Singapore is a wonderful island country located in Southeast Asia. It has the world’s most powerful passport and is consistently ranked No. 1 globally. This post will shed light on the Singapore work visa process, the types of Singapore work visas, and the requirements for Singapore work visa. All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid pass (commonly known as a work visa) before they start work in Singapore for any employer.
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According to the Ministry of Manpower Singapore, the total foreign workforce in the country as of June 2024 was 1,488,000. There is a demand for workers in Singapore. Depending on the type of work you will do and your skill level, there are different types of work visas in Singapore you can apply for. The application process to obtain a Singapore employment pass, as well as details on the various Singapore work passes, requirements, and other relevant information, are provided below.
Types of Singapore Work Visas
The Singapore work visas are divided into:
- Singapore work visas for professionals.
- Singapore work visas for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
- Singapore work visas for trainees and students.
Singapore Work Visas for Professionals
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The professional category has four types of passes:
- Employment Pass: This type of pass is available to professionals, managers, and executives. You will have to earn at least $5,000 a month.
- EntrePass: Available to investors or entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Singapore.
- Personalized Employment Pass: For high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals. It offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass.
- Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass: For top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, academia, and research.
Singapore Work Visas for Skilled and Semi-Skilled Workers
This is generally a popular category to get a work pass in Singapore.
- S Pass: The S pass allows employers in Singapore to hire skilled workers who did not meet the criteria for Employement Pass (EP). New candidates need to earn at least $3,150 a month.
- Work Permit for Foreign Workers: For skilled and semi-skilled workers from certain countries are allowed to work only in certain sectors (construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sector.)
- Work Permit for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW): This pass is available to the citizens of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
- Work Permit for Confinement Nanny: Available to Malaysian nannies who can work in Singapore for 16 weeks, beginning from the time a baby is born.
- Work Permit for performing artists: For foreign performers working in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels, and nightclubs.
Singapore Work Visas for Trainees and Students
The Singapore work visa for trainees and students:
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- Training Employment Pass: This pass is available to foreign students who want to undergo training in Singapore that does not exceed three months. They should earn $3,000 a month.
- Work Holiday Pass: For students and graduates aged 18 to 25 who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 6 months.
- Training Work Permit: For semi-skilled foreign trainees or students undergoing practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months.
Duration of Singapore Work Visa
| Type of Pass | Initial Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass | up to 2 years |
| EntrePass | 1 year |
| Personalised Employment Pass | 3 Years |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass | 5 Years |
| S Pass | 2 Years |
| Work Permit for migrant worker | 2 Years |
| Work Permit for migrant domestic worker | 2 Years |
| Work Permit for confinement nanny | 16 Weeks |
| Work Permit for performing artiste | 6 Months |
| Training Employment Pass | 3 Months |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) | 6 Months |
| Training Work Permit | 6 Months |
Singapore Work Visa Price
| Type of Pass | Processing Fee |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass | $105 |
| S Pass | $105 |
| Work Permit | $35 |
| Personalized Employment Pass | $105 |
| EntrePass | $105 |
| Training Employment Pass | $105 |
| Work Holiday Pass | None required |
| Work Permit for performing artists | $75 |
| Training Work Permit | $35 |
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | $175 |
| Dependant’s Pass | $105 |
Requirements of a Singapore Work Visa
- You will first need to find a Job in  Singapore and then apply for a suitable work visa for Singapore.
- That’s because it is your employer (or an Employment Agency) who is in charge of handling your Singapore work visa application.
- Your employer or an Employment Agency can apply to get your Singapore work visa issued.
How to Apply for the Singapore Work Visa?
- You will have to find a Job first.
- It is your employer who will apply for the work visa on your behalf. They will have to pay a processing fee.
- If the application is accepted, your employer will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, which you can use to enter Singapore.
- With the IPA Letter, you can enter Singapore.
- Once you are there, your employer or an Employement agency applies Online to get your Singapore work visa issued. They will pay the application fee for the work pass.
- You can start working after the approval of your pass.
Official Website
You can read more information on the Singapore work passes from the Ministry of Manpower website:Â https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits.
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