Immigration Singapore: Visa, Employment Pass, Work Pass, Dependant Pass, Permanent Residency (PR) Singapore
Entry Visa and Social Visit Passes Visitors from most countries planning their immigration to Singapore to do not require an entry visa in advance for short-term visits. Passports will be stamped on immigration so Singapore with a thirty, sixty or ninety day-visa upon entry. Entry requirements for immigration to Singapore for foreigners are a valid travel document (6 months minimum), a return ticket or entry facilities to the next destination and sufficient funds to stay in Singapore. Singapore has two different assessment levels for nationals who require visa applications and you can find out to which group you belong at Singapore Immigration Visitor Service web site.
If you want to stay beyond the time granted on entry you need to apply for a social visit pass or other visa mentioned below. Note: Immigration to Singapore without a visa is a serious offence!
The following Social Visit Passes for Singapore are available:
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See e-relocation Singapore with advise on Immigration
SingPass (Singapore Personal Access Password)
SingPass is NOT a visa but the name for your Singapore Personal Access password to access government e-services at the 135 services available at the web site eCitizen and various government web sites. SingPass it automatically issued to all employment and dependent pass holders at age 15. You will receive your Singapore ID card with an FIN number and a SingPass with an eight-digit CPF-PAL PIN password to enable you doing online dealings with the Government such as filing a tax return, for theatre bookings or reserving a book in the library. You may change this password online. By end 2004 SingPass will become the common online password authentication method for all government e-services. Remember your SingPass and keep it confidential!
Source: IMC + Travel Doctor
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For foreigners who want to work, study, train or develop a business in Singapore and for their accompanying family members the following visa are available:
Employment Pass (EP)
If you want to work in Singapore for a salary extending S$2,500 per month you need to apply for an Employment Pass. As a precondition, you need an acceptable degree, specialist skills or professional qualifications. If you want to work in Singapore for a salary extending S$2,500 per month you need to apply for an Employment Pass. As a precondition, you need an acceptable degree, specialist skills or professional qualifications.
With your employment pass you will receive a Singapore ID card with an FIN number and a SingPass with an eight-digit CPF-PAL PIN password to enable you doing online dealings with the Government such as filing a tax return or reserving a book in the library. You may change this password online.
| Info: Medical Examination on Immigration | |
People granted in-principle approval for employment passes of 6 months duration or more, long term immigration passes (including dependant' s passes) and permanent residence in Singapore may be required to undergo a medical examination which includes: |
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 Medical history |
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| Physical examination |
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| Chest x-ray (X2) |
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| Blood analysis for HIV serology |
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| Medical report with recommendations |
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For information on what is considered "Basic Salary" see the web site below.
Employment passes are issued for up to two years and are renewable for a period of up to 3 years. The process takes up to two weeks.
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Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
The Peronalised Eemployment Pass (PEP)is not tied to a specific employer and accommodates the needs of those in between jobs or looking for a job after eduction in Singapore. The PEP is granted on the strength of an applicants individual merits. The PEP allows the holder of a cancelled EP to remain in Singapore for up to six months in between jobs to evaluate new employment opportunities.
The PEP has a validity of 5 years and is non-renewable. A PEP holder will retain the dependant privileges of his original EP type and a minimum annual basic salary requirement of $30,000 will apply.
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Short-Term Employment Pass /STEP
Foreigners who want to work on a short-term professional assignment like conferences, workshops etc. or journalists, reporters or artistes working short term based in Singapore need to apply for STEP. The pass is issued once only for one month and is strictly not renewable. Qualifications required are the same as for an Employment Pass with a basic salary above S$ 2,500 a month. Processing time is 3 working days only.
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Professional Visit Pass (PVP)
The following categories of professional foreigners interested to take up a short term assignment need to apply for a Professional Visit Pass:
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Foreign artists performing in Singapore except those in cultural troupes and performances |
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Foreign journalists or accompanying crew covering an event or writing a story in Singapore except camera crews, film directors, actors, actresses, foreign models and photographers on location shooting |
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Foreign religious workers who want to give religious related talks |
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Foreigners who intend to speak at, organize, moderate conferences, workshops, gatherings and seminars on subjects of a racial, communal, religious and political nature |
Fees vary between SGC 50 and SGD 100 plus a security deposit of SGD 3,000 for foreign artists performing in night clubs, lounges and pubs.
Processing Time is about 2 weeks. Call Tel: 6391 6100 if application is not processed after 2 weeks.
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Work Permit
If you unskilled or a semi-skilled worker (definition see below) and expect to earn less than S$ 2,500 a month e.g. on a part time job you need to apply for a work permit unless you are:
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A Permanent Resident |
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Holder of a Professional Visit Pass |
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Holder of a Student Visit Pass |
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Holder of an Employment Pass |
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Holder of a Work Permit |
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Holder of a Dependent Pass |
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S Work Pass
The S Work Pass enables companies to bring in middle level manpower (e.g. technicians). Assessment of applications is on a point system (see web site below) of multiple criteria. Validity will be 2 years followed by up to 3 years on extension. Applications can only be submitted on implementation (scheduled for July, 1st, 2004).
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Dependent Pass
When you are applying for an Employment Pass (P1, P2 and Q1) and also want to relocate your family to Singapore you need to a apply for a Dependant Pass for your spouse and unmarried and/or legally adopted children below 21. As a Dependent Pass Holder you will be supplied with a Singapore ID card with an FIN number and the SingPass.
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As unmarried partnerships are not recognized, partners need to contact the authorities for a solution. Alternatively they may qualify for their own employment pass.
Children above 21 years old can be sponsored by their Permanent Resident parents to stay with them for up to 5 years or apply for a Multi Visit Pass for the duration of the parent's employment pass.
Letter Of Consent (LOC) for Dependent Pass Holder
If a Dependent Pass Holders want s to take up work in Singapore they have to apply for a Letter of Consent. Applications need to be sponsored by an employer who can be the Dependent Pass Holder her/himself in ease of proprietorship of his/her own company.
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Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP)
Employment Pass holders may apply for this pass for their parents, in-laws, step children, common law spouses , handicapped children and unmarried daughters above the age of 21. Applications and renewals take about 2 weeks. The Long-Term Social Visit Pass holder is required to obtain an Employment Pass or a Work Permit in order to work in Singapore
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Foreigners with the exemption of Dependant Pass Holders who wish to study full time in a local institution need to apply for a Student Visit Pass at:
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Training Visit Pass (TVP)
Foreigners who hold an acceptable tertiary qualifications, will receive above S$ 2,500 as a basic salary and want to absolve an internship or practical training need to apply for a Training Visit Pass. Applications for such a pass below or up to a month will be processed within 2 weeks.
If your salary will be below S$ 2,500 and your stay is planned to be longer than a months (up to six months) your employer should contact the administration below.
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As a P and Q Employment Pass Holder, Entrepreneur or Investor you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency of Singapore for a fee of S$ 100. The process may take up to three months. As an advantage you may be able to stay on in Singapore even if your company closes down or your former employer for any other reason no longer sponsors your Employment Pass.
This is particularly important when you are made redundant and have only a few weeks left to return home and need to pay of all your outstanding taxes at once. PR status gives you more time to look for a new job i n the region and with a new job coming up in Singapore you do not need to apply for an employment pass. If you intend to buy property in Singapore as a PR you are able to borrow up to 80% from the bank and use your CPF savings to pay your mortgage.
Another advantage is that you are able to sponsor the application of your parents for a long term social visit pass to stay with you in Singapore.
For more information especially on tax implications see an article of KPMG about the pros and cons of a Permanent Resident Status in Singapore at:
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We strongly recommend to make yourself familiar with your rights as a Permanent Citizen of Singapore. See the Web Sites below and proceed to the chapter Risk Evaluation for further information.
Categories of Permanent Residencies
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Approved-in-Principle (AIP) for Singapore PR |
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Landed Permanent Residence (LPR) |
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Professionals, Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers Scheme (PTS) |
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Foreign Artistic Talent Scheme |
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Deposit Scheme |
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Business Migration Program |
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Q 1 Work Pass |
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Long-Term Social Visit Passes For Technopreneurs (LTSVP) |
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Central Provident Fund (CPF) Contributions
As a Permanent Resident you are required to pay contributions to the Central Provident Fund. To allow you time to adjust to your CPF contributions as a Permanent Resident the Singapore Government grants you graduated rates in year one and two before fully contributing in year three.
As a Permanent Resident you are required to pay contributions to the Central Provident Fund. To allow you time to adjust to your CPF contributions as a Permanent Resident the Singapore Government grants you graduated rates in year one and two before fully contributing in year three.
CPF contribution rates have been recently cut by 3% to 33% which will have no effect on your first year contribution rates. Those below age 55 and working in the private sector will continue to pay the current rates of 4% (employer contribution) and 5% (employee contribution) in the first year of becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident.
For second year Permanent Residents, the private sector employer contribution rate for those aged 55 and below will be lowered by 3 percentage points to 9%. The employee contribution rate will remain unchanged at 15%.
Third year Singapore Permanent Residents will continue to pay the rates applicable for Singapore citizens. See the tables in the web site below.
As a PR you can deduct the amount of your CPF contribution and thereby lower your taxable income or use your CPF savings to make mortgage payments and purchase unit trusts/stocks etc. Check with your tax advisor.
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Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA)
The Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) allows the removal of the kidney,liver, heart and cornea the purpose of transplant of Singaporean and Permanent Residents over 21 and under 60 years old, who die from all causes (formerly restricted to death from accidents only). If you want to object you need to send the "HOTA Opt-Out Form" to the Organ Donor Registry. This form is obtainable from all public hospitals and polyclinics or the website below. You will receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of your form within three weeks.
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National Service Liability
Be aware that you (male only) and your sons (upon reaching 16,5 years) may be liable for National Service which requires to serve 2 or 2,5 years of full-time National Service (NSF), followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (NS) per year till the age of 50 years (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks). More information see the web site below.
Note: Even Male ex-Singapore Citizens and ex-Singapore Permanent Residents who are granted SPR status are liable to be called up for NS regardless of the type of SPR status they are granted.
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