Singapore jobs for immigrants; Singapore arguably is the Southeast Asian beacon of economic prosperity, and innovation of the modern day time.
It’s multicultural society, location and robust economy placed it a top destination for immigrants looking for job opportunities.
In this guide, you understand the opportunities available in Singapore, pathways to securing jobs and how to navigate possible challenges.
Singapore job market in brief
Primarily, the Singapore government has adopted the policy of encouraging well-qualified foreigners who can contribute to its economy to join the workforce.
EP and S Pass holders can subsequently apply for permanent residence in Singapore, supported by sixth months’ pay slips and three years of tax assessments
There’s another permanent resident scheme designed for foreigners with entrepreneurial ability and substantial financial resources may invest in Singapore under the Global Investor Program administered by the Singapore Economic Development Board.
Organizations looking to hire foreigners, or establish businesses in Singapore must obtain the necessary approval from the relevant authority before such employment commence.
Singapore jobs immigrant visa pathways
Entry into Singapore for job and other purposes require several visas/pass, however, each pass is designed for specific purpose, study carefully from the below to see what applies for your class of immigrants.
Work permit: If you are a semi-skilled worker from approved country or territory, you will need “The Singapore Work Permit,” to gain entry and work in Singapore.
Various conditions apply depending on the country of origin of the worker, however, it’s bound on the employers of work permit holders to purchase medical insurance with a minimum coverage of $15,000 for inpatient care and day surgery.
S Pass: The S Pass visa is designed for skilled workers, criteria include earning a salary comparable to the top one-third of the local associate professionals and technicians workforce by age starting at $3,000 per month.
For financial services, candidates must earn at least $3,500 per month, however, Singapore imposes quotas that restrict the number of foreign workers an employer may hire under the S Pass work permit categories as a way of protecting the local workforce.
Following this, the Singapore government cuts the S Pass quota by 25% to 20% across five sectors of its economy (manufacturing, construction, marine shipyard, process, and services).
The reductions are a reflection the government’s intention to strengthen the protection and support employment of local workers.
This is important for the country’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employment Pass: The EP is granted to professionals, technical personnel, and skilled workers in managerial, executive or specialized jobs, only eligible candidates will be considered for an EP.
Criteria include earning a salary comparable to the top one-third of the local professionals, managers, executive and technicians by age starting at $5,000 a month.
For EP candidates in financial services, candidates must earn a minimum of $5,500 a month. Employers may use a self-Assessment tool to check if the applicant qualifies for an EP.
Employers are required to pay foreign workers levy for EP holders, and the company must ensure that it’s financially strong enough to support the salaries and costs of employing the EP holder and other expenses.
Required documents for an Employment Pass
- An EP application Form 6, duly endorsed by the employing Singapore company
- A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates
- References/testimonials from previous employers
- A passport-size photograph of yourself, taken within the past three months
- A copy of personal particulars page of your passport
- A copy of the business profile of the employing Singapore company
- A detailed description of your job duties
- A detailed description of the activities and/or products of the employing Singapore company.
You may have to provide additional supporting documents as needed.
How to file Employment Pass application, and how long will it take to be processed.
You may file your EP application in any of the below two ways;
- You may register online if the employing the Singapore company has registered for an EP online account. Online applications are usually processed within three weeks from the date of submission.
- You may submit a manual application, which allows for the attachment of all supporting documents which cannot be done online. Manual applications are usually processed within eight weeks from the date of submission.
Kindly be informed that the overall processing time for your application may vary several days or weeks. This is occasioned by several factors, such as credentials of the employing Singapore company, the qualifications of the applicant, and availability of supporting documents.
How do I know if my EP has been approved, and how do I collect it?
When your EP is approved, the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) will send an in-principle-Approved letter to the employing Singapore company’s address.
The IPA letter is valid for 6 months from the date it’s issued.
To collect your Pass, you will need to come to Singapore and present a copy of the IPA letter, your passport, and any other documents that may be requested in the IPA letter.
Upon this, a one-time entry visa will be issued to you to enter Singapore and collect your Employment Pass.
However, your IPA letter may require you to go through a medical test and produce the report when you collect visa. You may do the medical in established clinic or hospital in your home country, or on arrival in Singapore.
Where to get Singapore jobs
Your job search starts by creating a unique resume that stands out in front of potential employers in Singapore.
Having scaled through the resume, you will need to study the visa categories to understand your immigrant visa requirements.
Understanding what is required of you makes your job haunting seamless and easier.
Visit local employers websites in Singapore for possible openings, take a visit to job boards and websites since most employers prefer to put their openings on these platforms.
Job networking websites like Linkedin can be a great place to search, visit forums, attend seminars and ask for referrals from possible participants who have Singapore backgrounds.
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- SEEK
- Linkedin, etc are job websites with great potentials to commence your search.
How do I renew my EP
An EP renewal form will be sent to your employers’ registered address three months before your EP expires.
The renewal application should be completed and submitted to MOM at least four weeks before your EP expires.
Conclusion
To get a job in Singapore, you need a well-planned approach involving understanding the employment landscape, leveraging resources, and continuous skill development can pave way for successful career.
The Lion City’s commitment to innovation, economic stability, and cultural diversity continues to attract talents around the globe.