4 Types of Post-Study Work Visa in Singapore

Every student has one goal after they finish their education and that is to be able to work in their desired job. While most will look for opportunities in their own countries, a lot of these students are dreaming of working overseas. One of the countries that they aim for is Singapore. That is because not only Singapore has a rich and resilient economy. It is also one of the safest countries in the world. With that and the many opportunities it offers, it is no wonder why many foreign students apply for a work visa in Singapore after they graduate.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower is the authorized body that regulates the issuance of work passes for foreigners. They are the ones who set the rules and regulations for accepting foreign workers into the country. For foreign fresh graduates, there are several work pass options that they can try to apply for. One of them is the employment pass Singapore visa. However, for you to be able to select the right work visa for you, you need to learn what each pass will get you. To inform you, here are 4 types of post-study employment visas for you.

#1 – Long-term Social Visit Pass

The Long-Term Social Visit Pass is a visa in Singapore that is meant for those who wish to stay in Singapore for a year. However, those that hold this pass are not permitted to work, unlike the employment pass Singapore scheme. They can work, only if their employer applied for the Letter of Consent on their behalf. Usually, this is given to foreign students who are seeking employment in Singapore. This pass allows them to physically look for jobs in Singapore and analyze their options well.

To be eligible for the Long-Term Social Visit Pass, an applicant must be an international student of one of the listed higher learning institutions in Singapore. You can find the list on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority website. If the school is not listed on the said website, you will not be eligible to apply for the Long-Term Social Visit Pass.

However, keep in mind that this pass is only valid for a year and is not renewable. Thus, it is important that the holder must get a job in Singapore and apply for a work visa before the Visit Pass expires. Once the applicant gets approved for the E Pass or the S Pass, the Visit Pass will lose validity. As a result, the foreign worker will be able to start formal employment in Singapore. 

#2 – Employment Pass Singapore visa

The next option you can apply for is the employment pass Singapore scheme. This is a professional work visa meant for foreigners that graduated from accredited higher learning institutions. It can be in Singapore or any other high-level institutions abroad. However, the employment pass Singapore application can be very stringent since a lot of foreigners are competing to get this type of work visa. Thus, the E Pass candidate should be someone that has an impressive educational background and even has some relevant work experience in the field of the job he or she is applying for.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Manpower has increased the salary limit for the E Pass. Now, to be eligible for it, you need to have a job in Singapore that will give you a salary of SG$4,500. Furthermore, a lot more factors are weighed in before you get approval. Aside from the applicant, the hiring company or employer in Singapore will also be scrutinized by the Ministry of Manpower. Even though the applicant passes the eligibility criteria but the employer didn’t meet the conditions of the E Pass, the E Pass application will still be disapproved. That is why there is a great chance that you won’t be approved for the E Pass.

However, you shouldn’t be discouraged from applying for the E Pass. If your educational background isn’t significant enough, you can work in your home country to gain the necessary experience that you need. This is extremely helpful since relevant work experience can cover up the lacking in the education aspect of the application. If the employer is the problem, find another employer that will help you become eligible for the E Pass. This way you will be able to get an E Pass through the Ministry of Manpower.

#3 – S Pass work visa

The next work visa that you can apply for is the S Pass. This pass is a lot less stringent than the employment pass Singapore visa. That is because it has a lower salary limit. One can be eligible for the S Pass if they get a job that will pay them at least SG$2,400 a month. Although this work visa is meant for middle-skilled workers, inexperienced professionals can also apply for this.

However, keep in mind that this pass is subjected to levies and quotas. This means that your employer has to pay a levy to be able to keep you employed in the company. Moreover, they must not exceed the quota for S Pass Singapore workers. If they do, they will either hire more local employees or remove foreign employees. All of these are factored in when the Ministry of Manpower reviews the S Pass applications. Thus, as the applicant, you should make sure that you will be eligible for the S Pass by self-examining if you meet the eligibility criteria.

#4 – EntrePass

The last pass that a post-study work visa applicant can get is the EntrePass. The EntrePass is one of the professional employment visas along with the employment pass Singapore visa and the personalised employment pass. It is meant for graduates who want to start a business in Singapore. This is possible even for fresh graduates since they only need SG$1 as their paid-capital to get their business registered in Singapore. Furthermore, the application is relatively easy and can be completed within an hour if all documents needed are prepared beforehand.

To be able to get an EntrePass, one must register a business at ACRA first. Furthermore, the foreigner must meet certain criteria to get approved for the EntrePass. The further conditions of the EntrePass can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Manpower. Although this pass is only valid for 2 years, it is renewable and makes the holder eligible for Singapore permanent residency. Thus, if you want to start a business in Singapore after you graduate college, you will need to ensure that you are eligible for the EntrePass.

These work passes are meant for foreigners that want to work in Singapore and even start their own businesses. As a graduating student that wishes to work in Singapore, you need to learn more about these employment visas. One of the best things you can do is consult with work visa specialists like those from Ren Ai Group. They know how to apply for these employment visas and can ensure that you will get approved for the work visa you want to get. If you have questions and clarifications regarding the work visa, they can answer you in a timely manner and with expert understanding. Get in touch with them now!