Did you know that Singapore offers several opportunities for foreigners seeking employment? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials and procedures to work in Singapore as a foreigner – from the necessary visas to eligibility criteria for relocating to the country.
What incentives can you benefit from while working in Singapore?
Singapore has established several initiatives to encourage foreign talent to relocate to the country for work and investment purposes. Thus, there are several incentives available to you when you start working in Singapore as a foreign professional:
- Reduced tax rates: 15% tax rate on your first S$160,000 of taxable income
- Tax Exemption for Short-Term Work: Foreigners working in Singapore for 60 days or less in a calendar year are exempt from income tax on their earnings. This exemption does not apply to company directors, public entertainers, or professionals.
- Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) Scheme: Expatriates who qualify as NOR taxpayers pay tax only on the income corresponding to the days they spend in Singapore. This only applies if you have spent at least 90 days outside Singapore for business reasons. Additionally, contributions made by employers to non-mandatory overseas pension funds are tax-exempt.
Visa Options for Working in Singapore
Short Term Work Visas
If you’re planning to travel to Singapore for work-related activities such as attending a seminar or conference, there are several short-term visas available. Otherwise known as work passes, these visas are designed to cater to various professional needs and facilitate entry for foreign professionals:
| Duration | Allowed Activities | Requirements | |
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | 60-days | Attending conferences, speaking at events, or performing short-term jobs that do not require a full work visa | A sponsorship or employment with a Singapore-based organization or society |
| Training Employment Pass | 3 months | Training at a local company or institution | SGD 3,000 |
| Work Holiday Pass | 6 months | Short term work and employment in Singapore | Young foreigners aged 18-25Participants of the Working Holiday Programme |
| Training Work Permit(TWP) | 6 months | Training at a local firm | Sponsorship from a local company |
Long-Term Work Visas
If you’re planning to relocate to Singapore for a long-term business venture or employment, several options allow foreigners to live and work in the city-state. Each long-term visa is tailored to meet different needs and applies to different types of professionals with varying requirements:
| Duration | Applicable Holders | Requirements | |
| Employment Pass(EP) | 2 Years | Foreign professionals, managers, and executives | SGD 3,600 (approximately USD 2,600) monthly salary |
| Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) | 3 Years | High-income professionals | Employment PassSGD 12,000 (approximately USD 8,800) minimum salary |
| S Pass | 2 Years | Mid-level skilled workersForeigners who hold a degree from an accredited institution or have relevant work experience | At least SGD 2,400 (approximately USD 1,700) monthly salary |
| EntrePass | 1 Year | Foreign entrepreneurs establishing a company in Singapore | Company must be venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies |
How to secure your work permit in Singapore
Typically, acquiring any of the work visas requires the employer to submit documentation on behalf of the applicant through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Remember, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee approval, as applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis by MOM based on various factors including skills, experience, and market demand.
Emerhub’s local experts can help you determine the right visa for your purpose of stay via our visa application service. Our team can also help you navigate the visa acquisition process by reviewing your application and coordinating with the local consulate:
- Employer Submits Application: To apply for a work visa in Singapore, you need an employer or a third-party entity like Emerhub to submit the application and pay the fees, which range from SGD 35 to SGD 175 (USD 26 to USD 131) based on the type of work pass. Emerhub will manage the application process, but the sponsoring company must provide its current business profile registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
- Collect IPA Letter: Once the application is approved, the employer will need to send it to you for you to travel to Singapore within six months (or 60 days for an S Pass). The IPA letter serves as permission to enter Singapore to complete the work visa process
- Apply for Work Visa Issuance: Upon arriving in Singapore, your work visa application can be completed. Emerhub can also facilitate this process for you and ensure you receive the necessary issuance acceptance letter. The letter will detail whether you need to provide biometric data at the Ministry of Manpower Services Centre.
- Register with EPSC: You must register at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) within two weeks of receiving your approval letter to obtain your official work pass card to be able to start working in Singapore.
If there is an issue with your visa application or it gets rejected, you have the option to do a reapplication or send an appeal. Emerhub’s local team is well-versed in relocation requirements and can help avoid potential refusals. In the event of a refusal, our team will help with the reapplication or appeal process.
Do you want to start working in Singapore? Fill out the form below to get in touch with our advisors!
