Working in Singapore
If you’re thinking of working in Singapore after graduation, you’re heading in the right direction.
Singapore welcomes global talent in a wide range of future-forward industries, including biomedical sciences, R&D, healthcare and financial services. There are few cities in Asia more exciting than Singapore to launch your career in!
Working Conditions
Most employees in Singapore work five days a week, up to 44 hours. Vacation leave varies from seven to 14 days, usually increasing with length of service and seniority. Contracts often include two to three weeks of paid sick leave and hospitalisation leave.
Starting salaries for graduates are very competitive in Singapore. A fixed bonus is given at the end of the year, equivalent to one month’s salary. In addition, variable bonuses are sometimes declared, depending on the company and individual’s performance.
To sweeten the deal, many companies provide their employees with other incentives such as recreational facilities and holiday subsidies.
A big attraction for foreigners is Singapore’s personal income tax rates, which are among the lowest in the world. If you have been in Singapore for at least 183 days in a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident and will be taxed on all income that is incidental to employment in Singapore. Non-residents, who are in Singapore for less than 183 days a year, will be taxed only on income earned in Singapore. To find out more information and tax rates, visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore website.
Starting Out
If you have not yet graduated and want to have a taste of working life in Singapore, you may embark on an internship. Internships expose students to real-life work experiences and often present an excellent platform for companies to assess the suitability of candidates for full-time employment. To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a full-time degree programme. You may seek internship opportunities from job search companies, from your university via partnerships with Singapore tertiary institutions, or apply directly to Singapore companies.
Alternatively, you may approach internship sites such as Asia Interns and Intern SG for help.
Another option is to apply to the Work Holiday Programme (WHP) administered by the Ministry of Manpower. The WHP offers undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to gain living and work experience in Singapore.
And if your university is part of Contact Singapore’s Experience@Singapore network, you’re in luck. This programme offers students an immersion trip of up to five days. They will get a whirlwind experience of life in Singapore, visit top corporations and meet industry leaders – to get a quick taste of working here.
Finally, if you want to just launch right in, check out check out Contact Singapore's job portal. Or go to this website which offers job openings for fresh graduates.
Application Procedures
To work in Singapore, you need to hold a valid Employment Pass. There are four types of Employment Passes (P1, P2, Q1 and S). For eligibility and details on the different passes, please visit the Ministry of Manpower website.
To apply for an Employment Pass, a local sponsor is required, usually the employer. If you have not yet secured a job, you may apply for the Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC), which grants you a Social Visit Pass valid for a year, giving you time to look for employment in Singapore. All EPEC applications have to be submitted online.
To check if you qualify for an Employment/S Pass, please take the Employment/S Pass Self-Assessment Test.