Comply with Singapore visa laws and obtain the correct work permits for employees working in Singapore using our expert PEO services.
Expanding into Singapore is an exciting venture, especially due to its strong, growing economy and extensive global connectivity. However, global expansion also comes with a raft of logistical challenges. Obtaining a work visa in Singapore is one of these obstacles.
While obtaining a work permit is difficult at the best of times, new rules around Dependant Passes in Singapore have meant that navigating visas have become more difficult for businesses expanding into Singapore. As such applying for visas in Singapore takes up a colossal amount of time and resources, not to mention incurring additional costs.
Our Singapore PEO Services can help you apply for the correct work permit in Singapore helping you to comply with the latest regulations so you can focus on growing your business. Read on to find out all you need to know about Singapore work visas and how our PEO services can help you navigate each step.
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What are the types of Singapore work visa?
As with many countries, Singapore has different work permits, or passes as they are called in Singapore, for different roles and skill levels. The main type of work permits include:
- Employment pass - candidates must earn $4,500 a month to qualify
- S pass - mid-skill level earning $2,500 a month
- Personalised employment pas - offers greater flexibility for higher earners
- EntrePass - for entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business in Singapore
Each visa has different requirements and therefore requires different documentation. Likewise, there are many more passes than those listed above, all with varying eligibility. It is important that you have an in-depth knowledge of each visa, its eligibility and application processes to ensure full compliance when engaging people in Singapore.
To find out more about pass types in Singapore and their eligibility, visit the Singapore government website.
How do I apply for a Singapore work visa?
Employers or employment agents are required to apply for work visas on behalf of employees. While each pass in Singapore has different eligibility requirements and therefore each have their own stringent application processes, for the most common type of work visa, and Employment Pass, you will need:
- A copy of your employee's passport
- Any educational certificates, e.g., degree certificates that are required
- Hiring company's business page or information registered with ACRA
If documents are not in English then these will need to be translated using a third-party translator, if required. Both the original and English documents should be uploaded together in one file. You can find out more about the required documents on the Singapore Government website.
For applications submitted online the process usually takes around 3 weeks. However, for overseas companies without a Singapore-registered office, applications can take up to 8 weeks. Meanwhile, if there are errors with the application or if further information is needed, then applications can take considerably longer to process.
As you can see, for overseas companies, applying for a Singapore work visa is complex as well as time-consuming and can put your expansion plans on hold.
How much do Singapore Employment Passes cost?
Again, the cost of an employment visa in Singapore varies depending on the type of visa. However, the Singapore Government gives a rough cost of $105 for an Employment Pass.
This does not include the cost of document translations as well as other extra costs incurred such as staff to process applications or the cost of possible re-applications or follow up questions.
Have changes to Dependant Passes impacted visa applications?
As a result of changes to Dependant Passes in Singapore, obtaining work permits in Singapore has become increasingly more difficult. Essentially, where dependants of those working in Singapore could work on a Dependant's Pass they now require their own visa to live and work in Singapore.
In order to overcome changes to Dependant’s Passes, employers will have to sponsor work permits for employee spouses or instead risk losing current and new employees.
This makes visa applications even more complex, time-consuming and costly not to mention increasing compliance risk due to the involvement of a second visa for spouses.
These changes to employment laws in Singapore and the complex and costly ways in which businesses would need to overcome them, reinforce the importance of employing a recruitment and PEO partner in Singapore.
You can read more on the changes to Singapore employment laws and visas in our blog.
Why use a PEO partner to obtain a Singapore work permit?
As you can see applying for a Singapore visa is a complex process laden with risk. Applying independently can result in non-compliance which in turn runs a huge risk of fines, penalties and can jeopardise your new expansion into Singapore. Not to mention that applying for an employment pass is only one task to overcome when expanding your business into Singapore. Businesses also need to consider payroll, tax, national insurance contributions, recruitment and employment contracts to name but a few.
A PEO partner can take all of this from your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your company's expansion knowing that visa applications and employee management is taken care of compliantly. If you want to find out more about how our PEO Services in Singapore can support your global expansion, call our experts today on +65 3129 8575 or email [email protected].
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