Information for Expatriates Who Plan to Settle in Singapore

How can Expats Move to Singapore

Expatriates can move to Singapore in 3 ways:

Start up a Business
Work in Singapore
Relocate to Singapore

Are you thinking about moving to or settling in Singapore? Before you arrive in Singapore, this section will help you understand the various immigration scheme, various work passes, and registering of business in Singapore, enabling you to move to Singapore as an expatriates.

Types of Visa/Permits in Singapore Immigrant Schemes

Entrepreneur Pass
Personalised Employment Pass
Employment Pass
Dependent Pass
Permanent Residence

1) Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)
The Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) is a variation of the Employment Pass, and is a type of work pass for owners of newly incorporated (or to be incorporated) Singapore companies who wish to relocate to Singapore to operate their new business. An EntrePass is initially issued for 1 year and is renewable as long as the business remains viable.

Expat business owners who wish to incorporate a new company or have recently incorporated a company that is less than six months old are eligible for EntrePass. However, the business must fulfill one of the “innovativeness” conditions that were introduced in September 2013. There is no official quota system for EntrePass.

2) Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of Employment Pass for the well paid professionals who want to work in Singapore for an employer.

The PEP is not tied to a specific employer. The biggest benefit of having a PEP work permit is that you can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass provided that you are not unemployed for more than six months. The biggest downside is that you are not allowed to start your own company as a PEP holder, since the pass is meant for you to be employed by a third-party employer. In additional, the PEP cannot be renewed after 3 years as it can be only issued once.

The eligibility requirements for PEP are quite strict. Current expat EP holders must earn at least S$12,000 a month, and foreign expats who is applying PEP must earn at least S$18,000 a month. There is no official quota system for PEP.

1) Types of Employment Pass:

Employment Pass

This type of work permit is meant for company owners or skilled employees who will be working in Singapore. Fixed monthly salary must be more than S$3,300 and you should be a degree holder from a reputable university. The EP is initially issued for 1-2 years at the discretion of the authorities and is renewable as long as the expat is continued to be employed.

S Pass

The S Pass is for mid-skilled employees who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $2,200. S Pass applicants are assessed based on employer’s quota eligibility and applicant’s qualifications. Instead of a degree, a technical diploma is acceptable for this kind of work pass. The S Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years at the discretion of the authorities and is renewable as long as the expat is continued to be employed and company employing the expat did not reach the employment quota eligibility of foreign workers.

Work Permit

This permit is issued to semi-skilled workers from foreign countries such as worker in the field of construction, manufacturing, marine or services.

4) Dependent Pass
Dependent Pass is a family relocation visa issued to expat's spouses and unmarried children (below 21 years) of Employment Pass or Entrepreneur Pass holders with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$4,000. A separate DP application must be filed for each eligible family member.

A DP holder’s status in Singapore is tied to the status of the main expat work pass holder. As long as the work pass holder is employed in Singapore, the DP holder is eligible to live in the country as well as leave and enter Singapore freely without having to apply for a Singapore visa every time.

5) Permanent Resident
Thousands of people have become Singapore permanent residents every year but not all go through the same application process. Permanent Residence (PR) application can be applied for the whole family for example, the applicant himself plus the spouse and unmarried children under 21. Below are the different types of PR schemes in Singapore.

PR Scheme for Professionals
The Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker scheme (or simply “PTS scheme”) is for foreign professionals who are working in Singapore at the time of applying for permanent residence. The PTS scheme is the easiest and most assured route to attaining PR in Singapore.

PR Scheme for Investors
Applicants must possess at least 3 years of entrepreneurial and business track record and must produce audited financial statements of your company for the last 3 years.

The company’s turnover must be at least S$50 million in the year immediately preceding the application, and at least S$50 million per annum on average for the 3 years immediately preceding your application.

If the company is privately-held, the applicant should have at least 30% shareholding in the company. The applicant's role in the company, as well as the growth and profitability of the company would be taken into consideration.

PR Scheme for Foreign Artistic Talent
Singapore’s arts scene has been rapidly growing over recent years, as the country is aiming to be the regional arts hub. Applicants can apply for permanent residence through Foreign Artistic Talent scheme if they are talented in any arts, photography, dance, music, theatre, literature or film.

To qualify for this scheme, the applicant must be a well-recognized artist in their own country, preferably with an international reputation, and possess the relevant training in your field of practice. The applicants must also have made significant contributions to Singapore’s arts and cultural scene, including a strong track record of local engagements at leadership level, and have concrete plans to be involved in the Singapore arts and cultural sector.