Singapore work visa for citizens of Pakistan, Philippines, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, and other countries

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.

How to get singapore work visa from Pakistan, Philippines, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, and other countries?

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.

Singapore work visa requirements

The procedure for obtaining a work visa to Singapore is as follows:

1. Find a job in Singapore.
2. 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.
3. If your application is accepted, your employer will receive a letter of In-Principle Approval (IPA) which you can use to enter Singapore.
4. If your application is rejected, your employer will receive an In-Principle Rejection letter instead. You will not get a work visa.
5. Using your IPA letter, you can travel to Singapore.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Within two weeks of your pass being issued, you must register at the Employment Pass Service Center (EPSC).
9. After registration, you will receive a Pass Card - usually within 4 working days.

Read more about Work in Singapore for expats: employment features, types of work visas and where to look for work.

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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.

Singapore work visa fee

There is no fixed work visa fee to Singapore. The only requirement is minimum monthly salary of 3,600 Singapore dollars per month if you want to apply for work visa to Singapore for professionals.

To stay informed about all the updated about Singapore employment pass and Singapore student pass in 2024, read more here.

Work visas to Singapore for skilled and semi-skilled workers and Singapore work visa fee 

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.

Singapore work visa fee

There is no fixed work visa fee to Singapore. The only requirement is minimum monthly salary of at least 2,300 Singapore dollars if you want to apply for S Pass – available to skilled mid-level workers.

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.

Singapore business visa requirements 

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.

You can find out even more information about Singapore business visa, how it works and its prospects here.

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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.

Singapore work visa fee for Training Employment Pass

There is a $105 fee for each application.

If the pass is approved (the processing time for a Training Employment Pass is approximately three weeks), your employer will receive a policy approval (IPA) letter.

Once you arrive in Singapore, your employer submits another application via EP Online, this time to obtain a pass.

You must pay another visa fee, which is S$225 per ticket.

Singapore work visa fee for Training Work Permit

An application processing fee is S$35.

Singapore jobs: In what job sectors can expats work in Singapore?

Here are some of the top job sectors in Singapore for citizens of countries like Pakistan, Philippines, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, and others:

1. Information Technology (IT) and Software Development

- Software Engineers

- Data Analysts

- Cybersecurity Specialists

- Network Administrators

2. Healthcare

- Nurses (especially 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/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