The Guide to Employment Permits for Foreign Workers in Singapore

For expatriate workers and their employers in Singapore, understanding the process to obtain a valid employment permit is vital. The Singapore government’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) issues a wide range of work passes and permits to expatriates planning to work in Singapore. Each of these employment permits is designed for a specific purpose and differs across various categories of employees, based on their professional skills and monthly salaries.

Some of the most common employment permits issued by the government of Singapore are discussed below:

Employment Pass
The Employment Pass (EP) is issued to expatriates employed as foreign managers, executives, and skilled professionals in Singapore, for an initial period of 2 years; thereafter, the pass can be renewed for up to three years at a time. The EP is generally issued to individuals with a job offer that includes a minimum monthly salary of SG$3,600. However, more experienced candidates are required to be offered a higher salary to qualify for the same.

Besides, candidates offered a monthly salary of SG$5,000 or more are also eligible to apply for a dependent’s pass for their legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. However, separate applications are required to be furnished for each family member.

Further, it is important for applicants to note that an EP can be applied for only by the employer or an employment agent. Therefore, it is mandatory for skilled professionals to first obtain a job offer in the country before applying for an EP. 
 
Usually the processing time for EP applications is up to five weeks; however, if submitted online the application may be processed within three weeks.

S Pass

The S Pass is similar to EP except that it is designed for mid-level skilled employees with a job offer that includes a minimum monthly salary of SG$2,200 or more. As with the EP, S passes are valid for up to two years and can be renewed for up to three years at a time. Also, applicants with a job offer of a monthly salary of SG$5,000 or more may ask their employer to apply for a dependent’s pass on their family’s behalf.
The processing time for S pass is generally 3
weeks.   

Documents for EP and S Pass Applications
Employers need to submit the following documents for both EP and S pass applications:
1.    Personal particulars page of the applicant’s passport;
2.    Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA); and
3.    Details of the applicant’s academic certificates. Applicants from India and China are required to furnish additional documents.

4.    Additional documents for Indian and Chinese nationals:

• Indian applicants – transcripts and marksheets.
• Chinese applicants – certificate of graduation and verification proof in English from sources recommended by the MoM.

Further, documents in languages other than English must be submitted along with a translated copy of each. Also, it is important to note that MoM may ask for more documents to be submitted at the time of processing applications.

 Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

The Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) is designed for high-earning foreign individuals who either already have an EP or are oversees foreign professionals. The minimum salary requirement for PEP is SG$12,000 per month for existing EP holders, and SG$18,000 per month for overseas foreign professionals. Candidates can apply for a PEP themselves. The application takes around eight weeks to process.

One key advantage for PEP holders is that the PEP allows them a greater job flexibility in Singapore; PEP holders can switch jobs without re-applying for another employment permit, and may continue to stay in the country for up to six months before securing the next job.

However, PEP can only be issued once for a period of three years. Thereafter, they need to either apply for an EP or S Pass to continue their employment in Singapore.

Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)

EntrePass is for foreign business professionals and entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business in Singapore. The pass is now valid for two years and candidates can apply for it themselves.

EntrePass is renewable as long as the renewal criteria are met. As per the the eligibility criteria stated by the MoM, the applicant’s company must have either:

• Funding from an accredited source; 
• Hold intellectual property (IP) registered with a recognized national IP institution; 
• Research collaboration with a recognized institution; or
• Be an incubatee at a Singapore government-supported incubator.

However, according to the MoM, businesses such as coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts, bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges, massage parlours, and employment agencies are not eligible under the EntrePass scheme.

Applicants may note that the previously established eligibility requirement of a minimum SG$50,000 paid-up capital in a Singapore based company has been abolished. The initiative aims to enhance the start-up environment in Singapore by making the EntrePass available to a broader pool of entrepreneurs.

Documents for EntrePass Applications

Documents required for EntrePass are:

1.    Copy of the personal particulars page of the applicant’s passport;
2.    Past employment testimonials in English; and
3.    A business plan in English.

For businesses registered with the ACRA:
1.    Company’s latest business profile or instant information
Additional documents may be required at the time of application process.

Work Permit
Semi-skilled foreign workers applying for jobs in construction, manufacturing, or the services sector in Singapore are required to apply for a Singapore Work Permit (WP). There are three kinds of WPs issued by the government, depending on the sector of the applicant’s job. These are: WP for foreign domestic workers; WP for confinement nanny; and WP for performing artists.

Only workers from approved countries are eligible for work permits provided the employer pays a levy and the security bond, meet the quota criterion, and provide the worker with a healthcare insurance.

The WP is usually valid for up to two years, and is subject to foreign workers’ contract with the associated employer. Additionally, employees entering Singapore on a WP visa are not permitted to apply for dependent’s pass for family.

WP can only be applied for by the employer on the worker’s behalf.  The processing time for a WP is one to seven working days.

Other Short Duration Employment Visas

• Training Employment Pass (TEP)
• A TEP is issued to foreigners engaged in practical training for jobs of a professional, managerial, executive, or specialist nature in Singapore. The candidates applying for TEP must earn at least SG$3,000 a month. TEP is valid for a maximum period of three months, and is not renewable.
• Training Work Permit (TWP)
• TWP is for eligible unskilled or semi-skilled foreign trainees or students on practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months. A foreign student on a TWP is subject to levy and only 5 percent of the employer’s total workforce, or 15 trainees can be issued TWP. This 5 percent quota is in addition to the company’s quota for foreign workers.
• Miscellaneous Work Pass
• This pass allows foreigners to work in Singapore on a specific project up two months. It is a one-time, and non-renewable permit.

Recommendations
Singapore’s total foreign workforce for the year 2016 stood at around 1.4 million, according to the statistics provided by the MoM. With the growing number of expatriates working in Singapore, the government has toughened rules for the issuance of various employment permits, and made it a more complex process. As work passes and permits differ for different categories of employees, it is advisable for applicants to consult professionals, and involve them early in the application process for a smooth processing. Our experts at Dezan Shira & Associates are well placed to advise on aspects related to hiring foreign staff in Singapore. For further information please contact Singapore@dezshira.com.
 
This article was first published on ASEAN Briefing.

Since its establishment in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates has been guiding foreign clients through Asia’s complex regulatory environment and assisting them with all aspects of legal, accounting, tax, internal control, HR, payroll, and audit matters. As a full-service consultancy with operational offices across China, Hong Kong, India, and ASEAN, we are your reliable partner for business expansion in this region and beyond.

For inquiries, please email us at info@dezshira.com. Further information about our firm can be found at: www.dezshira.com.