Singapore An Introduction
Physical location:
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 32.8 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 5.5 million by 2015
Total population: (source: SDOS )
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)
Citizenships & SPRs Granted to foreigners by ICA (source: ST 060507)
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
Estimated Breakdown of major foreign nationals in Singapore: Source Embassies & HC
Chinese 200,000
Indonesian 150,000
Filipino 120,000
Indian 90,000
Bangladesh 60,000
Thai 45,000
Japanese 26,000
Sri Lankan 20,000
British 17,000
American 15,000
South Korean 15,000
Australian 15,000
Myanmarese 10,000
German 5,000
French 4,000
Singapore citizens and permanent residents
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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. There are about 560,000 foreign workers in Singapore.
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 .
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New Jobs
40,000 new jobs must be created every year because 56,000 people enter the labour market and 16,000 leave it every year. Among the jobs seekers are 10,400 fresh graduates from the 2 local universities, 13,500 from the 4 local polytechnics, 5,000 ITE graduates and about 10,000 retrenched workers seeking re-employment. Local university graduates usually enter the job market in May or June same as UK and USA. Australian graduates finish in July or December. About 45000 jobs will be created each year for the next 5 years if the Singapore economy grows steadily at 5% a year. The shift is to knowledge-based activities.
Where the new jobs are? The annual job growth will be fastest in:
Business services 8,800
Financial intermediation 5,900
Computer related activities 4,700
Transport & logistics 4,000
Education 2,800
Health care 2,300
Wholesale trade 1,900
Petroleum & chemicals 1,400
Medical Examination for Foreign Workers Foreign Students & SPR
Medical Examination is required for foreigners who applied and obtained in-principle approval for WP, S Pass, Employment Passes of 6 month's duration or more, Long Term Immigration Passes 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, PR will be subjected to the outcome of the medical report. We can arrange for your full medical exam ready for next 2- 3 working days collection or urgent express service same day / next day collection. Call Alan 65-97807243 to make arrangements
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Work Permit Holders
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.
Click here for assistance in employing a Malaysian worker at a lower levy rate of S$80 if the worker has completed at least a Full Malaysian Form 4 School leaving Certificate starzest@singnet.com.sg
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Foreign Domestic Workers
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 Alan at 65 - 97807243 or email starzest@singnet.com.sg
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Employment Pass Holders
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 (wef 1st Dec 2001) Applications to Singapore Ministry of Manpower should be supported by certified copies of academic or professional qualifications, working testimonials and reasons why a foreigner is required for the job. EPs are generally issued for 1 to 3 years. Foreign Universities in MOM's List
In 1996 50,000 of the 560,000 foreigners in Singapore are Employment Pass Holders who have tertiary or professional qualifications or are paid at least S$2001 basic salary a month. The inflow of EP holders over the past few years is about 2,000 a year but with the Singapore Government's policy of attracting top talents from around the world number of EP applications may rise.
Dependent Pass holders require only a Letter of Consent from the Employment Pass Department of Ministry of Manpower to work in Singapore if the salary is S$2501 or more . The DP holder has to apply for a Work Permit at the Work Permit Dept if the salary is less than S$2500
Professional and Skilled Jobs
For assistance in EP applications or LOC call Alan at 97807243 or e-mail:starzest@singnet.com.sg
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Professional Visit Pass Holders
Professional Visit Passes are required by foreign artistes and professionals taking up short-term assignments in Singapore. Foreigners on short term assignments would not need these passes unless they are entering Singapore to conduct or attend forums of a racial, communal, religious, caused-related or political nature. Foreign religious workers here to give talks, foreign journalists in Singapore to write or cover an event and those performing at night-clubs and lounges must also apply for work passes. Where appropriate a foreigner would have to apply for a public entertainment licence if his activities or performance is carried out in public.
Professional and Skilled Job Applicants
For assistance in Professional Visit Pass applications
call Alan at 97807243 or e-mail: starzest@singnet.com.sg
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Student's Pass Holders
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. In 1995 38,383 student passes were issued by Immigration and Checkpoint Authority of Singapore. The present foreign student enrolment in Singapore is about 50,000. This figure is likely to grow by 3 times in the near future to 150,000
English , Computer Science, and MBA courses are 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 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
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Singapore Laws
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.
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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
For more updated information on SPR & Citizenship
Application for Singapore Permanent Residence & Citizenship
Permanent residency application is open to those under 50 years old and who are
suitably qualified or skilled. They may apply to the Singapore Immigration Authorities
for Singapore P.R. after at least 6 months of employment on Employment pass or on
a three -year Work Permit.
Approval of application of PR is based on the applicant's qualifications, expertise, local employment and individual merit. New applicants would be assessed on talents, skills and experience and not just on academic qualifications. Another factor to consider whether the immigrant's family members can also contribute to Singapore's growth and how well the immigrant and his family can fit into Singapore society. Foreign students on scholarship might be persuaded to get their families to settle in Singapore. The target group of new immigrants will be mainly younger people.
The number of PRs in Singapore is 350,000. There are about 800,000 people staying in Singapore on Long Term Social Visit Passes. In 2003 6,500 foreigners becomes Singapore citizens. The number of Singaporeans is 3 million. Each years about 500 male PRs enlist for National Service.
Singapore Prs by age (2000 census figures)
0-14 years 46,027
20-29 years 61,937
30-39 years 94,995
Total number of SPRs below 40 years is 202,959. As at year 2000 there are a total of 290,118 ( or 3.7% ) Permanent Residents compared to 112,132 ( or 7.2% ) in 1990. In 1994, 21659 PR applications were approved. In 1995 this figure went up to 24437 and in 1996, 31618 foreigners became Permanent Residents. An estimated 35,000 could possibly be absorbed depending on individual merit.
The first category are the PRs who met certain standards and whose children could become Singaporeans. Next, the EP holders who had skills or professional qualifications and came to Singapore as executives or professionals. The 3rd category were the semi-skilled and low-skilled - construction workers, domestic helpers, technicians, bus drivers and crane operators who were WP holders. The CPF rates for SPRs is 4% for 1st year, 9% for 2nd years and 13% for 3rd year.
Foreign spouses of Singaporeans including husbands of Singaporean women may
also apply for Singapore PR. The number of foreigners given Permanent Residence in Singapore has been increasing for the last few years and is expected to continue to increase in the immediate years ahead.
About 10,000 people are granted citizenship every year less than half of the 30,000
who are granted PR status annually. A person is eligible for citizenship if he is above
21 years and has for a total of 10 out of 12 years as a PR. Those with relevant
qualifications are eligible after 5 out of 6 years as PR, while professionals, investors
and graduates can apply under the Accelerated Citizenship Scheme after 2 years as PR. The 9 page citizenship application form ask for personal and family particulars, educational and employment histories, travels details and income tax calculations.
The thing that put people off from applying for citizenship is the thought that their sons have to go through national service. First generation PRs and foreign born citizens do not have to serve but their sons will be enlisted upon reaching 16-1/2 years.
What are the benefits of Citizenship?
Only Singapore citizen can apply for a Singapore International Passport which has
very little travel restrictions around the world.
Citizens have the right to vote in Presidential and Parliamentary Elections and to stand for elections. PR's children if borne in Singapore becomes only PR but Singapore Citizen's children borne anywhere will automatically become Singapore Citizens.
Citizens over 21 years can buy or rent subsidized public housing from the HDB while PRs can only buy resale flats. Married Citizens who are first time buyers can get CPF housing grants of S$40,000 to buy from the open market and S$50,000 if the apartment is near where their parent's or where their married children lived. In upgrading of HDB flats Citizens pay a fraction of HDB upgrading costs while PR pay for the full cost. Singapore citizens are entitled to a subsidized mortgage loan rate of 0.1% above the CPF rate. Citizens can buy all types of private residential property but PR must seek permission from the Law Ministry if they want to buy landed property
or any unit in a low rise apartment development which has less than 6 levels.
Citizens qualify for tax rebates of S$5,000 to S$20,000 if their 2nd child is borne after Jan 1st 1987. More tax rebates & subsidies are now available even for the 4th child . Citizens who are working mothers qualify for tax rebates equal to 15% of their income at the time of her 3rd and 4th child birth if she elects for separate income tax assessment. Citizens receive ad hoc CPF top up from the government. Citizens do not pay fees in government and government aided schools. PRs pay concessionary fees.
Other factors being equal, professionals and other professional visit pass holders stand the best chance of becoming PRs under a point system beginning January 1999. Other than type of work pass, other factors are: duration of stay in Singapore, academic qualification, basic monthly salary, age and family ties in Singapore. No reason is ever offered for approval or rejection and this will still hold. The type of work pass the applicant holds will be the primary basis for assessing his economic contribution to Singapore. This aligns PR to the work pass framework implemented by Ministry of manpower. In general all things being equal this means that those on the P pass for administrator, professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, investors and specialist talent stand a higher chance of becoming PRs than those on the Q pass for skilled workers and
technicians. Semi-skilled and unskilled foreign workers on the R pass are generally not eligible for PR
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Singaporeans & Foreign Spouses
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 Alan at 97807243 or email starzest@singnet.com.sg
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Singapore Income Tax Liability for Foreigners
As long as you work in Singapore either on Work Permit or Employment Pass or Professional Visit Pass , your earnings will be taxed in Singapore unless ........ The employee is responsible to pay his or her income tax to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. Personal income tax are levied at progressive rates
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