Singapore Visa - Types and Its Basics

Singapore Visas

Singapore is a popular employment destination for nationals of both underdeveloped and top-tier countries, not only for the well-educated top earners but also for people looking for a simple though decently paid job. Singapore’s advanced employment legislation, multiethnic society, high quality of life and security urged lots of foreigners to pursue employment in this country even now after the government of Singapore has made qualification for all working visas a more complex undertaking. 

Visa Types

1. Employment Pass (EP) :
   • Designed for Most skilled foreign man power. Suits for professional, manager, executives
   • SG based company only doesn’t have a quota that would limit the number of hires on the EP
   • Issued EP is bound to a specific SG-based company, and the employee cannot swap jobs: he/she would need a new EP for every new employer.
   • Maximum validity of the first visa issuance is 1-2 years. Later, it can be prolonged for 3 years more if the company and the hired foreigner are still eligible.
   • Employee can bring dependent only if salary is 5K SGD per month , 10K for bringing parents.
   • Employer must be a well-established Singapore-based firm with a sufficient paid-up capital
   • Employer must advertise the job on the local market for at least 2 weeks and consider a foreigner only after no fit among the locals is found.
   • Min 3 yrs of work experience is required for employee
   • The government has divided the EP into 3 subclasses
     1. P1 -Employee > 8000 SGD
     2. P2- Employee min salary 4500 SGD
     3. Q1 – Fresh graduate , min salary 3300 SGD

2. Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)
   • Designed for top earners
   • Common features with EP but it is not bound to a particular employer
   • Visa requires higher monthly salary than the classic Employment Pass (at least 18k SGD).
   • The foreigner can initiate applying for this visa before even finding a job in Singapore. The MOM will assess the foreigner based on his personal merits and past working experience.
   • After obtaining the visa, the overseas worker can arrive in Singapore and start job-hunting.
   • Foreigners holding the PEP are free to swap employers to their own discretion. The visa allows them to stay unemployed in SG during 6 months between jobs. If the foreigner fails to find the job during these 6 months, the visa gets cancelled and he must leave Singapore.
   • PEP holder has stronger chances in landing a job in Singapore than EP
   • Visa is issued only for 3 years without an option of renewal. Before it is going to terminate, the foreigner can obtain another employer-attached visa based on his active employment.
   • Foreigners itself can apply for this visa
   • The difficulty of getting the Personalised EP is that the foreigner applies on his own and there is no Singaporean company that could go to bat for him. The foreign talent relies only on his working experience and skills, and therefore, it is crucial to get them represented in the most favourable way. It is better to confide this task to the local visa professional who knows the demand of the Singapore’s job market and the MOM’s expectations.

3. S Pass
   • Designed for people who seek job in chemicals, electronics, marine, engineering, or construction sectors
   • Unlike EP and PEP, there is quota on hiring people.
   • Visa is bound to the specific Singapore-based company that hires a foreigner. Only the company (or the involved visa agency) is allowed to the application procedure.
   • Maximum duration of the S Pass is 24 months but can be extended to 3 years
   • Firm that hires a foreigner on this Pass must pay a monthly levy for this worker
   • Not all holders of this Pass are able to take their family members and relatives to Singapore
   • Min salary 2.2K SGD 

4. Work Permit
   • Only for working pass, not residence
   • Max period 24 months
   • Cannot bring family
   • Unlike EP, PEP, S pass, WP holder cannot claim PR
   • Cannot apply for new job without resigning current job unless you are from Malaysia
   • No salary criterion but generally lesser than S pass holders.
   • Only Asian country folks can apply for this WP visa.
   • Allowed to work only for designated work, not other works
   • Age > 18 and < 50
   • Generally 300-550 SGD as salary
   • Unlike EP and PEP, there is quota on hiring people.

5. Training Employment Pass (TEP)

The Training Employment Pass enables overseas students and trainees to undergo 3-month training as professionals, managers, and executives on the staff of the best Singaporean companies. Crucial criteria for this visa are studying in a recognized institution and having this training as a part of an academic study.Training ought to be a part of the university’s course.

• Ought to be hired by a leading SG-based company at a monthly salary that is no lower than 3,000 SGD.
• Students and trainees cannot invite their families to join them in SG.
• The visa gives foreign students/trainees outstanding career opportunities: polishing their skills in the best firms, exploring local job market and building the foundation of their successful prospective employment in Singapore. TEP is a reliable footboard to getting qualified for the EP(Q1 type) after graduation.

6. Dependent Pass

The Dependant’s Pass is a visa solution that enables official spouses and children of work visa (PEP/EP/S Pass) holders to live and work in Singapore during the visa validity of the family supporter. Except family reunion, the Dependant’s Pass offers its holders plenty of other perks in employment and education. Qualification for this visa is based on the main family supporter’s salary: it mustn’t be less than 5,000 SGD (a limit defined as sufficient for taking care of dependants). Businessmen who arrived in SG on EntrePass can also invite their nears and dears to the country after the first visa renewal.

7. Long term social visit pass

The Long Term (Social) Visit Pass is a special visa that allows informal spouses, parents or step/handicapped children (who do not qualify for the Dependant’s Pass) to join their supporter for the period of hi/her work visa validity. Given for 2 years with an opportunity of renewal, the LTSVP has a certain salary criterion applied to the breadwinner who invites and takes care of the family: the monthly income must be above 5,000 SGD (or 10,000 SGD for parents).

8. Permanent Resident Visa

The Permanent Residence is a premium visa solution that enables holders of employment visas, entrepreneurs and investors to live and work in Singapore indefinitely enjoying flexibility and freedom in pursuing career pinnacles.

9. Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)?

he EntrePass is a business visa that allows an entrepreneur to relocate to SG before moving on to registering their company. After approval, the pass gives the entrepreneur 30 days for incorporating a new firm. EntrePass is a beneficial and smooth business relocation solution.

Reference sites
https://www.one-visa.com/types-of-singapore-visas
http://www.mom.gov.sg/