Many expatriates choose Singapore as their destination. Singapore, Asia’s city-state, is one of the safest cities in the world. Safety is omnipresent. What’s more, Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with excellent doctors. It is also renowned for its modernity and economic activity. All the conditions are in place for a peaceful expatriation.
There is a wide range of visa options for those wishing to stay in Singapore for an extended period. To work legally in Singapore, you need a valid work visa. Your work visa will depend on your profile, your experience and your role in the company you’re going to work for.
Work visas in Singapore for expatriates
For professionals:
– Employment Pass: For foreign professionals, executives and managers. To apply for the Employment Pass, you must earn at least $3,600 a month and have acceptable qualifications. If you already have an Employment Pass and your salary is high enough, you can apply for the Personalised Employment Pass. This gives you more flexibility than an Employment Pass.
– EntrePass: For people wishing to set up their own business in Singapore.
For skilled and semi-skilled workers :
– S Pass: The S Pass is based on the same principle as the Employment Pass, but applies to applicants earning less than SGD$2,300 a month. They must meet the evaluation criteria.
– Work Permit for foreign worker: For semi-skilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine, process or service sectors.
If you are planning to go to Singapore for an internship or exchange :
– The Training Employment Pass is intended for foreign professionals earning at least $3,000 a month.
– Work Holiday Pass for students and graduates. You must be aged between 18 and 25, and stay in Singapore for 6 months.
– To apply for a Student’s Pass, you must be accepted into a full-time, Singapore-approved academic program. Part-time, evening or weekend courses are not eligible. The duration of your visa will depend on the period requested by the school. Treatment takes about 5 weeks.
Family visas for expatriation to Singapore
– To apply for a Dependant Pass for a family member, you must earn a minimum of $600 per month in fixed salary. This pass is intended for the spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders. This pass is renewable and allows you to work if you request a Letter of Consent.
– The Long Term Visit Pass is intended for the spouse, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or disabled child of an eligible Employment Pass or S Pass visa holder. If you earn more than $12,000, you can also bring your parents. This pass is renewable but does not allow you to work in Singapore.
Working conditions in Singapore
In Singapore, the legal working week is 44 hours. To find a job, Singapore offers a wide range of job boards, as well as a large number of leading recruitment and headhunting firms.
Salaries are generally higher, and are the same gross and net, as there are no social security charges.
As social security contributions are non-existent, expatriates cannot benefit from unemployment, health insurance or pension contributions. These benefits are at your expense and must be taken out with a private organization. There are also bonuses called AWS or “Annual Wage Supplement” which is given at the end of the year to certain senior positions. They average 2 months’ salary per year.
You are entitled to 14 days’ vacation per year, with no maximum working hours. There are also 12 public holidays in the year. If it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday and you get extra time off.
Generally speaking, employers can offer you more leave than the legal minimum, depending on how long you’ve been with the company.
How does the health insurance system work in Singapore on a work visa?
As a foreign employee, your company may or may not offer youhealth insurance in Singapore. It is not compulsory to cover Employment Pass holders, but most companies do. Social benefits are a huge plus for the company, especially in Singapore where businesses are highly competitive. If you have an S Pass, your employer is obliged to cover you. Nevertheless, health insurance plans offered by companies often exclude certain benefits. For example, with the exclusion of routine care, dental care and maternity, a low reimbursement ceiling for hospitalization…
The second option is the local health insurance plan. The membership fee is affordable. However, reimbursement ceilings for routine care and hospitalization are low.
What is the most popular expatriate insurance in Singapore?
Mondassur’sGoldExpat expatriate insurance is particularly popular with expatriates in Singapore. This is thanks to our extensive international health coverage, tailored to a wide range of professional profiles. It covers the full cost of medical care, including consultations, prescription drugs and hospitalization. In addition, it attaches great importance to mental well-being, offering support services in this area, as well as repatriation assistance in the event of a medical emergency. Maternity cover is also a strong point, supporting families in their expansion. GoldExpat stands out for its ability to adjust to individual needs thanks to modular options such as dental and optical cover, enabling policyholders to tailor their plan to their specific needs. Mondassur’s multilingual customer service facilitates communication and ensures accessible assistance, guaranteeing a reassuring and secure experience for expatriates, whatever their origin. Get a free quote for expat insurance in Singapore today!
