Working in Singapore

Demand for skilled professionals overseas is high. As a result, more and more people are travelling abroad for work.

Witan Jardine’s International service will help you to take advantage of these opportunities. Our team works with professionals who are relocating to Singapore or returning home, advising them on the latest opportunities and market trends.

We have access to hundreds of Accounting & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Operations and Sales & Marketing roles.

Positions are available at all levels and in permanent, contract, interim or temporary positions, giving you the flexibility to find the right type of work for you.

If this is your first visit to Singapore, this area of our website will help you to find your way around the country and each capital city to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one, updating you on the vital information regarding tax, health, visas and accommodation.

For any other queries you have about Singapore, and to find out how we will assist you in finding employment, contact our International Team by email at: international@witanjardine.co.uk or call on +44 (020) 7430 7240.


Click on the links below to view more detailed information.

Applying for a Visa – guidance on work permits and visas

Money Matters - tax issues

Money Matters - opening a bank account

Documentation to take with you

Keeping Healthy – healthcare and dentists

Where to Stay - finding the right accommodation

Out and About – information on transport and where to go

Useful Information – holidays and contact numbers.



Applying for a Visa – guidance on work permits and visas

In order to work within Singapore you need to hold a valid work permit or Employment Pass. There are three categories of Employment Pass: P1, P2 and Q Pass. The P Pass is for foreigners seeking professional, managerial or executive and specialist jobs.

P1 Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$7,000

P2 Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$3,500 and up to $7,000 and he/she possesses recognised qualifications

Q Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$2,500 and he/she possesses recognised qualifications

When you have decided to work in Singapore, you should check with the Singapore High Commission in London. If your new employer is sponsoring you for a work visa (this is quite common) then they should provide you with all the necessary documentation and assistance you will require.

Singapore High Commission in London

Post – 9 Wilton Crescent, London SW1X 8SP

Phone – +44 (020) 7235 8315 between 10am – 12pm and 2pm - 4pm on weekdays 44-(20) 7235-8315

44-(2 7235-8315

Website – www.mfa.gov.sg/london

www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/work_pass/employment_pass.html

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore has also introduced the Work Holiday Programme which is open to undergraduates and graduates, between 17 and 30, from universities and equivalent institutions in the UK and other 7 locations. The Work Holiday Pass is valid for six months and the holders are allowed to work and are not restricted to specific types of employment.

MOM will accept applicants from the universities or equivalent institutions listed on www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees/index.cfm?fuseaction=institutes.list

For details on the Working Holiday Programme, please click to www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/work_pass/other_passes/work_holiday_programme.html

Click here for our guide to Visas and Work Permits.

Money Matters - tax issues

As a foreigner working in Singapore, you will be liable to tax in Singapore on all income accrued in, or derived from Singapore. The extent of your tax liability will depend on your tax residency status (i.e. non-resident individual – if you are in Singapore for less than 183 days or tax resident individual at 15% tax rate – if you are in Singapore for more than 183 days). For details, please visit the website of Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) www.iras.gov.sg

You need to complete and submit your Individual Tax Return Form M for non-resident individual or Form B1 for tax resident individual to report your income. Provisional Tax for a year is usually based on the employment income earned less the deductibles of expenses, personal relief, and donations in the Year of Assessment which runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec.

If you intend to leave Singapore, your employer should complete Form IR21 and notify the IRAS at least one month before your date of cessation of employment. Your employer will withhold all monies due to you from the date of notification of cessation of employment. Monies to be withheld include salary, bonus, overtime pay, leave pay, allowances, gratuities, lump sum payments, etc. Your employer shall remit the payment immediately to IRAS upon receiving IRAS clearance directive and release the balance of monies, if any, to you.

Apart from Individual Income Tax, there is 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Singapore.

To find out more about the Singapore tax system and download the forms, visit www.iras.gov.sg or call on the Hotline on 1800 356 8300 from 8am to 5pm weekdays or from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays,

Money Matters - opening a bank account

Whilst you are working in Singapore, you will need to have a bank account set up in your name or your Limited Company name to ensure you receive your monthly earnings. Opening a bank account is reasonably straightforward. Most banks will have an account operating for you within the same day, and have a minimum initial deposit. To open a bank account, you must apply in person at the bank. You will be required to provide the following information:

• Passport
• Employment pass (validity period of 6 months)
• Proof of local residence (telephone bill, electricity bill, or bank statement showing name and address)

As a precaution a reference from your bank in your home country will always provide solid evidence of your banking history.

Most banks and ATM’s (automatic teller machines) recognise international bankcards provided they have an international symbol on it, such as Cirrus/Plus or Visa/Mastercard which will allow you to readily access your accounts and funds in most locations. We advise that you check with your bank that you have access to international and Internet banking processes before your departure.

There are several major banking institutions in Singapore to choose from for financial requirements. These include

ABN AMRO www.abnamro.com.sg

DBS www.dbs.com.sg

HSBC www.hsbc.com.sg

OCBC www.ocbc.com.sg

Standard Chartered www.standardchartered.com.sg

UOB www.uob.com.sg

Citibank www.citibank.com.sg

Documentation to take with you

Your first few days in Singapore are more likely to be easy and problem-free if you arrive with the following documents: (all documents should be originals - not copies)

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Academic qualifications
• References from previous employers
• Up to date curriculum vitae
• Credit references
• An international drivers licence or permit

Singapore money in mixed denominations (5, 10, 20, 50 cents and $1 coins; $2, $5, $10, $50 and $100 notes; $1000 and $10,000 notes are rarely used), as traveller's cheques may not be accepted for small purchases.

Healthcare

Most companies in Singapore will offer employees a medical insurance scheme, which will usually more than cover your basic requirements. The Ministry of Health is a good place to start for all healthcare enquiries. www.moh.gov.sg

Dentists

If you require a dentist whilst working in Singapore you will need to pay for treatment unless your healthcare scheme happens to cover it. You do not need to register with a dentist until you need dental care. You can search dentists’ details at the website of the Singapore Dental Association via www.sda.org.sg

Your best option is to ask for a recommended dentist at any established health organisation.

Where to Stay - finding the right accommodation

Finding accommodation when you first come to live in Singapore can be a job in itself. When you arrive, it is a good idea initially to rent a flat somewhere central while you decide where you want to live on a longer term basis. Prices and quality vary, so it is advisable to take some time to become familiar with the district you will be living in, and discover the types of flats Singapore has to offer and what they cost. If you have friends or contacts in Singapore they can provide you with valuable information on which location and facilities might be best suited to you and your budget. If you are being sponsored by your new employer they may provide some assistance with this for you.

Real estate agencies are also a good source for finding accommodation. Like in the UK, there is a strong demand for properties so you must move quickly and have a deposit and references ready to secure a place. You usually require 2 months rental deposit and will need to pay for Stamp Duty (for making the tenancy agreement legally valid) and an administrative fee. The Real Estate agent’s fee can vary from 2 weeks rent to a full month’s rent. However, usually for monthly rent at S$3,000 and above, you (as a tenant) do not pay anything to the agent. This should be stated before viewings are conducted.

Newspapers and real estate agencies will publish lists of available accommodation within most districts. All you need to do is decide where you want to live and how much you want to spend!

Useful websites include:

www.expatsingapore.com

www.singaporeexpat.com

www.sg-house.com

Singapore.asiaxpat.com

www.entersingapore.com

www.singaporeland.com.sg

Here are some questions you may want to ask a potential landlord to save you some unnecessary stress:

• To avoid any confusion at a later date, ask the landlord what bills are included in the cost of the rent and what will be extra
• Find out exactly how much the landlord is charging per month and ask if it covers the building’s management fees
• Find out if the property is furnished or unfurnished

Note – rental contracts are usually 2 year locked-in with 1 year renewal option agreements. However, there should be a ‘diplomatic clause’ in the agreement which allows you to break the contract (after a minimum stay of 12 months, with 2 months’ notice without forfeiting the 2 months deposit), should you move overseas because your company transfers you, emergency, etc.

You can get shorter term lets and more lenient contract terms, but they are less common.

Out and About - information on transport and where to go

By Car

If you are holding an Employment Pass or Work Permit, you are required to convert your foreign diving licence to a Singapore driving licence as soon as possible within 6 months from date you arrive in Singapore. For details, please visit Singapore Police Force website.

http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/Driving_in_Singapore/Information/drivinglicence/conversion.htm

For car hire, Avis, Hertz and Thrifty all have offices in Singapore. For more information please visit:

www.avis.com

www.hertz.com.sg

www.thrifty.rentals.com.sg

Trains/Buses/Taxis

The Singapore public transport system is efficient with trains, buses and taxis readily available to take you to all destinations. For further information on specific transport times and destinations, please contact:

Train:
www.smrt.com.sg

Bus:
www.sbstransit.com.sg

www.smrtbuses.com.sg

Taxi:

There are a number of commercial taxi companies that operate within Singapore. Taxis can be booked in advance or hired from taxi ranks and often provide the most effective form of transport, but usually also the most expensive. The initial taxi flag-down fare is S$2.80 (plus relevant surcharges – which can add up! - during peak periods) and thereafter, you are charged for the distance you travel so watch the meter!

Useful information

Useful Telephone Numbers

All of these numbers are available to contact in Singapore toll free 24hrs day.

Emergency Services – 999 (Police), 995 (Fire/Ambulance)
Directory Inquiries Hotline – 100 (local), 104 (international)
Yellow Pages - 1900 7-777-777

Public Holidays in 2008

There are a number of fixed Singapore Public Holidays that might be worthwhile noting. They include:

1 January - New Year’s Day
7 February - Chinese New Year
8 February - Chinese New Year
21 March - Good Friday
1 May - Labour Day
19 May - Vesak Day
9 August - National Day
1 October - Hari Raya Puasa
28 October - Deepavali
8 December – Hari Raya Haji
25 December - Christmas Day