From 1 May 2020 the minimum qualifying monthly salary for Employment Passes in Singapore will be increased to SGD 3,900, up 8.34% percent from the current amount. There are also updates to minimum salary levels for older, more experienced EP holders and for exemptions towards the job advertisement exemption. Renewal applications will only be subject to the new minimum salary…
January 17, 2020
Singapore imposes harsher penalties for employers in breach of local worker recruitment laws
After recent changes to the Fair Work Consideration Framework (FCF), from 1 January 2020 employers with foreign workers who are deemed guilty of workplace discrimination face stricter penalties and higher fines. What does this mean for companies with foreign workers? Employers making applications for Employment Pass applications are required to advertise positions paying below SGD 15,000 per month on the…
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore has implemented new educational document verification requirements for foreign nationals applying for initial and renewal Employment Passes, S Passes and Training Employment Passes. What are the requirements? Applicants with tertiary qualifications from higher education institutions not included in the MOM’s standard drop-down list must now submit proof of their educational credentials from international…
August 27, 2019
Singapore: What are ‘business visitor activities’ and do I require work authorisation?
Whether you require work authorisation in Singapore, or can simply undertake your business visitor activities on a Short Term Visit Pass will depend on your passport country and upon the activities you wish to undertake in Singapore. What are ‘business visitor activities’? Singapore immigration law details business visitor activities as the following (non-exhaustive): attending company meetings or discussions (company or…
July 12, 2019
Vaccination Requirements for Foreign-born Children Applying for Long-Term Immigration Passes to Singapore
With effect from 1 February 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Singapore has introduced diphtheria and measles vaccination requirements as a prerequisite for foreign-born children applying for long-term immigration passes to Singapore. Foreign-born children aged 12 years old and below, who are first-time applicants for Dependent's Pass (DP) or Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by the Ministry of…
The Ministry of Manpower’s 2018 Foreign Worker Experience Survey found that foreign workers (FWs) working in Singapore are generally satisfied with their working conditions. Respondents ranked Singapore as a choice work destination, and would recommend their families and friends to work there. The findings from this latest survey are consistent with the results from the last survey conducted in 2014.…
The Employment (Amendment) Bill was passed in Singapore Parliament on 20 November 2018, with changes to the Employment Act (EA) and Employment Claims Act (ECA) to take effect from 1 April 2019. The amendments to the Acts cover four key areas: Extension of core provisions of the EA to protect all employees; Extension of Part IV of the EA to…