Types of work visas to Singapore
Work visas to Singapore are divided into:
- Business visa
- Short-term work passes.
- Work visas to Singapore for specialists.
- Work visas to Singapore for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
- Work visas to Singapore for interns and students.
- Short-term work passes.
A business visa to Singapore is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to two years from the date of issue. However, each entry is valid for a maximum of 30 days. You must apply for a business visa to Singapore at least two weeks before your intended travel date.
You can use this visa to visit Singapore for business purposes and to visit friends and family.
How to apply for a business visa to Singapore
A convenient electronic system is available for issuing a business visa to Singapore. This system greatly simplified and accelerated the process. You can usually receive a visa within five to seven working days from the time of application. Your visa will arrive as a pdf file during this application process, which you can print.
To obtain a business visa in Singapore, the following must be submitted with the completed application:
- Original passport valid for at least six months and at least two blank pages
- A recent 35×45 color photo with a white background
- Completed form V39(A)
- Invitation letter from the host company
- A personal cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip
- Bank statement for the last six months with bank seal
- Confirmed return plane ticket
There may be additional documents depending on the reason for the trip, length of stay, or citizenship.
In some situations, you may be asked where you will be staying and may need to provide proof of this, such as showing a hotel reservation.
You may need to submit an employment card to prove your employment or to confirm your company, such as a partnership agreement or registration certificate. You may also need to provide proof of your residence abroad.
It is also recommended that you purchase medical and travel insurance in case of medical emergencies while in Singapore, as medical care here can be very expensive.
💡 Tip: To ensure a safe move to Singapore
, we advise you to contact a specialist. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.
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Short-term work is accepted in Singapore
Foreign workers who as on a short-term Visit Pass to Singapore usually cannot take up any work related activities. However, in certain cases (such as in the case of journalists or speakers at public events), the holder can apply for a Miscellaneous Work Pass. it allows the holder to work for a period not exceeding 60 days.
Foreign students who are studying in Singapore with a Study Visa can also work if they meet specific requirements, such as being enrolled at an approved educational institution.
Work visas to Singapore for professionals
Employment Pass – available to foreign managers, executives, and professionals. You will need to earn at least 3,600 Singapore dollars per month.
Personalized Employment Pass – available if you are a high-income foreign national or have current employment. The PEP offers more flexibility than other work passes.
EntrePass – available for investors or entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Singapore.
Work visas to Singapore for skilled and semi-skilled workers
If you are a skilled or semi-skilled worker, you can apply for one of the following work visas to Singapore:
S Pass– available to skilled mid-level workers with a monthly salary of at least 2,300 Singapore dollars. Foreign worker quotas and fees apply.
Work Permit for migrant workers– this is only available to foreign workers from certain countries and allows you to work only in certain industries (construction, manufacturing, shipyards, manufacturing, or services). Foreign worker quotas and fees apply.
Work Permit for foreign domestic workers (FDW)– only available to workers between the ages of 23 and 50 from certain countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, etc.
Work Permit for confinement nanny– Available to Malaysian nannies who can work in Singapore for 16 weeks starting from the birth of the baby. The employer must pay the fee to the foreign worker.
Work Permit for performing artiste- Available to performers who will be working in eligible public entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, or hotels. Foreign worker quotas and fees apply.
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Work visas to Singapore for interns and students
Singapore work visas are available for international students or interns:
Training Employment Pass– available to foreign nationals who wish to undertake education in Singapore that does not exceed three months. There are no fees or quotas for foreign workers.
Work Holiday Pass– available to foreign nationals participating in the Working Holiday program with Singapore (Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States). It is only available to citizens aged 18-25 (18-30 for Australians). It is non-renewable and the owner can only get it once.
Training Work Permit– Available to unskilled or semi-skilled foreign students/trainees to undertake practical training in Singapore for up to six months only.
How to apply for a work visa in Singapore?
Before applying for a work visa, you will need to find a job in Singapore. This is because your employer (or employment agency) is responsible for processing your Singapore work visa application.
Your employer or employment agency can apply for a Singapore work visa using EP Online, the online application service on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website.
The procedure for obtaining a work visa to Singapore is as follows:
- Find a job in Singapore.
- While you are still in your home country, your employer or Employment Agency (EA) will apply for a work visa through EP Online. They will have to pay a processing fee.
- If your application is accepted, your employer will receive a letter of In-Principle Approval (IPA) which you can use to enter Singapore.
- If your application is rejected, your employer will receive an In-Principle Rejection letter instead. You will not get a work visa.
- Using your IPA letter, you can travel to Singapore.
- Once you are there, your employer or EA applies through EP Online to obtain your work visa to Singapore. Again, they'll have to pay another fee, this time for the Pass itself.
- If your work pass is issued, you will receive a notification letter. This letter contains information about whether you need to take a photo and fingerprints. It also allows you to start work, leave and enter Singapore until you get your work card.
- Within two weeks of your pass being issued, you must register at the Employment Pass Service Center (EPSC).
- After registration, you will receive a Pass Card - usually within 4 working days.
Singapore Work Permit (WP) Requirements
- The hiring company must have an appropriate work permit quota;
- Foreign nationals must come from certain approved traditional countries of origin such as Malaysia, China, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. Only certain industries are allowed to hire a workforce from a non-traditional source
- Minimum age: 18, and the maximum age for foreign workers is 50 years. Only Malaysians are eligible to work on a work visa up to the age of 58;
- The monthly foreign worker fee applies to this work receipt;
- A security deposit is required for a non-Malaysian work permit holder;
- Medical insurance with minimum coverage is required;
- Pre-employment medical examination – a foreign worker must undergo a medical examination to ensure that the worker is fit for work;
- Certain industries are required to take certain safety courses.
Documents required for obtaining a work permit
- Scanned copy of passport biodata
- Education (if any)
- Written consent of the applicant to submit an application
💡 Tip: To ensure a safe move to Singapore
, we advise you to contact a specialist. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.
Get fast and convenient legal assistance online! Pay for services and get answers to all your questions - all in just a few clicks!
How to apply for a work permit to Singapore?
To apply, you can use a third-party agency or ask your employer to apply. To submit a work permit, you need access to a WPOL account.
Application submission:
Step 1: Obtain written consent from the applicant to apply for a work permit, then log into your WPOL account to complete the application form and upload the required documents;
Step 2: Pay the required application fee with Giro, Visa, or Master Card;
Step 3: Check your application status in just 1 week
Step 4: Once the application is approved, you can log into WPOL to download the IPA letter;
Step 5: Log into WPOL to obtain your pass and pay the required fees and proceed to the MOM card collection center to attend your appointment. However, you will need to have all your insurance, medical report, and bond to be issued a work permit.
❗️ To safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.
With our health insurance package, you get access to high-quality medical care anytime, anywhere. Our policy covers a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events right now. Choose insurance on our website and receive your policy by email in just a few minutes.