An Overview of Singapore Work Visas

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.



The following are the main types of Singapore work permit schemes for foreigners in the professional employment visa category:



* Employment Pass (EP)

* Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)

* S Pass

* Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)



None of the above Singapore work permits except the S Pass come under a quota system. This means that the work permit will be approved mainly based on the credentials of the applicant and the employing company. More details about the above work passes are provided below:



Employment Pass: The Employment Pass (EP) is the main type of work permit meant for company owners or skilled employees that will be working in Singapore. Your fixed monthly salary must be more than S$2,500 and you should be a degree holder from a reputable university. There is no official quota system limiting the number of Employment Passes that can be issued.



Validity: Employment Pass 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.



Entrepreneur Pass: Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) type of work permit is a variation of Employment Pass and is the primary type of work pass for owners of newly incorporated (or to be incorporated) Singapore companies who wish to relocate to Singapore to operate their new business.



Validity: Entrepreneur Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable after that as long as the business remains viable.



Eligibility: Business owners who wish to incorporate a new company or have just incorporated a company that is less than six months old.



S Pass: The S Pass is for mid-skilled employees who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $1,800. S Pass applicants are assessed based on employer’s quota eligibility and applicant’s qualifications. Instead of a degree, a technical diploma is acceptable for this kind of work pass.



Validity: S Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable after that as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the employer.



Eligibility: Mid-level technical staff.



Personalised Employment Pass (PEP): The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of Employment Pass that is not tied to a specific employer. The biggest benefit of having a PEP work permit is that you can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass provided that you are not unemployed for more than six months. The biggest downside is that you are not allowed to start your own company as a PEP holder; instead it’s meant for you to be employed by a third-party employer. The eligibility requirements for PEP are quite strict.



Validity: PEP is issued for 5 years and non-renewable.



Eligibility: Well paid professionals who want to work in Singapore for an employer. PEP holders cannot start their own business in Singapore.





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