If you’re looking to move to Singapore, this post is for you. We cover: the process of obtaining a work visa, obtaining a social security number, and types of jobs that are typically available. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to find success Work Passes Singapore. Welcome, friend. You’re here because you’ve either just accepted a new job offer in Singapore or are thinking about starting new employment and live elsewhere. This article is designed to help both groups of people move here with the least amount of fuss and the maximum amount of ease. If you have any questions after reading this blog post, feel free to send an email my way! We’ll answer your questions as soon as possible!
Preamble
Moving to a new country is never easy- there’s lots of paperwork and other administrative nonsense that needs attending before you can even start looking for work or living your life. We’ve covered some of this in the past, but this post will focus on the bureaucratic nightmare that is getting a work permit in Singapore.
Who is affected?
Foreigners who are looking to Work Passes Singapore for an extended period of time are required to have a work permit. Most people who have worked in Singapore for years will already have a work pass or employment pass. If you’re moving to Singapore from another country, you should consult the embassy of your current country to see what kind of visa you would need and how long it takes to get it. The process can take weeks or months and immigration might not be equipped with all the detailed information about immigration needs for their country’s citizens.
What is a work pass?
At the time of writing this article, the type of work permit you will require depends on your country of origin. If you are from North America, Europe, China, South-east Asia (including Australia and New Zealand) or if you possess a Taiwanese passport, you can obtain an employment pass. If not, then you might need to obtain a dependent’s pass for your immediate family members instead. Work pass requirements and the process in general will be different based on your country of origin. The email address that I’ve provided below is aware of this fact and will be able to answer any questions specific to foreigners coming from your country.
How do I obtain a work pass?
Employment or Work Passes Singapore are issued to citizens of certain countries by the Ministry of Manpower’s Employment Pass Division (EPD). You need to submit an application and several supporting documents to the EPD. The document checklist is extensive and will be sent to you when you accept a job offer. The EPD is usually good with responding to your inquiries in a timely fashion, so feel free to email them if you have trouble finding the right form! They can also answer any questions that you might have about your employment pass application.
What is a Social Security Number (SSN)?
In general, a social security number is a unique number issued by the government that identifies you as a specific individual. If you’re going to live in Singapore, then chances are that you will be required to obtain an SSN. This step can be handled independently of your work pass by going directly to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to apply for an SSN. Once you have the SSN, you must then provide it to your employer in order for them to register it with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
What is a work visa?
If you’re a citizen of a specific country, then you can obtain a visa after you have received any necessary approvals from the EPD or IRAS. The types of visas that are available to you will depend on if you are married or single and whether or not your spouse owns property in Singapore. If your wife or husband does own property, your visa application will be considerably faster and easier to obtain and you can expect permission to stay here for close to two years instead of just 12 months (the maximum stay for non-married people).
Why do I need a work visa?
If you have a Work Passes Singapore or an employment pass, then you can stay in Singapore for up to 12 months, subject to renewal of your pass. If you are married to a Singaporean and possess property that is tied to his/her identity and not your own, then this amount of time may be extended until two years (at the maximum). The problem with this is that most employers will not continue to pay taxes while their workers are overseas unless they have personal income tax numbers (PINS) from the IRAS. Having a work permit gives them the authority to keep paying taxes and paying employees as long as they’re validly working.
