Singapore work visa categories for Sri Lankans explained

For Sri Lankans planning to work in Singapore, there are different work visa options, including:

• Short-term passes for temporary work.
• Professional work visas for those in specialized fields.
• Permits for skilled and semi-skilled labor.
• Business visas.
• Intern and student work passes.

Applying for a Singapore work visa from Sri Lanka

Before applying for a work visa, you must secure employment in Singapore. Your employer or a licensed employment agency will be responsible for submitting the visa application via EP Online, an online system operated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

How to apply for a Singapore work visa as a Sri Lankan citizen?

Thinking about working in Singapore? Here's what you need to do:

1. Find a job first. Your employer or an authorized Employment Agency (EA) must sponsor your visa.
2. Application submission. While you are in Sri Lanka, your employer will apply through EP Online and pay the necessary processing fees.
3. Await the outcome. If approved, you will get an IPA letter, allowing you to travel to Singapore. If rejected, no work visa will be issued.
4. Travel with your IPA letter. Once approved, you can enter Singapore and proceed with the next steps.
5. Complete the process in Singapore. Your employer will submit the final work pass application and pay the issuance fee.
6. Start working. Upon receiving the notification letter, you can begin working immediately while waiting for your pass card.
7. EPSC registration. Complete your registration within two weeks of approval.
8. Receive your official Pass Card. Issued within four working days after registration.

Learn more about employment opportunities in Singapore and visa options for expats.

Short-term work permits in Singapore for Sri Lankans

If you're a Sri Lankan citizen visiting Singapore on a short-term Visit Pass, working is usually not permitted. However, in cases like media assignments or public speaking engagements, you can apply for a Miscellaneous Work Pass, which allows short-term work for a period of up to 60 days.

How can professionals from Sri Lanka obtain a work visa for Singapore?

If you're a Sri Lankan citizen, Singapore offers several work visa options depending on your career plans:

• Employment Pass (EP) – available to foreign professionals, executives, and managers with a minimum salary requirement of 3,600 SGD per month.
• Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) – designed for high-income individuals or those with existing employment in Singapore, providing more flexibility.
• EntrePass – suitable for entrepreneurs or investors intending to launch a business in Singapore.

Singapore work visa fees for Sri Lankan citizens

Instead, the key requirement is having a minimum monthly salary of 3,600 SGD to qualify for a professional work visa.

Stay updated on the latest changes to the Singapore Employment Pass and Student Pass in 2025 by reading more here.

Singapore work visa options for skilled and semi-skilled Sri Lankans

Sri Lankan citizens who are skilled or semi-skilled workers can apply for various work permits in Singapore, including:

• S Pass – for skilled mid-level workers with a salary of at least 2,300 SGD per month. Quotas and fees apply.
• Migrant worker permit – for workers from eligible countries employed in industries like construction, manufacturing, and services.
• Foreign domestic worker permit (FDW) – available to workers aged 23-50 from countries like India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
• Confinement nanny permit – specifically for Malaysian nannies who can work for 16 weeks after the baby's birth.
• Performing artiste permit – for performers hired by approved venues such as bars and hotels.

Singapore work visa fees

Singapore does not have a set fee for work visas. Instead, applicants for an S Pass, which is issued to skilled mid-level workers, must have a minimum monthly salary of 2,300 SGD to qualify.

Singapore business visa for Sri Lankan citizens: Requirements and validity

A Singapore business visa for Sri Lankan citizens is a multiple-entry visa with a validity of up to two years. However, each visit cannot exceed 30 days. It's important to apply at least two weeks before your planned departure.

In addition to business-related visits, this visa allows you to meet friends and family in Singapore.

How can Sri Lankans apply for a business visa to Singapore?

Applying for a business visa to Singapore is now easier than ever thanks to a convenient electronic system. This online process has significantly simplified and sped up visa issuance. In most cases, you can receive your visa within five to seven working days after submission.

Once your application is approved, the visa will be sent to you as a PDF file, which you can print and use for travel.

Required documents for a Singapore business visa for Sri Lankan citizens

If you're a Sri Lankan citizen applying for a business visa to Singapore, you will need to provide the following:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages
• A recent 35×45 mm photo with a white background
• Filled-out Form V39(A)
• An official invitation from a Singaporean company
• A cover letter explaining your visit purpose
• A bank statement for the last six months, stamped by your bank
• A return flight ticket

Additional documentation may be required, such as proof of accommodation (hotel reservation), employment verification, or business registration documents.

To ensure your safety during your stay, purchasing medical and travel insurance is highly recommended, as medical costs in Singapore can be expensive.

Discover more details about Singapore business visas and related procedures here.

Singapore work visa options for students and interns from Sri Lanka

International students and interns from Sri Lanka can apply for various work visas in Singapore, including:

• Training Employment Pass – suitable for short-term educational training programs in Singapore, with a duration of up to three months and no foreign worker quotas or fees.
• Work Holiday Pass – available under the Working Holiday Program for eligible citizens from select countries, aged 18-25 (or 18-30 for Australians). This pass is issued only once and is non-renewable.
• Training Work Permit – issued to foreign students or trainees, allowing them to participate in practical training for up to six months.

How much does a Singapore Training Employment Pass cost?

When applying for a Training Employment Pass, the costs involved are:

1. Application fee: S$105, payable at the time of submission.
2. Processing period: takes approximately three weeks. If approved, your employer will receive an IPA letter.
3. Issuance fee: upon your arrival in Singapore, an additional fee of S$225 is required for the final pass approval through EP Online.

How much does a Singapore Training Work Permit cost?

The cost of applying for a Training Work Permit in Singapore is S$35, which covers the processing fee for the application.

What job sectors can Sri Lankan citizens work in Singapore?

If you're a Sri Lankan citizen can apply for jobs in the following sectors in Singapore:

1. IT and Software Development

• Software Engineers
• Data Analysts
• Cybersecurity Experts
• Network Administrators

2. Healthcare

• Nurses (particularly from the Philippines and Sri Lanka)
• Medical Technicians
• Healthcare Assistants

3. Construction and Engineering

• Civil Engineers
• Construction Workers
• Electrical Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers

4. Hospitality and Tourism

• Hotel Managers
• Chefs and Cooks
• Front Desk Officers
• Waitstaff

5. Manufacturing

• Factory Workers
• Machine Operators
• Quality Control Technicians

6. Domestic Work

• Domestic Helpers (mainly from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka)
• Nannies
• Caregivers