When it comes to Singapore, there is nothing called Singapore Work Visa. The authorities in lieu of the work visa issue something called work permit or work pass which enable foreigners to take up temporary or permanent work in the country. The work permit or pass can be applied for by any qualified and skilled Indian, who wants to work in Singapore through an appointed employment agent (EA) or employer.
As per the rules of the work permit, the employers who engage foreign workers in Singapore need to provide them with a salary for their service, maintain a security bond as well as provide them with health insurance.
Apart from the above mentioned points, foreign workers working in Singapore must also comply with:
The Ministry of Manpower, Singapore provides different types of work passes and permits all foreigners who wish to work in the country. It is necessary for all foreigners to avail a valid work visa before they start working in Singapore. The different types of work visa which are issued by the officials present at the Singapore Ministry of Manpower depending on the type of work are discussed below:
List of passes for pass category
| Pass type | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass | For foreign professionals, managers and executives. Candidates need to earn at least $3,600 a month and have acceptable qualifications. |
| EntrePass | For eligible foreign entrepreneurs wanting to start and operate a new business in Singapore. |
| Personalised Employment Pass | For high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals. The PEP offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass. |
List of passes for pass category
| Pass type | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| S Pass | For mid-level skilled staff. Candidates need to earn at least $2,300 a month and meet the assessment criteria. |
| Work Permit for foreign worker | For semi-skilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector. |
| Work Permit for foreign domestic worker | For foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to work in Singapore. |
| Work Permit for confinement nanny | For Malaysian confinement nannies to work in Singapore for up to 16 weeks starting from the birth of the employer's child. |
| Work Permit for performing artiste | For foreign performers working in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs. |
List of passes for pass category
| Pass type | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Training Employment Pass | For foreign professionals undergoing practical training. Candidates must earn at least $3,000 a month. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) | For students and graduates aged 18 to 25 who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 6 months. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work and Holiday Visa Programme) | For Australian students and graduates aged 18 to 30 who want to work and holiday in Singapore for 1 year. |
| Training Work Permit | For semi-skilled foreign trainees or students undergoing practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months. |
List of passes for pass category
| Pass type | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Dependant's Pass | For spouses and children of eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders. |
| Long Term Visit Pass | For parents, common-law spouses, step-children or handicapped children of eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders. |
| Pre-approved Letter of Consent | For eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens or PRs holding an LTVP/LTVP+ issued by ICA. The holder is pre-approved to work in Singapore. They can only apply for a PLOC when applying for, or renewing the LTVP/LTVP+. |
| Letter of Consent | For eligible spouses or children of EP holders who hold a Dependant’s Pass, or an LTVP/LTVP+ issued by ICA. The LOC allows the holder to work in Singapore. The employer must apply sfor the LOC. |
List of passes for pass category
| Pass type | Who is it for |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | For foreigners taking on a short-term work assignment of up to 60 days in Singapore. |
| Work Pass Exempt Activities | For performing eligible short-term activities without a work pass. Candidates must still notify MOM of their activities. |
| Work pass exemption for foreign students | For foreign students studying full-time at an approved school or institution in Singapore. |
| Work passes for holders of Long Term Visit Passes issued by ICA | For foreigners married to a Singaporean or permanent resident, or parents accompanying a child who is studying in Singapore. |
The fees payable for availing a Singapore Work Visa or Work Pass is as of now 60 US dollars. While 30 US dollars need to be paid while submitting the application, the remaining 30 US dollars is required to be paid when the work pass or permit is issued to the individual by the authorities.
Mentioned below are the administrative fees that individuals need to pay for availing different types of work permits and passes. In the below mentioned table, the current fees and the revised rates are mentioned.
Note: It needs to be mentioned that from April 1, 2019, the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore will renew the application and issuance/renewal fees for various types of work passes and permits.
| Type of Pass | Current Fees | Revised Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Personalised Employment Pass |
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| S Pass |
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| Employment Pass |
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| Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker) |
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| Work Permit (Foreign Worker) |
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| Entre Pass |
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| Training Employment Pass |
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| Work Holiday Pass (Under Work and Holiday Visa Programme) |
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| Work Permit (Performing Artiste) |
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| Work Holiday Pass (Under Work Holiday Programme) |
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| Miscellaneous Work Pass |
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| Long Term Visit Pass |
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| Dependent’s Pass |
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In case, you wish to avail a Singapore work visa or work permit, the steps mentioned below need to be followed:
Note: It needs to be mentioned that from April 1, 2019, the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore will renew the application and issuance/renewal fees for various types of work passes and permits.
To submit an application, the applicant is required to follow the steps mentioned below:
To find out what documentation is required for different work visa types, you should check with Singapore Government, Ministry of Power website.
Processing time of work visas for professionals is faster when the applications are submitted online - 80% of all online applications are processed within seven working days. Processing of manual applications may take up to 6 weeks.
Processing time of S Pass is 7 working days when applying online and 5 weeks when applying in person.
Processing time of Work Permits is 1-7 working days.
Processing time of work visas for trainees and students is from 7 working days to 5 weeks.
Training Work Permit can be processed in 1 working day for interim approval when applying online.
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The viewer/user of this web page should use the above information as a guideline only, and should always contact the above sources or the user’s own government representatives for the most up-to-date information at that moment in time, before making a final decision to travel to that country or destination.
Transactions like applying for a work permit, issuance of a work permit, Renewing of a work permit, cancelling of a work permit, reinstating of a work permit, and applying to replace a work permit card can be carried out using WP Online. It needs to be mentioned here that when it comes to the FDW work permit, it can’t be carried out through WP Online.
2. How can I pay the application fee through GIRO?If you wish to pay the application fee through GIRO, the following steps need to be followed:
Yes, the status of the work permit application can be tracked after the application is successfully submitted.
4. Can I apply for Singapore work permit using WP Online at any time of the day?Usually the application can be made at any time of the day, however, due to the upgrading of eService in phases, the process of applying, enquiring and cancelling is unavailable between 3 am to 4 am every day.
5. I heard that the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore is revising the application and issuance fee for various types of work permit and passes. When are the new rates coming into effect from?The revised rates when it comes to application and issuance of work permit and passes are coming into effect from 1 April 2019.
The first step towards a successful Singapore working visa application is getting an evaluation of your case. Fill out our online immigration evaluation, and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and visa options.
