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Country Profile
Working in Singapore
Karen Grace Pascual, Jun 30, 2004
WORKING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore doesn’t require a visa from citizens of Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, or the ASEAN. But if you wish to live and work in Singapore you have to acquire a Work permit or Employment Pass
The Work Permit
A work permit is given to a foreigner who wishes to work in Singapore with a basic salary of S$1,500 and below per month. Work Permit is valid for two years. To apply for a work permit, a foreigner will need a local sponsor who is the company employing him/her.
The Employment Pass
This is given to a foreigner who wants to work or do business in Singapore with a basic salary of more than more than S$ 2,000. Employment Pass is valid up to five years.
Getting an Employment Pass
Two copies of Form 8
One copy each of academic or professional qualifications and testimonials from the previous employers
Two recent passport-size pictures
If married, a copy of Marriage Certificate and spouse's educational certificates if your spouse is a Singapore Citizen / Permanent Resident or is currently working in Singapore
*** Employment Pass holders can apply for dependent's pass or social visit pass
**** Application for the Renewal of Employment Pass should be made two months before the expiration of existing Employment Pass.
*****An Employment Pass carry an annual fee of $30 S per year and take about 6 weeks to process.
Employment Trends
Singapore relies on foreign workers for two types of jobs: low-skilled positions and high-tech and R&D jobs for which not many Singaporeans can do. Singapore welcomes highly qualified foreigners for migration. The fields of life science, chemical, finance and IT are industries, which demand a large number of professionals. The media industry, with such satellite and cable giants as MTV, HBO, ABN and Discovery setting up shop here, has tremendous opportunities for voice talents, show hosts and a whole range of media-related jobs.
Singapore's economic blueprint for the next century, titled Industry 21, calls for the creation of 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs each year. Of these, 15,000 will be in manufacturing, 5,000 to 10,000 in exportable services. Industries that have a particularly strong need for workers include electronics, chemicals, biomedical sciences, engineering, and information technology.
Financial Matters
Salaries are very competitive and breaks even with the cost of living in Singapore. Often times, employees receive compensation packages that includes transportation, housing , childcare, education and entertainment.
Public transportations are not a problem with a new light railway system that will complement the buses and MRT.
Singapore doesn’t require a visa from citizens of Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, or the ASEAN. But if you wish to live and work in Singapore you have to acquire a Work permit or Employment Pass
The Work Permit
A work permit is given to a foreigner who wishes to work in Singapore with a basic salary of S$1,500 and below per month. Work Permit is valid for two years. To apply for a work permit, a foreigner will need a local sponsor who is the company employing him/her.
The Employment Pass
This is given to a foreigner who wants to work or do business in Singapore with a basic salary of more than more than S$ 2,000. Employment Pass is valid up to five years.
Getting an Employment Pass
*** Employment Pass holders can apply for dependent's pass or social visit pass
**** Application for the Renewal of Employment Pass should be made two months before the expiration of existing Employment Pass.
*****An Employment Pass carry an annual fee of $30 S per year and take about 6 weeks to process.
Employment Trends
Singapore relies on foreign workers for two types of jobs: low-skilled positions and high-tech and R&D jobs for which not many Singaporeans can do. Singapore welcomes highly qualified foreigners for migration. The fields of life science, chemical, finance and IT are industries, which demand a large number of professionals. The media industry, with such satellite and cable giants as MTV, HBO, ABN and Discovery setting up shop here, has tremendous opportunities for voice talents, show hosts and a whole range of media-related jobs.
Singapore's economic blueprint for the next century, titled Industry 21, calls for the creation of 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs each year. Of these, 15,000 will be in manufacturing, 5,000 to 10,000 in exportable services. Industries that have a particularly strong need for workers include electronics, chemicals, biomedical sciences, engineering, and information technology.
Financial Matters
Salaries are very competitive and breaks even with the cost of living in Singapore. Often times, employees receive compensation packages that includes transportation, housing , childcare, education and entertainment.
Public transportations are not a problem with a new light railway system that will complement the buses and MRT.
