Singapore Work Visa for Indians - Types, Cost & Documents Required

he rapid development in the Singapore’s digital economy and finance and global trends in the demand and supply for tech talent attracted Indian professionals to Singapore.

Indian techies who are willing to grab the opportunities available in Singapore must obtain a work visa to start a business or continue the job they have secured there. Read on to learn about the process of getting a Singapore work visa for Indian citizens.

A work visa or work permit in Singapore is a legal document that allows foreign nationals to work in the country for a specific period of time.

Foreign nationals, including Indians, need to have a work permit or work pass to take up a job (temporary or permanent) in Singapore.

According to the rules of the work permit, employers who employ foreign nationals, including Indians, must offer a salary for their service, provide health insurance and maintain a security bond.

The Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, issues various types of work passes and permits to all foreigners who wish to work in the country.

Foreign nationals must obtain a valid work visa before they start working in Singapore.

The different types of work visas issued depending on various types of work are discussed below.

1. Professionals

• EntrePass: Indians (i.e. foreign entrepreneurs) who wish to start their own business venture in Singapore must obtain EntrePass.
• Employment Pass: Foreign professionals, managers, and executive-level people who earn above S$ 3,600 and have the required qualifications need to acquire an Employment pass.
• Personalised Employment Pass: High earning professionals with an employment pass must obtain this type of work permit. Overseas foreign professionals are required to have this personalised employment pass.

2. Skilled and Semi-skilled workers

• S Pass: Mid-level skilled staff must obtain S Pass.
• Work Permit for Performing Artists: Foreign performers (here Indian citizens) who are willing in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs need to gather this type of work permit.
• Work Permit for Foreign Worker: Individuals who are willing to be involved in construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors must apply for this type of visa.
• Work Permit for Domestic Worker: Migrant Domestic Workers (MDMs) who are female and willing to work in Singapore must  gather this type of work permit.

The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of visa applied. Read on to learn about them in detail.

EntrePass

• Candidates must have started or intend to start a private limited company that is registered with ACRA.
• The registered company must have an operating age of 6 months or less from the date of registration.
• Applicants must fulfil any of the mentioned criteria for application as mentioned on the official website.

Employment Pass

• Foreign professionals, managers and executives. Candidates need to earn a minimum of $ 4,500 a month and have needed qualifications.

Personalised Employment Pass

• An overseas foreign professional with a last fixed monthly salary of $ 18,000.
• The applicant’s last drawn salary must fall within 6 months of the application for a visa.
• An Employment Pass holder with an earning of a minimum of $ 12,000 per month.

S Pass

• Applicants must earn a fixed monthly salary of a minimum of $ 2,500. The salary must reflect work experience. Aged and more experienced applicants need to earn higher salaries to qualify.
• Applicants must have a degree or diploma. Technical certificates, such as courses for qualified technicians or specialists, are considered. The certification should require at least 1 year of full-time study.
• Applicants must have relevant work experience.

Work Permit for Performing Artists

• Applicants must have a CAT 1 Public Entertainment Licence issued by the Singapore Police Force.
• They must work at least 6 hours a day.
• They must be classified as a lounge, nightclub, pub, bar, discotheque hotel, private club or restaurant.
• Employers must employ at least 1 local employee who earns the Local Qualifying Salary.

Work Permit for Foreign Worker

• Only nationalities from certain countries, including Indians, can apply for this type of Singapore Work Permit. The application is available only in the construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors.

Work Permit for Domestic Worker

• Applicants must be female.
• Their age must range from 23 to 50 years during the Work Permit application.
• Helpers of age 50 years and above will only be able to renew their Work Permits until they are 60 years old.
• Females from a specific source country or region can apply for this type of visa, including India as well.
• Applicants must have 8 years of formal education with an authorised certificate.

Employers or visa agents must complete the visa on behalf of the employees. Here is a step-by-step guide on the application process for a Singapore work visa.

Step 1 – Employers submit the application form.

Step 2 – They must prepare for the worker’s arrival.

Step 3 – Next, they must get the permit issued.

Step 4 – Employers must register fingerprints and photos.

Step 5 – At this stage, they must receive a work pass or permit.

Step 6 – At last, they must return the old card.

Following is a list of essential documents that professionals must gather or submit to their employer while applying for a work visa in Singapore Valid passport.

• Past employment testimonials
• Duly filled application form
• Copies of education certificates
• Company’s appointment letter
• A detailed description of the type of work to be performed by the applicant in Singapore
• 2 recent colour photographs

Here is a detailed discussion on the documents required for diverse Singapore work visa types.

EntrePass

• Personal particulars page of your passport.
• Past employment testimonials (if any) in English or elaborated resume with details of professional experiences, awards or recognitions.
• For businesses registered with ACRA) Company’s latest business profile or instant information from Bizfile.
• A business plan in English. The description can go up to 10 pages. Details that must be included are the product and service offered, a profile of the management team, market analysis, and operational plan.
• Supporting documents, such as product certificates, and endorsement patents, licensing agreements.
• Other supporting documents of this EntrePass application.
• Applicants may need to include additional documents depending on their application status as an entrepreneur, innovator or investor.

Employment Pass

• Personal particulars page of candidate’s passport.
• In case the applicant’s name on the passport does not match with the name provided on their other documents, they have to please also upload an explanation letter and supporting documents (e.g. deed poll).
• Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA
• Educational certificates (Transcripts or mark sheets for all semesters stating the college attended- for Indian citizens)

Personalised Employment Pass

• Details of your passport
• Name and address of employer (if available)
• Details of Dependent’s Pass holders, if applicable
• Details of long-term social visit pass holders (if applicable)
• Local contact details (for overseas professionals, the local contact details must be submitted upon approval)
• Job and salary details (if available)

S Pass

• Personal particulars page of candidate’s passport.
• If the candidate’s name on the passport differs from that on their other documents, please also upload an explanation letter and supporting documents (e.g. deed poll).
• Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA.
• Candidate’s educational certificates, such as degree certificate
• Educational certificates
• Additional documents (for Indian citizens) - Transcripts or mark sheets for all semesters stating the college attended)

Work Permit for Performing Artists

• A photocopy of the applicant’s passport showing personal information and any amendments done to it
• Photocopy of Educational Certificates
• Public Entertainment Licence issued by the Singapore Police Force
• If the employer is hiring foreign workers for the first time
• A photocopy of the profile of their business from ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority)
• A photocopy of the three most recent monthly CPF Contribution Statements of the business
• A photocopy of the Food Establishment Licence (if the employer has a food establishment)

Work Permit for Foreign Worker

• Photocopy of your passport showing personal information and any amendments made to it.
• Photocopy of your Educational Certificates.
• If the employer has never hired foreign workers before:
• Photocopy of the business’ three most recent monthly CPF Contribution Statements.
• Photocopy of their business’ profile from ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority).
• If employers are a food establishment, a photocopy of the Food Establishment Licence.

Online applications (such as Employment Pass) can take up to 3 weeks, whereas manual applications can take more than 5 weeks.

In general, it takes 2-4 weeks of work permit processing time which can continue for several months if reviewing of application becomes necessary to assure local workers are not overlooked.

Below are discussed some of the common reasons for work visa denial in Singapore.

• Submitting a damaged or invalid passport (applicants must have a passport validity of 6 months from the date of return, and the last two pages must be blank). 
• Already have a valid Singapore visa.
• Not submitting sufficient documents at the Embassy.
• Unable to prove the intention of returning back to my home country (here India).
• Having a criminal record.
• Furnishing false documents.
• Submitting documents in regional languages.
• Failing to follow the Visa rules and regulations.

As this piece shows, the application process for a Singapore work visa for Indians is simple. So, keep the eligibility parameters in mind and easily obtain a work permit in Singapore.