Immigration
Entry Requirements
You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended stay in Singapore. You do not need a visa for tourist or business visits of up to 90 days. You will be issued upon your arrival a Social Pass good for a 30-day stay in Singapore. The Social Pass may be extended online for 60 more days.
Further information on visas can be found at the U.S. Department of State.
Temporary Residency
No visa is required to enter Singapore for business or social visit purposes, but you will be issued a Social Visit Pass upon entry. This pass does not allow you to be employed in Singapore, although customary business-visitor activities such as job interviews and negotiating contracts are allowed under this permit.
For Social Visit Pass extensions, please visit the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Services website.
For additional information concerning entry requirements for Singapore, please visit this Embassy of Singapore webpage.
Permanent Residency
You are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency in Singapore if:
- You are the spouse or unmarried children (below 21 years old) of a Singapore Citizen (SC) or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)
- You are the aged parents of a Singapore Citizen
- You hold a P, Q or S Work Pass
- You qualify as an Investor or Entrepreneur
Foreign investors with substantial capital and good entrepreneurial track records may apply for Permanent Residency under the Global Investor Programme.
Permanent Residency visa details can be found on this Embassy of Singapore webpage.
Work Permits
There are several classifications of Work Permits that you may qualify for:
- Personalized Employment Pass (PEP). This pass is for professional workers who wish to stay in Singapore for employment opportunities and is based on qualifications (merit). It is not dependent on having a job or offer and is good for up to six months.
- Employment Pass (EP). For Professional/Managerial and Specialists, this pass requires that you have a local sponsor (employer). Passes are assigned by level of position and minimum salary. There are three passes: P1, P2 and Q1.
- S Pass. This pass is for mid-level skilled workers (e.g. technicians). Applicants will be assessed on a points system that factors education, qualifications, experience and job type. The job must have a minimum monthly salary of S$2,000. The Strategic Skills List will show you what types of jobs are expected to be in high demand in Singapore over the next few years.
- Training Employment Pass (TEP). This pass is for those doing practical training for professional, executive or specialist jobs in Singapore.
You may also receive a Work Permit in Singapore as an entrepreneur or investor.
- Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass). For entrepreneurs and those who wish to start and operate a business, this pass is good for up to two years and renewable as long as the business is viable.
- Global Investor Programme (GIP). This pass is structured for an investor applicant.
Retirement
There is no specific immigration plan for retirement in Singapore. However, the Long Term Visit Pass may be a suitable option. You are eligible to apply for a Long Term Visit Pass, which is renewable for up to five years, if the following criteria are met:
- You are age 45 or older
- You own a property / properties in Singapore worth at least S$500,000 (in total) for residential purposes and meet any one of the following financial requirements:
- Savings of at least S$400,000 in any form of financial instruments based in Singapore
- Evidence of a monthly local income of at least S$7,000
- Combined savings and five-year equivalent income of at least S$400,000
- You are in good health
- You have valid medical Insurance in Singapore
No Comments