Working Living Studying in Singapore
Singapore is an island city state located at the southern most tip of Peninsula Malaysia The main island of Singapore is 42 k.m. from the east to west and 23 k.m. from north to south. The total land area is 647.5 square k.m. Average daily temperature is a maximum of 30.8 degrees C in the afternoon and the minimum is 23 degrees C. just before dawn . Average daily relative humidity is 84.4 % . To top of page
Population: projected total population target 6.5 million by 2030
Total population: (source: SDOS & ICA)
1970: 2.07 million (2.01m SC/SPR & 61,000 foreigners)
1980: 2.41 million (2.28m SC/SPR & 131,000 foreigners)
1990: 3.05 million (2.74m SC/SPR & 311,000 foreigners)
2000: 4.03 million (3.27m SC/SPR & 745,500 foreigners)
2006 4.48 million (3.60m SC/SPR & 875,000 foreigners)
2007 4.5886 million (3.1338 SC / 0.4492 SPR & 1.0055 foreigners)
2008 4.8394 million (3.1644 SC / 0.4782 SPR & 1.1967 foreigners)
2010 5.08 million as at 31/06/10 (3.2m SC / 0 .540m SPR & 1.31m foreigners (Advanced Census release)
Citizenships & SPRs Granted to foreigners by ICA (source: ST )
Year Citizenships SPRs 2002 7,600 39,500 2003 6,800 32,000 2004 7,600 36,900 2005 12,900 52,300 2006 13,200 57,300 2007 17,334 63,627 2008 20,513 79,167 2009 19,900 59,500 Apr 09 - Mar 10 19,300 46,300 LTSVP applications LTSVP Approved Mar 2009 - Mar 2010 total 70,300 Applications 56,300 Approved
SC Spouse applications SC Spouse Approved
Annual Average 2005 -2009 15,400 LTSVP 13,200 LTSVP
Annual Average 2005 -2009 9,900 SPR 5,400 SPR
132,000 SPR applications were received by ICA in 2009. 115,000 were processed and 59,500 were successful. Many of the PRs were family members of new SPRs as well as dependents of Singapore Citizens. The selection process is stringent. Most new PRs were the Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers under the Employment Pass. It assesses their tertiary and professional qualifications. One criterion used is whether they can integrate well into Singapaore society.
The Straits Times reported on 20th July 2010 that the total population of Non Resident Singaporeans (PRs + foreigners)
is about 1.79 million. The 2009 Ethnic composition (%) of resident population: Chinese 74.2%; Malays 13.4%; Indians 9.2%
& Others 3.2%. Of the 74.2 Chinese a recent S.T. report estimated the Dialectic grouping as 41% Hokkien; 21% Teochew;
15% Cantonese; 8% Hakka; about 200,00 Hainanese and around 50,000 FooChow
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Foreign Worker's Policy:
The philosophy of the Foreign Worker's Policy is to maintain a controlled and revolving pool of foreign workers to supplement the local workforce due a a declining birth rate, aging population, fast economic growth and Singaporeans shunning dirt, dangerous and demeaning type of work. The approved sources for foreign workers for Singapore Work Permits issued by the Ministry of Manpower includes South Korea, Taiwan, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macao, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. There is no nationality restrictions to work in Singapore under Singapore Employment Pass or S Pass issued by Singapore Ministry of Manpower. The ST of 17/03/09 reported that Singapore total employment as at December 2008 is 2,952,400 of which 1,894,700 are local and 1,057,700 are foreigners. Click here to view CVs of Job Seekers
English language is the official government administrative language and hence all documents to be submitted for official matters to ICA or MOM must have English translations .
Employers wishing to advertise their job vacancies for free click here
Medical Examination for Foreign Workers Foreign Students & SPR
Medical Examination is required for foreigners who applied and obtained in-principle approval for Student Pass, Work Permit, S Pass, Employment Passes of 6 month's duration or more, Long Term Immigration Passes, EPEC and Permanent Residence. The Medical Report from a Singapore registered doctor should be submitted in person by the applicant. Issuance of the Student Passes, Work Permits, S Passes. Employment Passes, EPEC, SPR will be subjected to the outcome of the medical report. We can arrange for your full medical exam ready for next 3 working days collection or urgent express service same day / next day collection . Call Steve 65-98365486 to make arrangements
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Work Permit Performing Artiste
Miscellaneous Work Pass
Work Pass Exempt Activities
The Employment of Foreign Workers Act defines a foreign worker as one who is not a citizen of Singapore and who seeks employment with, or is offered employment by, or is in the employment of, an employer at a salary of not more than S$2000 a month. A foreign worker with a basic pay of S$2500 or below needs a Work Permit from the Controller of Work Permits before coming to Singapore. The WP is normally issued for 2 years basis. According to a ST report of 15/03/09 there are about 870,000 WP holders in Singapore
Click here for assistance in Online application of Work Permit or call Steve 98365486 or email filmo@filmo.com
There are about 150,000 domestic workers in Singapore of which about 75,000 are Filipinas. WEF 1/1/05 the minimum age limit will be at least 23 years + 8 years of formal education & must pass a compulsory English test within 3 days of arrival. For advice on Direct Hire WP applications for Foreign Domestic Workers or for special waiver request to MOM call Steve at 65 - 98365486 or email filmo@filmo.com
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An Employment Pass is a must for a qualified or skilled foreign professional who may be employed if his Singapore employer can pay him or her a basic monthly salary of S$2501 or more. Applications to Singapore Ministry of Manpower should be supported by certified copies of academic or professional qualifications, working testimonials. EPs are generally issued for 1 to 2 years in the first instance and upto 5 years on subsequent renewal. To qualify for EP an applicant should generally have a Degree from Foreign Universities in MOM's List plus preferably 5 years relevant working experiences. The ST of 15/03/09 reported that there are about 188,000 SPass/EP holders in Singapore. The number of SPass holders were 25,000 in 2006 and 74,000 in 2007. Click here for EPONLINE submission services by Filmo for EP or SPass applications
Dependent Pass holders require only a Letter of Consent from the Employment Pass Department of Ministry of Manpower to work in Singapore. Online submission of CVs
Professional and Skilled Jobs
For assistance in EP applications or LOC call Steve at 98365486 or e-mail: filmo@filmo.comTo top of page
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Professional Visit Pass Holders replaced by
Work Permit Performing Artiste
Miscellaneous Work Pass
Work Pass Exempt Activities
call Steve at 98365486 or e-mail: filmo@filmo.com for WP Online submission services
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It is an offence under the Singapore Immigration Regulations for a foreign student to attend school without a valid student pass. A foreign student seeking admission to a kindergarten, private school or an institution of higher learning e.g. university or polytechnic should approach them directly for admission. Donation to the Education Fund of the Ministry of Education is not required for admission to a kindergarten, private school or institute of higher learning. The present foreign student enrolment in Singapore is about 97,000 according to a ST report on 15/03/09. This figure is likely to grow in the near future to 150,000.
The ST. reported on 08//03/09 that foreigners studying in Singapore consisted : 20% of 49,000 University students; 8% of 91,000 Polytechnic/ITE students; 4% of 521,000 Primary/Secondary students. Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, English , Computer Science, and MBA courses are amonst favourite subjects of study by foreign nationals. The local sponsor for the application for a student's pass can be a Singapore citizen, Singapore P.R. or the school or institute where the applicant intends to study. The following documentation are required for a student pass application: letter of acceptance from the school, travel documents, identity card of local sponsor, birth certificate, educational certificates, parent's marriage certificate. The local sponsor should furnish a security bond for the amount of S$5,000 for students from the P.R.C. India, Bangladesh & Burma. For other countries the Security bond is between S$1000 to S$1500. Under a recent ICA ruling PRC students attending SQC Schools & those aged 19 years and below can submit their application for STP directly to ICA in Singapore without having to go through via the Singapore High Commission in Beijing.
Assistance to submit Online for STP application to study in Singapore PEO (Private Schools/Colleges)
Assistance to submit Online for STP application to study in FSS Foreign Systems Schools in Singapore
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Foreigners working, living or visiting Singapore are subject to Singapore laws. Singaporeans and foreigners are accorded the same protection under Singapore Laws. The trafficking and possession of illicit narcotic drugs carries the mandatory death sentence. Overstaying or entering illegally in Singapore is a serious offence and on conviction the penalties may include mandatory imprisonment and caning. Employers hiring illegal workers are also severely punished with huge fines plus possible caning for repeat offenders.
Examples of Some Offences and their Penalties
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Drunkenness in public place - Imprisonment of up to 1 month or fine up to S$1000 |
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Making false police report - Imprisonment of up to 6 months or fine up to S$1000 or both |
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Theft - Imprisonment of between 3 to 7 years or fine or both |
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Overstaying - Imprisonment of up to 6 months or fine up to S$4,000 or both. Caning of not less than 3 strokes and imprisonment of up to 6 months if overstayed beyond 90 days |
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Drug trafficking or murder - death sentence |
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Illegal workers fine up to S$5000 or to imprisonment up to 1 year or both |
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Foreign workers who moonlight while holding work permits will face a fine of up to S$5000 and be barred from future employment. |
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Anyone caught employing foreigners without a valid work permit will be charged in court even if that foreigner has entered into Singapore legally as a Student or as a Social Visitor e.g. tourist. The first time offender faces a minimum fine of up to 24 months of foreign worker's levy and a maximum fine of up to 48 months levy for each illegal worker employed or to imprisonment of up to 1 year or both. For the second or repeat conviction the penalty will be a mandatory jail sentence of 1 to 12 months in addition to the above fines. |
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Those found guilty of employing over stayers / illegal immigrants face a jail sentence of 6 months to 2 years and a fine of up to S$6000 plus compulsory caning if he employs more than 5 immigration offenders as workers. |
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Application for Singapore Permanent Residence & Citizenship
EP, S-pass and WP holders have to leave Singapore within seven to 14 days if they lose their jobs. PEP holders can remain unemployed in Singapore for up to six months. SPRs can remain in Singapore until their five-year re-entry permit expires.
For more updated information on SPR & Citizenship
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Immigration rules have been relaxed to allow Singaporean women who marry foreigners to bring in their husbands. From 2nd Jan 1999 Singaporean woman can sponsor her foreign husband for PR so long as the family has the means to support itself. Foreigners who have ever work in Singapore under Work Permit scheme must obtained the prior written approval of MOM before contracting a marriage with any Singaporean or SPR. Failure to adhere to this MOM ruling can cause the offending party to be barred from entering into Singapore. If you need advise regarding MOM marriage screening or assisting in obtaining MOM prior approval please contact Steve at 98365486 or email filmo@starhub.net.sg Click here for more information
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Singapore Income Tax Liability for Foreigners
Foreigners have to pay tax on income earned in Singapore and the amount of income they have to pay would depend on how much they earn and their tax residency. Source: IRAS Advisory to employers Ref: 2010/F&C/1/2010
| Period of stay | Tax Resident Status | Tax Implications |
| 183 days or more | Resident | All incomes will be taxed at progressive resident rates. Tax relief can be claimed |
| 61 to 182 days | Non-resident | Employment income is taxed at 15% or progressive resident rates, depending on which results in a higher tax. Director's fees and other income are taxed at the prevailing rate of 20%. Tax reliefs are not allowed |
| 60 days or less | Non-resident | The short term employment income is exempt from tax. Director's fees and other income are taxed at the prevailing rate of 20%. Tax relief are not allowed |
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Caution : No one should rely on any of the above information without first verifying the accuracy and validity of the contents with the relevant experts or proper government authorities in Singapore. Email filmo@filmo.com for general enquiries |
