You have heard many great things about this sunny island and really want to see what this country has to offer before deciding to settle down here. Unless you require an entry visa to visit Singapore, coming here is really quite hassle free.

Nonetheless, this country has one of the toughest immigration laws in the world. Penalties include jail term, caning, fines and needless to say, repatriation. These penalties are meted out not only to the people who do not have valid passes to remain in Singapore. They are also meted out to their employers or people who harbour these illegal immigrants.

This article provides only the general information about the work pass process in Singapore. If you require current and detailed information regarding Singapore's immigration procedures and practices, as well as information pertaining to your specific needs, do contact our immigration consultant at Ong Tay & Partners

FIRST STEP – ENTRY VISA (If applicable)

If you are from any of the countries listed below, you will require a visa to enter Singapore (updated list as at Feb 06):

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Bangladesh (Except for visitors with Diplomatic and Official passports. )
• Commonwealth of Independent States* (Except Diplomatic/Official/Service passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days)
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Moldova
  • Russia
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan
• Egypt
• India (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Morocco
• Myanmar (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
• People's Republic of China (Except Diplomatic/Service/Public Affairs passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days)
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tunisia (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
• Yemen.

When in doubt, confirm with your local Singaporean consular post to confirm if your travel documents will require entry visas. An entry visa application may be submitted to the Singaporean overseas mission that has jurisdiction over your place of legal residence.

SECOND STEP -SOCIAL VISIT PASS (“SVP”)

The Social Visit Pass (“SVP”) is issued to overseas visitors when they first get here. Although they say SVP holders are strictly prohibited from working in Singapore, there are exceptions, as always. These exceptions can be found under the heading Professional Visit Pass (PVP).

With an initial validity period of between two and four weeks, the SVP may be subsequently renewed for up to three months.

This pass is issued at point of entry into Singapore, and is issued entirely at the absolute and sole discretion of the Singapore Authorities. Do make sure you have at least:

• A passport with at least 6 months validity;
• Valid Singapore visa, if applicable;
• Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Singapore;
• Confirmed onward/return tickets (where applicable); and
• Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.

• Business Visitor
• Social Visitor On Short Visit
• Social Visitor Seeking Medical Treatment
• Social Visitor Seeking Employment In Singapore
• Technopreneur/Entrepreneur Scheme*
• Female Social Visitor Whose Child/Grandchild Is Studying in Singapore On A Student's Pass
• Social Visitor Whose Spouse Is A Singapore Citizen (SC) or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)
• Social Visitor Whose Parent Is A Singapore Citizen (SC) or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)
• Social Visitor Whose Child Is A Singapore Citizen (SC) or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)
• Social Visitor Seeking Permission To Deliver A Child In Singapore

Business Visitors

Business Visit Pass

As you already know, business visitors fall under the "Visit Pass" category. Although generally, a Business/Social Visit Pass is given upon arrival, if you are from one of the countries listed under FIRST STEP, an application for a Business Visit Pass must be made when you apply for your entry visa. Both applications must be made in advance of the visit at a Singapore overseas mission in your country of residence. In the case of the latter, you will need a “Letter of Introduction” (“LOI”) from your local contact. This local contact must be a Singapore registered corporation. The letter should state the details of the business visit, the relationship between you and undertake your maintenance and repatriation costs. Other application requirements will depend on your nationality. If you are not able to furnish a LOI from a local contact, you may approach your Embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a LOI to support your visa application.

Most Commonly Requested Documents/Information and Processing Time

The Singapore Authorities will want to be assured that

1. you have a residence and employer outside Singapore.
2. you are here for a specific and limited period and your pre-determined plans and that your intended time here commensurate with the intended purpose of your trip
3. you will not receive compensation from sources within Singapore.

1. Completed and executed visa application forms;
2. Original passport and photocopies of passport (all pages). The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of intended stay in Singapore and have at least one blank page;
3. Copy of confirmed onward airline ticket;
4. Letter of Introduction from local contact (see above explanation)
5. business profile of that company issued by the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore;
6. Proof of legal residence in the country where the application is being submitted and
7. Application fee.

Maximum Period of Stay as a Business Visitor

In general, a business visit pass is issued for an initial period of 14 to 30 days on arrival, but an application can be made to lengthen the initial period to 90 days with Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (the "ICA"). An extension may also be sought from the ICA in Singapore prior to the expiration of the initial visit pass although approval in both instances is at the sole discretion of the ICA.

Professional Visit Pass

If you are here for any other business apart from

• attending interviews
• attending business meetings or discussions
• attending seminars or "fact-finding" mission

Further, if your profession falls under any of the following category, then you will need a Professional Visit Pass (PVP) to undertake short-term professional assignments in Singapore:

1. speaker, organiser, workshop leader/moderator at conferences, seminars, workshops or gathering of a racial, communal, religious, cause-related (e.g. human rights) and political nature;
2. religious worker coming to Singapore to give religious or other religious-related talks;
3. journalist, reporter or an accompanying crew member not supported/sponsored by any Singapore Government agency to cover an event or write a story in Singapore;
4. artiste performing at night-clubs, lounges, pubs and other similar entertainment outlets in Singapore.

1. artistes such as those in cultural troupes and performances.
2. Camera crew, film directors, actors, actresses, foreign models and photographers on location shooting.
3. speakers, organisers, workshop leaders/moderators at conferences, seminars, workshops or gatherings that are not of racial, communal, religious, cause-related or political nature.
4. artists who wish to exhibit their works.
5. cultural missions.
6. sportsmen who are engaged by local sports clubhouses or who are here for sports competition/events.
7. exhibitors in exhibitions or trade fairs.
8. journalists, reporters or accompanying crew members who are supported/sponsored by Singapore Government agencies to cover an event or write a story in Singapore.

Training Visit Pass

If you are undergoing practical training attachment for jobs of professional, managerial, executive or specialist nature in Singapore, then you will need either a Training Visit Pass (basic salary of more then S$2500.00 a month and/or hold acceptable tertiary / professional qualifications) or a Training Work Permit (if you do not qualify for the Pass but satisfy the prevailing criteria set down by the Authorities for the Permit).

For undergraduates, your training attachment must be part of your degree programme from an acceptable educational institution. Companies can also bring employees from their foreign offices / subsidiaries to Singapore for training of a professional or executive nature. Intra-company trainees should hold a degree or diploma.

Short Term Employment Pass

If you do not fall under any of the above categories and you are here on a short-term assignment, then you should err on the side of caution and apply for a Short-Term Employment Pass. To qualify for the pass, your salary must be at least S$2500.00 a month and you must hold an acceptable tertiary / professional qualifications.

I need to stress that the distinction between business and work can sometimes be a very thin line and it really depends on the specific activities to be undertaken. If you are working in Singapore, whatever the duration, an Employment Pass is necessary.

For short-term assignments of less than 1 month, it is possible to apply for a Short-Term Employment Pass. If the Short-Term Employment Pass application is lodged with the Ministry of Manpower upon the applicant's arrival in Singapore, it usually takes about 3 working days to process (instead of the usual 3 to 4 weeks processing time). However, a Short-Term Employment Pass cannot be extended or renewed.

THIRD STEP :EMPLOYMENT AUTHORISATIONS

The Singapore government has an aggressive and attractive policy of enlarging the talent pool here. Applications for the various employment authorisations are granted quite quickly and efficiently to foreign nationals who will contribute to Singapore's economic development either because of a desired skill, or because there is difficulty in recruiting Singapore citizens or permanent residents to perform those services.

From Visitor to Work Status

You may convert your immigration status from a visitor to an Employment Pass holder while remaining in Singapore. You can be present in Singapore while the Employment Pass application is being processed; but you will not be able to work (unless you apply for a Temporary Employment Pass). Once the Employment Pass application is approved, which can be as quickly as within 2 weeks from the time you submit all your papers, you can collect the Employment Pass from the Ministry of Manpower after you have provided the necessary documentation, such as a health declaration form or Medical Report (depending on the Pass type) and your passport and disembarkation card.

Types of Work Visas

The following are the main categories of work visas:

1. Work Permits
2. S Pass
3. Employment Pass

Work Permits

Work Permits are largely for unskilled or semi-skilled foreign workers who wish to work in Singapore in accordance with the Employment of Foreign Workers Act. Work Permits are generally issued according to industrial sectors such as the construction, non-construction and domestic sectors.

Where your salary falls below S$1,800.00, Work Permits will apply to you.

'S' Pass

The Ministry of Manpower implemented a new 'S' Pass, which replaces the Q2 Pass. The objective of the S Pass is to increase the flexibility and responsiveness of the foreign manpower policy to meet industries' needs for middle level skilled manpower.

Applicants for the new S Pass are assessed on a points system, which takes into account multiple criteria, including salary, education qualifications, skills, work experience, job type, etc. An applicant for an S Pass must draw a basic salary of at least S$1,800 per month. A company, which has 5 to 20 Singaporean employees, is eligible to employ at least one S Pass holder. Employers of S Pass holders are required to pay a S$50 monthly foreign worker levy. Employers are also required to arrange for their S Pass holders to start receiving salaries through one of the approved electronic payment services within three months of the issuance of their S Pass.

Employment Passes (P1,P2 & Q1 Passes & Entrepass)

P1 and P2 Passes

If you hold acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills and are seeking professional, administrative, executive or managerial jobs, a P1 Pass may be issued if your basic monthly salary is more than SGD$7,000 and a P2 Pass may be issued if your basic monthly salary is between SGD$3,500 and SGD$7,000.

Q1 Pass

If your basic monthly salary is more than S$2,500 and you possess acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills, a Q1 Pass may be issued.

EntrePass (Employment Pass for Entrepreneurs)

The EntrePass, is an Employment Pass for foreign entrepreneurs who would like to start businesses in Singapore. You must be ready to start a new company / business here and will be actively involved in the operation of the company / business in Singapore.

The proposed business venture must not be engaged in illegal activities. In addition, businesses not of entrepreneurial nature for example, coffee shops / hawker centres / food courts, foot reflexology, massage parlours, karaoke lounges, money changing / remitting, newspaper vending, geomancy and tuition services etc will not be considered for an EntrePass.

You will need to submit a comprehensive Business Plan as well when you make this application.

The General Process and General Processing Times

In order to obtain an Employment Pass or S Pass and Dependant Passes (if applicable) application(s) must be submitted with the Singapore Ministry of Manpower. The application(s) typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to process from the date of submission. Upon approval, the Ministry of Manpower will issue an In Principal Approval Letter (IPA) to the employer.

The applicant's passport must be submitted to the Ministry of Manpower for issuance of the Employment Pass within 6 months from the date of the approval letter and, for S Pass applicants, within 3 months. The passports of his or her dependants, if any, will also need to be endorsed with dependant passes. All must be physically present in Singapore for this purpose.

In the event you are urgently required to work in Singapore, it may be possible to apply for a Temporary Employment Pass. This interim authorization may only be granted provided the Employment Pass application has been filed and the foreign national is in Singapore. It should be noted that the Temporary Employment Pass is granted at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Manpower. There is no such temporary authorization available for S Pass applicants.

Documents Required

The Authority will require the following documents (and more if necessary)

1. Copy of corporate/product brochures of the Singapore employer providing an outline of its business activities and main products;
2. Details of the Singapore employer, including the company's registration number, capital structure, nature of business, sales turnover and breakdown of local and foreign employees.
3. Completed application forms signed by the employee, any family members, and the authorized signatory of the Singapore employer, endorsed with the company's stamp/seal;
4. Copies of the employee's educational credentials;
5. A copy of the identification page of the passport of the employee and each family member;
6. Two recent photographs (passport-size) of the employee and each family member;
7. A detailed resume of the employee;
8. Health declaration (completed after approval of the application) or a medical examination (completed in Singapore) from the employee and each family member;
9. Copy of official Marriage Certificate;
10. Copies of each child's Birth Certificate evidencing both parents' names.
11. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Validity of Employment and/or S Pass:

An Employment Pass can be issued for a period of one month up to a maximum of 5 years (in practice it is not usually granted for more than 2 years at a time).

Residence and Tax Registration Requirements

The Employment, Dependant or Long-Term Social Visit Pass will allow the holder to remain in Singapore for the duration of the pass without any further registration requirements. However, the employer has to complete and provide the employee with a Form IR8A by 1st March each year and the employee is required to lodge that form with his tax return with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore by 15th April each year.

Cancellation of Work and Dependant Passes

Upon termination, resignation or change of employment, the Ministry of Manpower must be notified and the Employment and Dependant Passes cancelled within 7 days from the effective date of termination or resignation. Upon cancellation, a social visit pass of 14 days is usually granted to enable the employee and his family members to tie up their affairs in Singapore prior to leaving the country.

FORTH STEP: BRINGING YOUR FAMILY HERE

Spouse and Children

Certain Employment Pass holders may obtain either a Dependant Pass or a Long-Term Social Visit Pass for their accompanying dependants. Each Employment Pass type determines whether an applicant may sponsor dependants into Singapore and the type of dependants they may sponsor. A P1 and P2 Pass holder will be allowed to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, parents-in-law, step-children (legally adopted) and over-aged daughters (discretionary). A Q1 Pass holder and an S Pass holder earning, equal to, or more than SGD 2,500, will be allowed to sponsor their spouse and children. S Pass holders earning less than SGD 2,500 are not accorded sponsoring privileges.

Accompanying dependants of an eligible Employment Pass holder will be required to submit a Dependant Pass or Long-Term Social Visit Pass application.

Unmarried Partners (Same-Sex)

Same sex partners are not recognized as dependants and should obtain his/her own work pass to work and reside in Singapore.

Ability to Work