Understanding (if any)
- Relevant certifications (if any)
- Endorsements by reputable parties (if any)
- A copy of your company’s latest bank statement (if any)
- Additional documents – All documents not written in English Language must be translated and notarized by the notary public and certified true copy.
- Documents are usually submitted online through MOM’s online application.
- Online application will normally be processed by 8-10 weeks or so.
- Upon approval – MOM will send an In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter to the email indicated. The IPA letter is valid for 6 months to come to Singapore to get the pass issued.
- Pass collection – IPA and visa clearance at immigration – i.e passport documents.
- To collect your EntrePass, you will need to be in Singapore and present a copy of the IPA letter, your passport, and any other documents that may be requested in the IPA letter. A one-time entry visa will be issued to you to enter Singapore to collect your EntrePass if required.
- Documents and pass collection will be done at MOM after medical test is done at the local established clinic.
- Once the final IPA approval letter has been issued, you must relocate to Singapore within 6 months of the approval date.
Rejections are common and we can file an appeal within 90 days of your rejection notice. We can help clients to appeal that addresses the reasons and achieve approval for them within 8 weeks.
Personalized Employment Pass Scheme:
The Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) is the special type of employment permit that is not tied to any specific employer. The special benefit for this work permit is that you can switch jobs without applying for a new employment pass unless that you are not unemployed for more than 6 months. The negative side to PEP holders is that you cannot start your own company as the pass is meant for you to be employed by a third party employer.
Validity: 3 years non renewable
Eligibility: Meet either one of the following
- Highly paid professionals on a employment pass with income of at $12,000 per month and have at least a fixed annual salary of $144,000 the previous year.
- Overseas professional with a last drawn fixed salary of at least $18,000 a month and the last drawn salary should not be more than 6 months of the application.
- Not allowed to open a company and run a business or engaging in entrepreneurial activities.
- Must earn a fixed income of $144,000 a year throughout the duration of the pass.
Quota: There is no limit of the number of PEPs the company can employ.
Permanent Resident Eligibility: Eligible for Permanent Resident through PTS Scheme.
Check on your eligibility through Self Assessment Tool (SAT)
\Need to know more about the Personalized Employment Pass application process and FAQ?
- Name and address of employer (if available)
- Passport bio data page
- Job duties, profile detailed description and salary (if available)
- Local contact details (For overseas professional, can furnish details upon arrival).
- Details of Dependant pass (if available)
- Details of Long term social visit pass (if available)
Non Employment Pass Holder
- Passport bio data page
- Employment contract (New and previous if available)
- Previous 3 months of salary slips and bank statements
- Latest Tax Statement
- Updated resume and educational certifications.A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates/curriculum vitae.
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- Documents are usually submitted online through MOM’s online application.
- Online application will normally be processed by 5-8 weeks or so.
- Upon approval – MOM will send an In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter to the employing Singapore company’s EP OLINE. The IPA letter is valid for 1 months from the date it is issued.
- Pass collection – IPA and visa clearance at immigration – i.e passport documents. Documents and pass collection will be done at MOM after medical test is done at the local established clinic.
Rejections are common and we can help clients to appeal that addresses the reasons and achieve approval for them within 4 – 6 weeks.
