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Jump right in:

• FAQ's
• How to apply for a job in Singapore?
• Minimum wage and average salary
• Self-employment
• Business culture
• Social security and benefits
• Maternity and paternity leave

If you want to make the leap to the Lion City but are not sure where to start, our guide explores??how to find a job in Singapore??and registering for social security as a foreigner.

What are typical working hours in Singapore?

By law, employees in Singapore can¡¯t work more than 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week, unless overtime is paid. Overtime is compensated at 1.5 times the basic hourly rate or more.

When asked about the average length of their work week, respondents in the Expat Insider 2025 survey reported 46.1 hours in full-time jobs ¡ª compared to 42.5 hours among all survey participants worldwide.
It therefore seems little surprising that less than half (46%) were satisfied with their work¨Clife balance in the city state.

The exact work hours vary by industry: corporate jobs follow the standard schedule from 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday (plus potential half-days on Saturday), while retail, hospitality, and construction may involve shifts or early starts.
Employees also get 11 public holidays and at least 7 days of annual leave, increasing with years of service.

Can I move to Singapore without a job?

Expats looking to work in Singapore will need a work visa (or rather, a work pass) before they can start any job. It¡¯s easiest if you have a job (offer) before moving to the country.
There are also visa options if you¡¯re keen to start your own business or a skilled worker in a specific industry. Need more details? Get an overview and learn about the requirements in our Visas and Work Permits section.

Singapore's economic landscape and opportunities

As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Singapore has low rates of taxes and unemployment. So if you¡¯re on the hunt for a high-paying job, working in the Lion City would be a smart choice.

Especially careers in the technology sector are set to grow rapidly in the coming years due to advancements in automation, AI, and digitalization. Fintech, retail and digital services are growing fast, while manufacturing, supply chain and logistics remain one of the country¡¯s most resilient sectors. Not only thanks to this manufacturing, logistics, too, continues to offer opportunities in this city state famous for its port and trade links.

Can I even get a job in Singapore as a foreigner?

First of all, it¡¯s important to know that Singapore has tightened its hiring guidelines for foreign workers over the past few years to ensure that locals are considered more fairly for roles.
Positions with a fixed monthly salary below 15,000 SGD (10,800 USD) must be listed on a national jobs portal for two weeks before opening up to foreigners.

However, there is still a huge demand for foreign workers in the country, particularly in senior business roles.

Singapore¡¯s job market is pretty competitive, and you¡¯ll usually need a job offer in order to gain a valid work permit, so make sure to do your homework before applying with Singaporean employers .

Step one: Network and search

Creating a network of contacts and setting up alerts for the roles you desire is important. In doing so, you¡¯ll also get an idea about the prospects for your job in the country and the potential for a career there.

You can search for jobs on:

• (formerly JobsDB)
• Networking is also important as you can get referrals for the company you want to work at. This might even help you skip to the top of the applicant list. Read our networking tips below or if you¡¯re already in the city on a visit, consider joining an InterNations event in Singapore.

Step two: Create a Singapore-style CV

First impressions are important in Singapore, especially as job applications for larger companies will be automatically filtered by resume scanners. Taking the time to update your CV or resume into a format popular in Singapore is vital.

All Singaporean CVs should be tailored to the role and company, including key words and phrases from the job advert. It is best to keep them to one page in length.

More tips:

• list your telephone number, email address, date of birth, nationality, gender, and - language skills at the top of the page
• write in concise, clean sentences
• include a relevant ¡°Hobbies and Interests¡± section
• add two to three relevant references
• include a career objective as well as links to your portfolio (if applicable) and LinkedIn profile

As Singapore is a country on the forefront of technology, it¡¯s best to not list basic IT skills or computer experience from over five years ago. Rather, try to

highlight evidence of cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt that can set you apart from the crowd in a country as diverse as Singapore.

Step three: Write a tailored cover letter

Submitting a CV alone is not enough to get an interview in Singapore. With every application you should include a tailored cover letter that ties your work experience with the key skills listed in the job advert.

You should also write about why you are applying for the role. Focus on the company and the job itself, rather than talking broadly about the appeal of Singapore.

Interview tips

Be sure to research the company and the role for which you are applying. Tailor your answers to the job description and prove your enthusiasm.

More key considerations

• First impressions are important. Choose your outfit carefully and aim look smart and professional.
• Think long-term. Make sure the interviewer knows you are interested in staying in Singapore, and that you want to integrate into the culture.
• Consider your answers carefully. It will come across better if you take a few seconds to think rather than rushing to answer.

Networking tips

Networking is vital in Singapore. Not only is this skill a huge part of the nation¡¯s working culture, it helps you become aware of job opportunities as they open. This can give you the edge when applying for your ideal role.

• Say yes to opportunities: Singaporeans in business are generally happy to go for coffee or dinner with a contact they have just met.
• Join professional platforms: Having an online presence in tech-focused Singapore will help you become aware of new opportunities.
• Attend networking events: Professional events are likely to be advertised on websites such as Eventbrite, but also through expat channels such as 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍøor the Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
• Follow up on connections: Continuing your relationship after an initial meeting will bring further opportunities and establish strong connections across the city.

There is no one national minimum wage in Singapore; salaries are largely set according to supply and demand. However, the Ministry of Manpower regularly sets minimum pay standards for specific industries, including food services and retail.

To be eligible for a work pass for Singapore, your salary will likely surpass these minimum standards in any case.

What is a good salary in Singapore?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on your chosen profession and lifestyle. The monthly cost of living in Singapore for a single person is around 1500 SGD (1050 USD) without rent. This rises to around 5,500 SGD (3,800 USD) without rent for a family of four.

Most highly skilled expats with active lifestyles and a social life will need more than this base level to be able to spend as well as save.

Workers who wish to bring a dependent spouse and children to Singapore must also earn a minimum of 6,000 SGD (4,330 USD) per month.

Average annual salary

In 2025, the , Singapore¡¯s government body for workers, found the average gross monthly salary was 5,775 SGD (4,500 USD), including employer Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. The amount is adjusted every year which you can check on the (Learn more about the CPF in the social security and benefits section below).

This equates to an average annual salary of around 69,300 SGD (54,100 USD), though actual salaries of course vary widely depending on your skillset and industry.

Average annual salaries on a selection of jobs:

Salaries for highly skilled expats in Singapore are significantly higher than the official average figure suggests. In our 2025 Expat Insider survey, more than half the respondents in Singapore (51%) reported an annual gross income of 100,000 USD or more (compared to 21% of expats worldwide).

Companies in Singapore are starting to invest in talent for two seemingly opposing business areas: cybersecurity and marketing. This is common across the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, as well as fintech and healthcare firms. The number of start-ups in the nation is also growing rapidly.

As such, Indeed has found that the following jobs have great demand in 2026.

In Singapore, the easy-to-get jobs are in sectors with high demand and low entry requirements, such as:

• retail
• food and beverage
• logistics
• cleaning
• basic hospitality work

These sectors are open to locals and foreigners with the right work passes.

Aside from hospitality jobs (which are less useful when trying to get a visa), you should check out digital marketing, sales, and engineering roles as these fields are in high demand and more likely to support work visa applications.

Self-employment in Singapore?is becoming more popular.? Around ?13% of the ?resident ?workforce ?is considered self-employed, operating a business without any employees or conducting services such as driving a taxi under a licensed operator.

As an expat, being your own boss can be incredibly freeing. But if your work permit is dependent on finding employment, how do you navigate moving to Singapore to start your own business?

How to be self-employed in Singapore

If you perform work for others under a contract of service, you are considered self-employed in Singapore.

This broad definition covers? a number of ?ways to conduct business. For instance, you can be a sole-proprietor or operate in a business partnership to be considered self-employed. You can also be an employee and self-employed at the same time if you work multiple jobs.

Information for freelancers

You must be a permanent resident to? legally ?freelance in Singapore. This is because you need an employment pass, S pass, or work permit in order to earn money in the nation.

None of the current work permits are suitable for applying to move to Singapore as a freelancer. What¡¯s more, it is unlikely that most expats will fit the requirements to be able to work legally as a freelancer under the ?EntrePass? route.??For more information, see our Visas and Work Permits section.

Permanent residents can? become freelancers relatively easily, however. To operate as a freelancer, you should:

• check if you need a business license to operate;
• decide if you want to set up a company (not necessary, but provides security over invoicing and so on);
• network to create contacts and establish yourself.

In general, you do not need to register your services with the government to be able to work.

Work based outside of Singapore

If your freelancing work takes place entirely in other countries, and these companies have no activity in Singapore, you may not need a work pass. You will still need to file a personal income tax report, but any money earned outside of Singapore is not taxed by the Singapore government.

This might be useful for people who arrive in the nation on a? Dependent Pass, who ?cannot work without permission from the Ministry of Manpower.

Information for owners of a business

If you dream of owning your own business, Singapore is a great place to set up shop. The country has strict enforcement of intellectual property laws, as well as a reputation as an easy place to begin a business.

To set up a business in Singapore, you should first register your business at ?? and with the ?? (ACRA).

You should then set up your company within the ACRA regulations. After registering an ACRA approved company name, your company must have:

• a minimum of one shareholder;
• a minimum of one director, who must be a Singapore resident living in Singapore;
• a company secretary, who must be a Singapore resident;
• paid-up capital of at least 1 SGD (0.72 USD);
• a registered address for physical office space.

After incorporation

You will have to follow certain regulations depending on your business. This can include obtaining licenses, registering your office hours, registering for Singapore customs goods and services tax, and registering with the Central Provident Fund.

You must also open a Singapore bank account. See our Banking and Taxes section for detailed information on how to do this.

Information about home-based small-scale businesses

The government provides a special scheme for? permanent ?residents who live in houses provided by the Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB).?It is aimed at small-scale businesses such as bakeries or beauty services.

This scheme lets people use their home address as their business address when they register under ACRA, without seeking approval to create a business from the HDB. It was created to help workers supplement their income.

Because it costs only 20 SGD (14 USD) to register for five years, this opportunity will appeal to residents without extensive financial backing who are? looking to start a home-based business. However, foreign workers on employment passes ?are ?not ?eligible ?for the scheme.

Top self-employed jobs in Singapore

Some of the most popular self-employment roles in Singapore include:

• private tutor;
• independent consultant;
• virtual assistant;
• accountant;
• operator of??a home-based small-scale business.
• graphic designer
• writer
• web developer

Other self-employed work in Singapore

• commission agent, such as an insurance or real estate agent;
• freelancer, such as a deejay, fitness instructor, or consultant;
• owner of a business that buys and sells goods and/or services;
• owner of an online business;
• owner of your own practice, e.g. you are an accountant, architect, doctor, lawyer, etc.

Freelancing in Singapore can be lucrative, but to succeed, you are likely to need good contacts alongside extensive experience and credentials.

Some jobs, particularly tutoring, require subject-specific qualifications. This can range from a bachelor¡¯s degree in your chosen subject to a TEFL.

You can check if your role qualifies as self-employed at the??.

If there is one thing to remember about??Singapore business culture, it is to always be polite. Singapore is an incredibly diverse nation with many people from different cultural backgrounds. ?Learning who you will be working with,??and ?their cultural norms and taboos,? will help you forge good working relationships.

Workplace culture

The Chinese concepts of _guan xi (_¹Øϵ)?or networking, and??mi¨¤n? zi? (Ãæ×Ó)?or ¡°saving face,¡± are very common in Singaporean businesses.

• Guan xi is related to building positive working relationships to benefit your business. This is often demonstrated through slow-paced negotiations after a series of business dinners.?
• Mi¨¤n ?zi? means to maintain your social standing by showing dignity, honor, and respect. This begins by shaking hands with a slight bow when you first meet a new person. Women will extend their hand first if they wish to shake hands with a man.

Say ¡°No¡± politely

These concepts? also means that people are not always direct with saying ¡°no.¡± Misunderstandings can occur when foreigners do not realize that Singaporean¡¯s are being polite, only agreeing with you so that they do not cause you to lose face when they say ¡°no¡± directly. Reading body language and understanding the implications of what is being said is important to find the true meaning of conversations.

It is also polite to avoid pointing directly towards anyone, as pointing to others with either your hands or feet is considered offensive.

**?Further tips for Singapore¡¯s working culture**

• Avoid pointing directly towards anyone. Pointing to others with either your hands or feet is considered offensive.
• Hierarchy is important. You should not directly criticize your superiors or elders, nor should you get aggressive in meetings.
• Punctuality is key. Be sure to turn up to meetings on time and deliver projects at their intended deadlines.
• Do not give gifts, particularly to government officials. This might be seen as a bribe.
• Leave time for thought. Singaporeans consider it important to think carefully about a question before answering. This can lead to long pauses in conversation.

Social security in Singapore is restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the country. Only they have to pay into Central Provident Fund (CPF), which covers social welfare, healthcare, and retirement funds.

What is a social security number in Singapore?

Every citizen and permanent resident of Singapore must register for a National Registration Identity Card (NRIC).??This card will contain a unique NRIC number with nine alphanumeric characters. These numbers will act as your? permanent? personal identity number.

This card will also display your:

• date of birth
• residential address
• photo
• thumbprint

Can a foreigner get a social security number in Singapore?

Yes, but only if you are a permanent resident of Singapore.

How to get a social security number in Singapore

Applying for a social security number in Singapore?is easy. You will apply for it at the same time when you apply to be a?permanent resident.

Once your permanent residency is approved, you? and your family ?will receive ?your NRICs. Some documents you need as part of the process ?include:

• your birth certificate;
• a passport-sized color photograph taken within the last three months;
• a baptism or religious certificate if you want to include a religious name;
• a deed poll certificate for a change of name (if applicable);
• digital image(s) of the page(s) of your current passport, which contains your personal details.

Singapore social security? benefits

Every month, working citizens and permanent residents make mandatory payments into Singapore¡¯s social security system as part of their wages. This is known as the Central Provident Fund (CPF). These payments cover social welfare, healthcare, and retirement funds.

As a foreigner, you only pay into this system once you become a Singapore Permanent Resident. If you¡¯re in Singapore on an S Pass, Employment Pass, Miscellaneous Work Pass, or other work permit, you need to organize your retirement funds and healthcare cover independently.

As an employee, it is mandatory that both you and your employer contribute to the CPF each month. Only your contribution will come out of your wages, with employer contributions being paid in addition to your salary. If more than one employer employs you, even if one job is on a part time basis, each employer must pay CPF contributions on your wages.

Up until 55 years of age, you pay 20% of your monthly wage into the CPF, with a wage cap of 8,000 SGD (6,200 USD) per month. Over 55 years, your share gets gradually smaller down to 5% for those aged 71 and up.

Self-employed people need to contribute to MediSave.

CPF accounts

As you pay into the CPF, your contributions are distributed across different accounts:

• Ordinary Account (OA): for housing, insurance, investment, education
• Special Account (SA): for old age and investment in retirement-related finance products
• MediSave Account (MA): for hospitalization related expenses and basic government approved medical insurance
• Retirement Account (RA): created automatically by merging your SA and OA on your 55th birthday

Monetary benefits

As a permanent resident, Singapore¡¯s social security system can pay serious dividends.

Take the retirement fund, for example. People who turned 55 in 2025 can access 106,500 SGD (83,000 USD) as their basic retirement fund. They can receive this in monthly payouts from the age of 65, for the rest of their life. Before the age of 55, you can withdraw up to 5,000 SGD (3,600 USD) from your pension.

You can also use your OA funds to buy a house under the Public Housing or Residential Properties schemes. Similarly, you can use this fund to insure your home.

Paying into Medisave gives you access to funds for hospitalization for yourself and family members. You can also fund some outpatient treatments, like chemotherapy. For more information on the CPF and medical insurance please see our Healthcare section.

Expat? working mothers ?are entitled to Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) in Singapore once they meet certain criteria. Eligibility conditions include:

• giving birth to a Singapore citizen, even if your husband is not a Singapore citizen;
• working for an employer or being self-employed for at least three continuous months before the birth of the child.

How long is maternity leave in Singapore?

Working mothers can receive up to 16 weeks of GPML.

If only one of the two criteria mentioned above is mete, you may still be entitled to 12 weeks GPML under the Employment Act.

You can check your eligibility for maternity leave in Singapore on the .

New mothers not eligible for GPML may instead be covered by the Government Paid Maternity Benefits (GPMB), which grant up to 8 (first two children) or 16 weeks (3+ children).

In both cases, reimbursement payments are capped at 10,000 SGD (7,900 USD) per 44 weeks.

Job protection for new mothers

Pregnant women who have worked for their employer for at least three months are entitled to maternity protection in Singapore. This means that if you lose your job because your employer no longer needs you (becoming retrenched) or if you¡¯re fired without cause while pregnant, you must be paid your maternity benefits.

You must have been certified pregnant by a medical practitioner before being wrongfully dismissed to be able to file a case against your employer.

Employers also cannot ask an employee to work at all in their first four weeks of maternity leave. After this, agreements for working during maternity leave can be reached.

Paternity leave and benefits in Singapore

Expat working fathers, including people who are self-employed, are entitled to four weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) if their child is a Singapore citizen and the mother and father are lawfully married. Otherwise, you¡¯re not entitled to paternity leave. Reimbursement payments are capped at 2,500 SGD (1,800 USD) a week including CPF contributions.

Check if you meet the criteria for paternity leave at the .