Visa Permits

Singapore has become the ideal business and commercial hub in Southeast Asia, partly due to its creative immigration policies designed to attract seasoned entrepreneurs and working professionals from around the world

Work permits and employment-based visas

The Employment Pass (EP) is the main type of work permit meant for company owners or skilled employees who will be working in Singapore. Your fixed monthly salary must be more than S$3,600 ($2,630/€2,350). There is no official quota system limiting the number of EPs that can be issued.

• Validity: an EP is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the company.
• Eligibility: company owners and professional staff with tertiary education and relevant experience.
• Quota System: there is no official quota system for EPs.
• Permanent Residence Eligibility: employment Pass holders are eligible to apply for PR in due course.

What documents do you need?

• An EP Application Form 8, duly endorsed by the employing Singapore company
• A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates
• References/testimonials from previous employers
• A passport-size photograph of yourself, taken within the past three months
• A copy of the personal particulars page of your passport
• A copy of the business profile of the employing Singapore company
• A detailed description of your job duties
• A detailed description of the activities and/or products of the employing Singapore company

Singapore work permit application form

• If this is the first time your company is applying for a Work Permit, you need to declare your business activity. You should also refer to the Work Permit requirements.
• The Work Permit duration is usually 2 years, but it may be shorter depending on:
  1. Validity of the worker’s passport: Work Permit validity will be 1 month before the passport expires
  2. Duration of the security bond: Work Permit validity will be 2 months before the security bond expires

Do you need a residence permit in Singapore

As a foreigner, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence if you are a/an:

• Spouse of a Singapore citizen (SC) or Singapore permanent resident (PR)
• Unmarried child aged below 21 born within the context of legal marriage to, or have been legally adopted by, an SC or PR
• Aged parent of an SC
• Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass
• Students studying in Singapore
• Foreign investor in Singapore.

Long-term visa for Singapore

You can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass for your family if you meet these requirements:

• Hold an Employment Pass or S Pass.
• Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $6,000 (€ 5,350). This is based on your salary, and not based on your combined household income.
• Are sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company (usually your employer).

You can get a pass for the following family members:

• Common-law spouse.
• Unmarried handicapped children above 21 years old.
• Unmarried step-children under 21 years old.
• Parents – only for those earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000 (€10,710).

Work visa requirements in Singapore

When it comes to Singapore, there is nothing called a Singapore Work Visa. The authorities in lieu of the work visa issue something called a work permit or work pass which enables foreigners to take up temporary or permanent work in the country. As per the rules of the work permit, the employers who engage foreign workers in Singapore need to provide them with a salary for their service, maintain a security bond as well as provide them with health insurance.