Singapore work visa categories for Chinese
Wondering which work visa suits your career in Singapore? As a Chinese citizen, you can choose from:
- Short-term passes for temporary job opportunities.
- Professional work visas for experts in their fields.
- Work permits for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
- Business visas.
- Student and internship passes.
What’s the process for Chinese citizens to obtain a Singapore work visa?
To work in Singapore, Chinese must first find a job. Once employed, your employer or a registered employment agency will take care of your work visa application through EP Online, the Ministry of Manpower’s online system.
How can Chinese obtain a Singapore work visa?
If you're a Chinese citizen aiming to work in Singapore, follow these essential steps:
- Find a job. A valid job offer from a Singapore employer is required.
- Employer applies. While you're still in China, your employer or EA submits your visa application through EP Online, paying the necessary fee.
- Wait for approval. If successful, you'll receive an IPA letter to enter Singapore; if denied, the visa cannot be issued.
- Travel and finalize the process. Upon arrival, your employer will finalize your work pass, which requires another processing fee.
- Receive work authorization. The notification letter allows you to work and travel while waiting for your official pass.
- Complete registration. Within two weeks, visit the EPSC to receive your official work pass card.
Looking for job search tips and visa guidance? Check out more details on working in Singapore.
Can Chinese work in Singapore on a short-term Visit Pass?
Typically, Chinese visitors on a short-term Visit Pass are not allowed to perform any work-related tasks in Singapore. However, those involved in specific activities—such as journalists or public event speakers—may qualify for a Miscellaneous Work Pass, which permits them to work for a period of up to 60 days.
Work visa options in Singapore for professionals from China
Chinese citizens looking to work in Singapore have several visa options based on their qualifications and career goals:
- Employment Pass (EP) – designed for skilled professionals, executives, and managers who earn at least 3,600 SGD per month.
- Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) – a more flexible visa option for high-income foreign nationals or those already employed in Singapore.
- EntrePass – ideal for entrepreneurs and investors planning to launch a business in Singapore.
Do Chinese citizens need to pay for a Singapore work visa?
Singapore does not impose a fixed cost for work visa applications. Instead, the main condition for obtaining a professional work visa is meeting the minimum salary requirement of 3,600 SGD per month.
Keep up with the latest news on Singapore's Employment Pass and Student Pass for 2025 by clicking here.
Skilled and semi-skilled work visa options in Singapore for Chinese
If you're a skilled or semi-skilled worker from China planning to work in Singapore, you may qualify for:
- S Pass – for skilled workers with a minimum salary of 2,300 SGD per month; quotas and levies apply.
- Migrant worker permit – available for employment in specific industries such as shipyards and services.
- Foreign domestic worker permit (FDW) – issued to workers from select countries between the ages of 23 and 50.
- Confinement nanny permit – open to Malaysian nannies for up to 16 weeks after childbirth.
- Performing artiste permit – for entertainers working in designated venues.
Singapore work visa cost
There is no standard application fee for obtaining a work visa in Singapore. To be eligible for an S Pass, which is issued to skilled mid-level workers, you must earn at least 2,300 SGD per month.
Singapore business visa options for Chinese citizens
Chinese citizens can obtain a Singapore business visa, which offers multiple entries over a two-year period. Each entry allows a stay of up to 30 days.
For a smooth application process, apply at least two weeks before your travel date. This visa is valid for business activities and visiting family and friends.
How to apply for a Singapore business visa as a Chinese citizen?
The online application process for a Singapore business visa has simplified the procedure for Chinese, reducing processing time to five to seven working days.
After approval, your visa will be provided in PDF format, making it easy to print and carry for your trip.
Business visa requirements for Chinese citizens traveling to Singapore
If you're a Chinese citizen planning to visit Singapore for business purposes, you’ll need to provide the following documents when applying for a business visa:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages
- A recent 35×45 mm passport-size color photo with a white background
- Completed Form V39(A)
- An invitation letter from the host company in Singapore
- A personal cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit
- A bank statement for the last six months with a bank seal
- A confirmed return flight ticket
Additional documents may be required depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. These can include proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking), an employment card to verify your professional status, or business-related documents such as a partnership agreement or company registration certificate.
To ensure a safe trip, it is highly recommended to purchase medical and travel insurance, as healthcare costs in Singapore can be expensive.
For more information about the Singapore business visa process and requirements, click here.
Work visa options in Singapore for interns and students from China
Chinese citizens looking to work in Singapore can choose from these visa options:
- Training Employment Pass – for short-term education and training up to three months, with no fees or quotas required.
- Work Holiday Pass – available to citizens of select countries under the Working Holiday Program. Applicants must be between 18-25 years old (18-30 for Australians), and the pass is non-renewable.
- Training Work Permit – intended for students or trainees seeking hands-on work experience in Singapore for up to six months.
Singapore Training Employment Pass costs
The total cost of applying for a Training Employment Pass in Singapore includes:
- S$105 application fee, paid at the submission stage.
- Three-week processing time, during which the IPA letter is issued if approved.
- S$225 issuance fee, due upon arrival for the final pass application through EP Online.
What is the cost of a Singapore Training Work Permit?
The application fee for a Training Work Permit in Singapore is S$35, which covers the processing of your application.
Job sectors in Singapore for Chinese citizens: What you should know?
Singapore has a range of job sectors offering employment opportunities for Chinese citizens, including:
1. Information Technology (IT) and Software Development
- Software Engineers
- Data Analysts
- Cybersecurity Specialists
- Network Administrators
2. Healthcare
- Nurses (especially from Sri Lanka and the Philippines)
- Medical Technicians
- Healthcare Assistants
3. Construction and Engineering
- Civil Engineers
- Construction Workers
- Electrical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
4. Hospitality and Tourism
- Hotel Managers
- Chefs/Cooks
- Front Desk Officers
- Waitstaff
5. Manufacturing
- Factory Workers
- Machine Operators
- Quality Control Technicians
6. Domestic Work
- Domestic Helpers (mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka)
- Nannies
- Caregivers
Work permit criteria for Chinese citizens in Singapore
To obtain a work permit in Singapore, Chinese citizens must meet the following criteria, set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM):
- The hiring company must have an appropriate work permit quota.
- Workers must come from countries such as Malaysia, China, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. Certain industries are allowed to hire workers from non-traditional countries.
- The minimum age for foreign workers is 18, and the maximum age is 50. Malaysians are eligible to work until the age of 58.
- A monthly fee applies for Chinese workers under the work permit system.
- A security deposit is required for non-Malaysian workers.
- All workers must have medical insurance with minimum coverage.
- A pre-employment medical examination is necessary to ensure the worker is fit for the role.
- Workers in certain industries must take safety courses.
Steps for Chinese to apply for a work permit in Singapore
Step 1. Identify the right work permit
Based on your qualifications and the field you will work in, select the most suitable work visa for your application.
Step 2. Confirm your job offer
Before you apply for your work permit, ensure that you have a signed employment contract or formal job offer from your employer. Also, check that your employer is eligible to hire foreign workers.
Step 3. Completing the application submission by the employer
To complete the application, the employer must log into the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) system and:
- Fill out the application form.
- Upload the required documents, such as passport, employment contract, and educational certificates.
- Provide necessary details including salary, work conditions, and job location.
Step 4. Pay the application fee for the work permit
The employer needs to pay an application fee, which varies based on the type of work permit. The fee generally falls between 30 and 105 SGD.
Step 5. Monitor the application status
Check the progress of your application through the MOM online system. Most applications are processed within 1 to 3 weeks.
Step 6. Get your pre-approval letter (IPA)
Once the application is approved, the employer can download the IPA (In-Principle Approval) letter, which authorizes the employee to enter Singapore.
Step 7. Complete your pass application
After arriving in Singapore, you need to:
- Take a medical examination at an approved clinic and get the medical report.
- Ensure you provide insurance coverage in accordance with MOM’s requirements.
- Log into the MOM system to pay extra fees and book a date for receiving your work permit card.
Step 8. Go to the MOM card collection center
When you attend your appointment at the MOM card collection center, ensure you provide these required documents:
- Passport
- IPA letter
- Medical report
- Proof of insurance coverage
After submitting these documents, you will receive your work permit card.
Step 9. Begin your work
Once you have your work permit, you can begin working in Singapore.
Required documents for Chinese to apply for a work permit in Singapore
Chinese citizens must provide the following documents to apply for a work permit in Singapore:
- A scanned copy of the passport biodata page
- Education certificates (if applicable)
- A written consent form to submit the application
- Health insurance
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