Work Opportunities In Singapore For Foreign Applicants

Are you a foreign professional who wants to get a vibrant career centre in Asia? The Lion city is not only a global capital of finance, but it is also a hub of expat talent, Singapore is a pro-business environment, its governance is stable, and it is actively recruiting skilled expatriates to occupy high demand positions.3

This holistic, E-A-T friendly guide, which is based on the current regulations of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) cuts through the complexity. We will demonstrate the step-by-step way of how to navigate the job market, learn the key Work Passes and Visas and get yourself an exciting work opportunity in Singapore. Prepare to turn your resume into an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter!

Job Search and Application Process in 4 Steps

Making employment arrangement in Singapore is a tactical procedure that needs local understanding and adherence to the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF).6

Singapore Employment Options For Non-Skilled Workers

Essentials of Finding a Local Sponsor

Online Search & Research: Begin by searching the local Job Portals such as MyCareersFuture (state-sponsored portal), LinkedIn, and Indeed. Known research firms hiring Foreign Talent and Salary Benchmarks in the industry.
Professional Networking: Take advantage of the available Expat Community / Network by getting referrals. Refer to Special Recruitment Agencies / Headhunters since in most cases, they do the visa paperwork.
Application and FCF: In case an employer posts an EP-level job, he or she must under FCF, post it in MyCareersFuture of at least 14 days to have a fair consideration of the local candidates. Provide a Singapore based Curriculum vitae (CV) / Resume and Cover Letter.
Work Pass Sponsorship: Your employer can then sponsor your work pass and upon successful application you get the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which you will need to use to enter Singapore to formalize your work pass.9

Financial Planning and relocation (The Expat Reality)

Singapore is an expensive country that requires to be considered in your salary negotiations.10

Salary and Cost of Living

Qualifying Salary is Fixed: The minimum salary of the EP will be according to fixed monthly salary, not counting any bonuses or allowances.11 Be sure your negotiated salary is to this level, which is adjusted to your age.12
Relocation Package: Agree upon a Relocation Package to assist with the initial expenses such as flight tickets, temporary housing and transporting the goods.
Tax Efficiency: Singapore boasts of good rates of personal income tax, which is usually one of the key attractions of highly earning foreign professionals. Nevertheless, consult a local tax specialist.

FAQs

Can my family join me in Singapore?

Yes. When you have an EP or S Pass and a minimum monthly income of at least S6000, you can apply to have your legally married spouse and unmarried children below the age of 21 given a Dependant Pass (DP).14Dependant Passes14Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)The salary requirement is S12000 each month.

Who are the COMPASS and what do they do to me?

This points-based system of EP applications is called COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) and requires 40 points of a combination of foundational (Salary, Qualifications, Diversity, Support Local Employment) and bonus (Skills Shortage List, Economic Priority) criteria.15 This guarantees that Singapore recruits high quality, complementary foreign talent.17

What is the duration of Work pass application?

Ordinary EP applications are normally processed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within three weeks.18 (Nevertheless, complicated cases, particularly those that require additional scrutiny by COMPASS) may take a long time.

I am an entrepreneur. What is the best pass for me?

EntrePass is tailored to foreign entrepreneurs wishing to launch a venture-backed and innovative business in Singapore.19 Alternatively, the ONE Pass allows the top business founders in the world to have flexibility as they must earn high salary.20

Am I required to have a company to sponsor me in order to seek employment?

Most of the passes, such as the Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass, yes, you need to have job offer and application should be submitted to the Singapore-based company (you Local Sponsor).21 The exceptions are the PEP and ONE Pass, which provide the freedom of not being under contract with the particular employer.22

Final Thought

The competitive nature of the Singapore market requires Foreign Talent that can indeed translate into a gap in the local market. The recent changes to the EP qualifying salary and introduction of COMPASS are not detoxifiers but are just markers: it indicates that the city-state is seeking the best in class. With the emphasis on Technology & IT, Finance, and Life Sciences, getting a powerful Local Sponsor, and being careful with the regulations of the MOM, your dream job in this dynamic city-state is not far away!

Disclaimer

This employment data is only provided to educate and inform and is compiled on the latest data available reports and official government guidelines (MOM). Although not everything listed applies to me, before applying or making any form of relocation decision, please ensure that all the information, particularly that relating to work pass eligibility, minimum qualifying salaries, and application procedures are verified and found on the official employer or government site.