Application process and work permit for Singapore

If you plan to migrate to Singapore, find a job there, and apply for a work visa. The work visa for Singapore, known as the work permit, allows foreigners to work in the Lion Country either temporarily or permanently.

Besides the Personalized Employment Pass (PEP), all Singapore work visas are connected to the Singaporean employer.

Here are details of three common work permits in Singapore:

Employment pass (EP)

After you get a job in Singapore, your employer can apply on your behalf for an Employment Pass EP. You can obtain either the EP or S Pass based on your work experience and educational qualifications.

You must receive a minimum monthly salary of 4,500 Singapore dollars (SGD) and have solid qualifications to apply for the EP. If you have additional qualifications or work experience, your income will be commensurate with your experience.

Additionally, you must have a job offer from a Singapore-based company, work experience in a managerial or an executive position, and minimum educational qualifications.

Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

The PEP, which is not dependent on any employer, allows you to work in Singapore if your last income was 18,000 SGD per month (within the previous six months of the application) or if you held an EP and got a monthly income of 12,000 SGD a month.

Once you are a PEP holder to seek a new job opportunity, you can be a resident of Singapore for a period of 6 months, even without working. The validity of the PEP is three years, and it is non-renewable.

S Pass

The S Pass is for mid-level overseas employees who earn a fixed monthly income of a minimum of 2,500 SGD. If older or more experienced individuals are applying, they need to have earned higher salaries to be eligible.

Additionally, they must have a degree or diploma or qualified certifications. Along with the certification, they should have studied full-time for a minimum of one year and have had valid work experience.

Those who work with S Pass for a certain period in Singapore can apply for permanent residency.

Dependant’s pass (DP)

If you have relocated with your parents or spouse to Singapore, who may be holders of PEP or EP and earn 6,000 SGD per month, you will get a Dependant‘s Pass (DP). DP Holders are allowed to work without a Singaporean work permit. If your employer applies for a Letter of Consent (LOC), you can work legally in Singapore.

Work permit application process

Employers need to apply for work passes on behalf of their migrant workers. Overseas employers must request a Singapore-based firm to act as local sponsors, who can then apply on behalf of the migrant workers. An employer could also hire an employment agency to aid in this process.

Documents required

• Copy of the personal information page of your passport
• Your educational certificates are verified by a standard designated agency.
• The latest business profile of your company, which is registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), a statutory board with the Ministry of Finance of the Singapore government.  

Once you submit your application, it takes three weeks to process online applications and around eight weeks for postal applications.

Work permit eligibility requirements 

• You must have a legal passport.
• You must be a minimum of 18 years old
• You may work within the parameter defined by the authorities in the granted work permits

Work permit conditions

• You should not participate in any other business or float your own business.
• You must be employed only in the profession as per the employer-specific work permit.
• You should not marry a Singaporean citizen or a permanent resident in or outside the country without the consent of the Minister of Manpower.
• Live only at the address you give at the commencement of your employment by the employer.
• You have always need to carry the original work permit to produce it to review on-demand for any public official.

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