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Singapore is one of the most business-friendly countries in the world, second only to New Zealand. Its geographic location offers strategic advantages for businesses that are looking to enter the Asia-Pacific market.
For many companies, Singapore is the first step towards a Southeast Asian expansion. Is your company considering moving talent to Singapore to make a foray into the market? Companies can apply for a Singapore employment pass, a work visa that allows international professionals to live and work in the country.
What are the requirements for a Singapore employment pass?
To qualify for a Singapore employment pass, candidates must:
- Have a job offer in Singapore.
- Candidates will need to earn at least $4,500 a month.
- Have acceptable qualifications.
- Work in a managerial or specialized role.
Companies must consider all candidates fairly
Companies are required to advertise job openings on MyCareersFuture for 28 days and consider all candidates fairly. The Fair Considerations Framework (FCF) lays out requirements for all employers in Singapore to guide their candidate evaluation process. Discrimination on the basis of age, race, gender, nationality, or race are strictly prohibited.
Companies that pre-select an international candidate and only go through the motions of advertisement and evaluation of applicants will be in breach of the Tripartite Guidelines and may be barred from hiring in Singapore in the future.
Companies are required to advertise job openings on MyCareersFuture for 28 days and consider all candidates fairly. Click To TweetWhat is the application process?
The employer applies for the Singapore employment pass before the candidate comes to Singapore. They can apply for an employment pass online. It usually takes three weeks for online applications to be processed, potentially up to eight weeks for companies without a Singapore-registered office.
What documents are required?
To apply for a Singapore employment pass, you will need the following documents:
- Personal particular page of the applicant’s passport
- Company’s updated profile or information registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
- Candidate’s educational credentials
The documents required for a Singapore employment pass may vary depending on the employee’s nationality. Additional documents are required for candidates from India and China.
What can you do if your application is rejected?
There is a three month period to appeal a rejected Singapore employment pass application, but companies are encouraged to appeal only if you can directly address the issues for rejection.
Only the employee or the authorized third party who applied may appeal.
There is a three month period to appeal a rejected Singapore employment pass application, but companies are encouraged to appeal only if you can directly address the issues for rejection. Click To TweetAlternative Singapore hiring options
The Singapore employment pass is one of multiple options the country’s business-friendly government offers to companies wishing to bring in international talent to live and work in Singapore. However, hiring Singaporean talent through an Employer of Record (EOR) is also an option to consider, taking the burden of legal, financial, and HR concerns off your shoulders.
What is an Employer of Record?
An EOR helps companies hire international employees without setting up an entity. The EOR already has international entities in place through which you can employ professionals. The EOR serves as the legal employer, taking care of payroll, taxes, benefits, and HR functions.
An EOR takes on all the risk that comes with compliance. It deducts the appropriate amount of taxes, files all the right paperwork, makes all mandatory contributions to employees, and handles everything that has to do with following local laws.
Learn more about how to hire in Singapore by reading our Guide to Hiring in Singapore.
