What is a Singapore Work Visa?
A work visa, known as a work passes in Singapore, is a work permit that allows a foreign national to work in Singapore for a specified period of time. All foreign nationals must have a work permit or work permit to legally take up employment in Singapore.
Singapore work permit procedure
Step 1: Getting a job in Singapore
Candidates cannot submit their work permit application online directly. You have to secure your employment first. This can be done two ways:
1. You can get a job directly without agents. Refer our guide how to get a job in Singapore.
2. Getting a job though agents.
If you get a job directly you can easily save your money. Because, most of the employer in Singapore they won’t charge anything such as visa, work permit or agency fees. On the other hand, agents charge a lot money to get a work permit of Singapore.
Step 2: Apply for Singapore work permit
After securing a job only your employer or registered agencies can submit your application online. There is an online govt. portal called EP online for Employment Pass and WP online for work permit application where the applications are submitted.
Step 3: Track your work permit application online
Once your application submitted an application number is generated. You can check your application status online on work pass enquiry link.
Step 4: Fly to Singapore on a single side ticket
After approving your application an In Principle Approval (IPA) letter is issued by the MOM. With this letter you can travel to Singapore on a single side ticket.
Step 5: Get your work permit card
Once you arrive in Singapore your employer take an appointment for your work permit card. Where MOM will take your photo and your finger prints. In some cases before the finger prints you have to go through the medical also.
Singapore work visa for Indians
Any qualified and skilled Indian citizen who wishes to work in Singapore can obtain a work permit. Singapore work visa for Indians or for any other nationality can be obtained after getting employment through an Appointed Employer (EA) or employer.
You can read our article how to get a job in Singapore with some easy steps
Eligibility for Singapore work permit
To be eligible for a Singapore Work Pass, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must have a valid passport.
- Must be at least 18 years old. For Malays, the maximum age limit is 58 years and for non-Malays it is 50 years.
The applicant can only work within the scope of work specified in their respective work permits and cannot exceed the specified time. Also, running your own business without a valid permit is illegal and can land you in jail.
Types of Work Visa in Singapore
All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid work permit (commonly known as a work visa) before starting work. If the foreigners are hired to work in Singapore, you must ensure that you have valid ID. There different kinds of work passes are available in Singapore according to your skills and qualification. Find out which pass is suitable, if they are eligible and how to apply.
Type of work permit for Professionals
| Types of Work Permit | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Employment pass Singapore is known as EP. This is a high end Singapore work permit for foreign professionals, managers and executives. To achieve this work pass, you must earn at least $4,500 per month and have related qualifications to your skills. |
| EntrePass | This pass is available for foreigners who want to start and operate a business in Singapore. Eligible foreign entrepreneurs must have innovative technologies or venture-backed ideas. |
| Personalised Employment Pass | Personalized Employment Pass which is called PEP. This pass is for high-earning foreigners who already exist Employment Pass or overseas foreign professionals. PEP has a greater flexibility than Employment Pass. |
Singapore work permit for Skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers.
| Types of Work Permit | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| S Pass | S Pass Singapore is highly obtained work permit. Which is available For mid-level skilled staff. To achieve this work permit candidates need to earn at least $2,500 a month. Also there is an assessment criteria. |
| Work Permit for migrant worker | This pass is suitable for semi-skilled migrant workers, who work in marine shipyard, manufacturing, process or services sector and construction field. |
| Work Permit for migrant domestic worker | This Singapore work permit is available for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to work legally in Singapore. |
| Work Permit for performing artiste | Foreign performers, who work in public entertainment outlets such as hotels, nightclubs and bars. |
| Work Permit for confinement nanny | This work permit category allows Malaysian nannies to work in Singapore for up to 16 weeks after the birth of the employer’s child. |
Singapore work permit for Trainees and students
| Types of Work Permit | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Training Employment Pass | This Singapore work permit for foreign professionals, who are undergoing practical training. Applicants must earn at least $3,000 per month to get this work permit. |
| Training Work Permit | This type of work permit for semi skilled foreign trainees or students, who are undergoing practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work and Holiday Visa Programme) | This Singapore work holiday pass is available to Australian students, and who are graduates. The age is should be between 18 to 30, who wish to work and holiday in Singapore for 1 year. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) | Work Holiday Pass Singapore is suitable for students and graduates. The age should be between 18 to 25, those who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 6 months. |
Singapore passes for family members
| Types of Work Permit | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Dependent Pass | Dependent Pass is for those foreigners, who want to bring their family in Singapore. Foreigners holds Employment Pass or S Pass holders can bring their spouse, children or both according to the eligibility. |
| Long Term Visit Pass | Eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders can apply Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for common-law spouses, parents, step-children or handicapped children. |
| Pre-approved Letter of Consent | Spouses or children of Singapore citizens or PR, who hold an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ certificate are eligible for this. The holders are pre-approved to work in Singapore. They can only apply for PLOC when applying for or renewing LTVP/LTVP+. |
| Letter of Consent for Dependant’s Pass holders who are business owners | To eligible of Letter of Consent (LOC) for Dependant’s Pass holders who want to operate a business in Singapore. |
| Letter of Consent for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders | Spouses or children of Singapore citizens or PRs holding an LTVP/LTVP+ issued by ICA are eligible. The Letter of Consent (LOC) allows the holder to work in Singapore. Only employer can apply for the LOC. |
Exemptions and working while on a visit pass and student pass.
| Types of Work Passes | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Work pass exemption for foreign students | This criteria falls under for foreign students who study full-time at an approved university, school or institution in Singapore. |
| Work Pass Exempt Activities | Candidates must notify to MOM for their activities to perform short-term activities without a work pass if they are eligible. |
| Work passes for holders of Long Term Visit Passes issued by ICA | For those foreigners who married to a Singapore citizens or permanent resident, or parents accompanying a child who is studying in Singapore. |
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | This work pass is for religious workers, foreign speakers and journalists who accept a short-term work assignment of up to 60 days in Singapore. |
Singapore work permit visa cost
Singapore work permit visa cost depends on the category of the visa. Singapore work permit visa cost vary between SGD 200 to SGD 400 including your in-principle approval ( IPA ) letter and Singapore work permit card. If you get an employment in Singapore directly without any agent then usually there is no cost for the visa. You only have to bear flight ticket and in some special cases employer even arrange flight ticket for you.
How can I track my Singapore work permit
After submission your application online you can easily track your application with the official link Check work pass and application status. Once you click the link there would be a window open. Fill your personal information and you’ll get your information about your Singapore work permit.
Singapore work permit processing time
Within 1 week normally Ministry of Manpower (MOM) decide work permit application.
Yes, it’s relatively fast as compared to many countries. But, in some cases it can be delayed because they need they need additional documents or information according to your application.
