51�ԹϺ�����

Jump right in:

• When do you need a visa for Singapore?
• Work permits and employment-based visas
• How to obtain Singapore work visa?
• Visa for starting a business in Singapore: EntrePass
• Residency permits: Temporary vs permanent
• How to obtain Singapore citizenship

You need a visa for Singapore if you are from a country not granted visa-free entry.

If you are from countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most EU member states, you can enter Singapore without a visa and stay there up to 90 days for tourism, business, or social visits. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay. You must submit the within three days before you enter Singapore.

A visa is also needed if you plan to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days.

Visa for Specialists or High-Level Professionals

If you are a subject-matter expert or a high-earning professional, the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) could be a strong option. Unlike other work passes, the PEP is not tied to any employer, giving you the flexibility to explore job opportunities in Singapore without affecting the validity of your pass.

With a PEP, you can remain in Singapore for up to six months between jobs while searching for new employment. However, the pass is valid for three years only and cannot be renewed.

To qualify, you must either:

• Be a current Employment Pass (EP) holder, or
• Be an overseas professional who has not been unemployed for more than six months at the time of application.

Additionally, you must earn a fixed annual salary of at least 270,000 SGD (210,000 USD), with a monthly income of at least 22,500 SGD (18,000 USD).

Visa for dependants of a Work Pass Holder

Holders of an employment or S pass may also bring the following dependents to Singapore on a Dependent’s Pass (DP) — provided they earn a minimum of 6,000 SGD (4,330 USD) per month:

• legally married spouse
• unmarried children under 21

The following family members, on the other hand, are eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass:

• parents (minimum monthly earnings: 12,000 SGD (9,400 USD)
• common-law spouse
• unmarried handicapped children over the age of 21
• unmarried step-children under the age of 21
  Eligible pass holders may be able to work but first need to get a valid work authorisation to take up employment. If you plan to start a business or work for one, you must apply for a letter of consent to work legally in Singapore. The good news is that the application is free of charge.

If you're in Singapore under a long-term visit pass, your employer will need to apply for a separate work visa for you.

DP holders can typically stay in Singapore for up to two years, depending on the validity of the main pass holders work visa. The duration of a Long-Term Visit Pass is tied to the duration of the connected work pass.

Foreigners relocating to Singapore need an employment visa (or work permit) rather than a business visa to legally take up employment in the Lion City. Luckily, there are a wide range of work visas and permits to explore. These passes are typically only valid for two years and holding one does not make you a permanent resident.

Can I get a work permit for Singapore without a job offer?

The only way to get a work permit is through employment. Your employer must apply for your work visa on your behalf. Based on your qualifications and experience, you will be issued either an employment pass (EP) or an s pass.

Singapore work visa requirements

In general, to be eligible for a Singapore work visa, you must:

• hold a valid passport;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• be qualified for the role (with supporting documents from accredited institutions);
• only work within the scope of the role.

Common visa options for expats looking to work in Singapore are:

• Employment Pass (EP): For foreign professionals, managers, and executives who will earn at least 5,600 SGD (4,320 USD) per month (6,200 SGD if working in financial services) and pass the points-based COMPASS framework. Valid for up to two years. Progressively higher salary requirements for anyone over 22 (up to 10,700 SGD for age 45+).
• S Pass: For mid-level skilled staff who will earn least 3,300 SGD (2,540 USD) per month (3,800 SGD in financial services) and meet the assessment criteria. Valid for up to two years. Salary requirements increase age (up to 4,800 SGD for age 45+).

Specific work permits are also available for employees in the entertainment, construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sectors.

Is it possible to work as a freelancer in Singapore?

Singapore does not have a freelance visa. This means that if you're not a citizen or permanent resident, you cannot legally freelance without holding a specific work pass.

The EntrePass is the closest way for self-employment but only applies to entrepreneurs who plan to build innovative businesses (not typical freelance arrangements).

Freelance work may also be possible under the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE), but the eligibility criteria are steep. Meant as a work pass for top talent, it requires you to have earned a fixed monthly salary of at least 30,000 SGD (23,275 USD) for the full past year leading up to your application.

So what are the options?

• Permanent Residents can register as self-employed and freelance freely.
• Dependent Pass holders may work as freelancers only after receiving a Letter of Consent or by setting up a business and applying for an EntrePass.
• Foreigners on visit or long-term passes are not allowed to freelance in Singapore.

Singapore Work Visa Costs

Step One: Application form

Companies need to apply for employment passes on the employee’s behalf. You should be aware that your employer might engage an employment agent to help with the process.

The processes for getting an employment pass or S pass are similar.

Before an application is submitted for an employment or S pass, you’ill need to gather the following documents:

• Written consent for your company or agent to apply on your behalf
• Copy of the personal information page of your passport (with an explanation letter and supporting documents e.g. from deed poll, if the name on your passport is different from other documents)
• Your educational certificates, verified by a MOM-recognized third party agency, such as Dataflow or Veremark (required even if your institution is listed in the application)

Your company will be expected to supply its latest business profile or instant information as registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Once the application has been submitted, the processing time is usually three weeks for online applications and eight weeks for manual applications.

Step Two: Receiving an In Principal Approval (IPA) letter

If the application is successful, your employer will receive an In Principal Approval (IPA) letter. This IPA functions as a single-entry visa to

You’ll geta copy of this and have 60 days (S Pass) to six months (EP) to travel to Singapore to get your pass.

Once you’re in Singapore, there are a few more things you need to provide to get your pass issued:

• Your SG Arrival Card (electronic travel declaration submitted before coming) or any details of your immigration status if already in Singapore
• A completed medical examination or health declaration form (if required)
• A residential address in Singapore that meets housing requirements

Step Three: Notification letter

Once your employer has completed the necessary issuance steps and your pass has been granted, you’ll receive a notification letter. This is valid for one month, although validity can be extended. Having this letter means you can start work, as well as travel in and out of Singapore while you wait for your final pass card.

The notification letter also lets employees know if they have to register their photo and fingerprints within one weeks of receiving the Notification Letter. This is done at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). If you need to register, you should bring the following documents to your appointment:

• Original passport
• Appointment letter
• Notification letter
• Their mobile phone with a Singaporean number and the Singpass and SGWorkPass apps installed
• Any documents listed in the IPA letter and notification letter

Your pass card should arrive within five working days of all the documents being submitted or you registering (if required).

If you’re looking to start a new business in Singapore, you might qualify for an EntrePass. Created to attract innovation, workers with this pass do not need to find secure employment before applying, nor do they need to earn a minimum salary.

EntrePass Requirements

This pass has stringent criteria. Applicants must be either an entrepreneur, innovator, or investor. You can , but we have also listed some criteria below.

• Entrepreneurs need to have raised over 100,000 SGD (72,000 USD) from a venture capitalist recognized by a Singapore Government Agency and/or have a proven track record of achievements and expertise in their business area.
• Innovators must hold registered intellectual property and/or be collaborating with a research institute in Singapore. You can also have extraordinary expertise relating to your business.
• Investors must have a proven investment track record.

There is no fixed minimum paid up capital requirement. Instead, applicants must submit a 10-page business plan showcasing innovation and scalability.

Businesses with no innovation or growth potential are not considered eligible.

EntrePass and dependents

You may not bring dependents on this pass until your business spends at least 100,000 SGD (72,000 USD) a year and has a minimum of three employees.

EntrePass application process

You must apply personally for an EntrePass on the . You also need to pay a 105 SGD (75 USD) fee to apply.

As part of the application, you’ll need to upload the following:

• Scan of your passport
• Business plan
• Overview of previous business ventures
• CV and past employment testimonials (if applicable)
• Latest financial statement of company (if already registered & running for at least a year)
• Any further supporting documents
• It will take about six weeks to process your application.

Once approved, you’ll receive an In Principal Approval (IPA) letter that gives you six months to travel to Singapore. You must be in Singapore to be issued the pass, which can be done or over-the-counter at the Employment Pass Services Centre.

At this point, you need to pay an additional 225 SGD (160 USD) fee to get the pass issued. You also need to provide the following:

• Passport details
• Details of your current immigration pass and SG Arrival Card
• a completed medical examination form (if required) and details of medical insurance
• a residential address in Singapore that meets housing requirements

Once the pass is approved and you’ve received a notification letter, the next steps are very similar to those described above under Step Three for an employment-based visa.

Singapore does not issue “residence permits”. A work pass, dependant pass, or long-term visit pass will prove your temporary residence status while valid.

If you plan to live in Singapore for longer, you can apply to become a permanent resident (PR). PR status offers you:

• access to Singapore’s savings and pension scheme
• access to public healthcare and education
• the opportunity to buy public housing (HDB)
• job mobility and long-term family visas

And of course, it means you can leave, re-enter, and live in Singapore without having to apply for a new work pass.

However, there are limits to who will be granted PR status. Typically, this depends on your work, contributions, and family situation as well as how long you’ve been living in the country.

How to get permanent residency in Singapore

If you wish to make Singapore your permanent home, and potentially become a citizen later on, your first step is to become a Singapore Permanent Resident.

There are certain criteria to meet. For instance, you must be one of the following:

• holder of an employment pass or S pass for at least six months
• spouse or elderly parent of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
• unmarried child below the age of 21 and born within a legal marriage between, or have been legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
• foreign investor

Keep in mind that getting permanent residency is not quick. You should expect to wait at least six months to a year for everything to process. We go through the steps on how to upgrade your Singaporean work pass to permanent residency below. All applications are handled by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority , and should be completed online.

Singapore permanent resident application

The application requires one recent, passport-sized digital color photograph (400x514 pixels). This must be:

• against a plain white background
• full face, without headgear (excluding habitually worn headgear for religious or racial customs, in which case it cannot hide your facial features)
• JPEG image format

Personal documents needed

• valid travel documentation and passport pages showing personal particulars and official descriptions
• your employment or S pass (if applicable)
• identity card (if applicable)
• your birth certificate or an official census showing both of your parents’ names
• highest educational certificates, transcripts, professional license/membership certificates, and vocational trade certificates

Work related documents

• testimonials from previous employer(s) stating the nature and duration of employment and the last drawn basic salary (if any)
• pay slips for the last six months
• current employer’s letter stating the date of employment, position held, salary per month for the past six months with breakdown into basic, overtime and allowance per month, dated no more than 3 month from the date of submission

For self-employed:

• latest Business Registration Certificate from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
• balance sheets for last 3 years
• profit and loss statements for last 3 years

Additional documents will be required for any dependents or in case you’re applying for permanent residence for a spouse.

Permanent resident fees in Singapore

To obtain Singapore citizenship you first have to meet one of the following requirements:

• You have been a Singapore permanent resident (PR) for at least two years and are 21 or above. (You can apply together with your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 who were either born to you within a legal marriage or adopted by you.)
• You have been a permanent resident for at least two years and been married to a Singapore citizen for at least two years.
• You are an unmarried child younger than 21 born under legal marriage, or have been legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen.
• You are a permanent resident (PR) studying in Singapore, have been living in Singapore for more than 3 years (at least one year as a PR), and have passed at least one national exam or are in the integrated programme (IP).
• You are a permanent resident and an aged parent of a Singapore citizen.

If you find yourself eligible, you can apply online via ICA’s :

• Prepare the documents (NRIC, PR certificate, income records, etc.)
• Pay the non-refundable fee of 100-180 SGD (77-140 USD)
• Attend an interview if required
• Wait for 6–12 months for outcome