Much like in the English language, there are some phrases or words that one can only understand if they come from Work Passes Singapore. One phrase is work passes and it’s an integral part of getting a job done in the country. Yet, it’s not always so easy to secure a work pass and that is why we’ve compiled this guide for you with all the information that you’ll need to get your work pass sorted out!
It’s been said time and time again but finding a job overseas can be very difficult. Even when you know the right places to look and what experience is needed, onto whether or not the company will hire you. When it comes to Singapore, they have a very strict law with regards to employees and what they can do in the day. This means that employees who do not have a work pass will be forced out of Work Passes Singapore before their visa expires!
The law only allows citizens from Singapore, or those who are deemed a PR status resident to have a work pass. This essentially means that if you have a different citizenship, then you need a work pass. If you have a spouse who is a Singaporean or PR resident, then they can apply for the work pass and provide it to you. This is only allowed if you are the main breadwinner in the family.
The spouse who wishes to apply for their partner’s work permit has to be able to prove that they are earning at least $10,000 SGD per month from their job. This is a big amount of money but it is required in order to guarantee that they are the main breadwinner of the marriage. If you’re not able to prove this, then your application will be denied.
When it comes to working as a freelancer, you may also require a work pass. This is only if you’ll be earning a large sum of money from your freelance job. Otherwise, it’s illegal for you to take on freelance projects without the proper work permit.
New Work Passes in Singapore
The best way to obtain a Work Passes Singapore permit is to apply for one before your visa expires. This means that you need to do it as soon as possible because it’ll only be valid for a certain amount of time if you don’t get it at the right time. Keep in mind that the work pass is only valid for a certain amount of time and you’ll be forced to get a new one before your current visa expires. With this in mind, it’s important that you apply for the new work pass in time.
If your current visa is expiring soon and you do not have a new work permit yet, then you need to apply for one as soon as possible. Otherwise, the immigration officials will force you to leave Singapore before your visa expires.
There is only a certain amount of people allowed to apply for a new work pass each month. If you’re not one of them, then there’s no way that you’ll be able to get that work pass before your current visa expires.
What’s the Difference between the Work Pass and a Residence Pass?
The main difference between the Work Passes Singapore and residence pass is that the work pass is always temporary whilst your residence permit is permanent. This means that when your work pass runs out, you will have to leave Singapore. The residence pass is a permit that you can apply for to be able to live in the country for the rest of your life. However, it’s only awarded to a few people each year and you have to be granted approval before you can get this.
As an employee, it’s important that you understand what the work pass means. Doing so will help you understand why the work permits are difficult to acquire and why they can only be applied for by certain people in Singapore.
The Work Pass
To be able to apply for a work pass, you must meet the following criteria:
You would need to be working in Singapore for at least 2 years and earning the minimum $10,000 SGD per month from your company. Being a foreigner without any position in the company will not allow you to obtain a work permit. If you were working here under an employment visa and then suddenly decided to stop working without any definite reason, then it will also not help your chances of
getting a work pass either. Make sure that you are being paid correctly time to avoid any problems with your Work Passes Singapore.
If you do not meet these criteria, then you can still apply for a work pass if you have a spouse or child who is a citizen of Singapore or PR. You could obtain the permit from them and it will be passed onto your company to be filled out by them.
As an employee who needs to obtain a work pass, remember that there will be some restrictions placed on this permit. You will not be able to change your job and you cannot transfer the pass to anyone else.
You will only be allowed to work for a certain number of hours as well as within very strict boundaries. Failure to comply with these terms can result in serious problems with the authorities and you won’t be granted a new work pass the next time around.
You can only work in the city and the main cities of Work Passes Singapore during certain times. There are different times of the day when you can legally be working and they are very specific. You must make sure you keep track of these hours during your time here because it’s not something that you can be punished for.
