Finding Work
4 Key Questions
#1“Is it easy to start my own business in Singapore?”
Many expats come to Singapore with a host of fresh business ideas; others discover an entrepreneurial streak once they’ve settled in. So if you do have a great business idea, how do you turn it into a real-life proposition?
First you’ll need to apply for an Entrepass through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM; mom.gov.sg). This involves writing a detailed business plan and financial projections; plus, your business needs to meet certain requirements ( see mom. gov. sg/ passesand- permits/ entrepass/ eligibility). The application fee is $ 70, and successful applicants are issued an Approval- inPrinciple letter within eight weeks.
The business must also be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA; acra.gov.sg) as a private limited company and be less than six months old on the date of application. This can be done simply online using a Singpass (apply at singpass.gov.sg).
Fees for registering a company are $15 for the name application and $ 300 to incorporate the company. The registration is usually approved within 15 minutes for online applications.
#2“How can I go about getting employed?”
If you’re accompanying your spouse or partner on a posting, one of the biggest decisions you will make is whether or not to work here.
You might decide to further your present career or perhaps to explore something new. English teachers, for example, are in perennial demand, and a short course in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) can start you on that path. Conversely, recent changes in employment laws with an emphasis on hiring local Singaporeans might mean that your skills are in less demand than they were at home.
Search firms, online sources, classifieds and expat associations can all be helpful when it comes to finding work, although many jobs are found through networking. The American Association’s Career Resource Center for Expatriates (CRCE) is particularly useful, offering advice on resumes, workshops and career counselling.
#3“What do I need to know about visas and passes when it comes to working?”
• The Fair Consideration Framework allows affirmative discrimination and employers are required to consider Singaporeans fairly before hiring Employment Pass (EP) holders. • A quota system regulates the ratio of
foreign and local workers in the workplace. • Dependant’s Pass holders are entitled to work once they have a Letter of Consent, which their employer can apply for. It’s a relatively straightforward process and applications are generally processed quickly by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). • While it’s not impossible, those on visitor passes hoping to apply for EPS may find it more of a struggle to get a job. • For a preliminary indication of the likelihood of obtaining an EP or S Pass, use the online Self-assessment Tool prior to submitting the application. • Since 2014, the MOM has placed a strong emphasis on the quality of the educational qualifications and institutions that the applicant has attended when assessing applications.
#4“Are there any helpful associations, organisations or websites?”
Women seeking a job or developing a business can meet and network at professional associations, including The Athena Network and Primetime. The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations ( SCWO) is a national coordinating body of women’s organisations and groups in Singapore that acts on their behalf.