Moving to Singapore

Singapore is a multicultural city, with a hot climate and great public transportation. It is known for being advanced and progressive, as well as friendly and clean. English is the most common language spoken, and most of the world’s major banks are established there.

Visas in Singapore:

Work Visas in Singapore:

Singapore is known for having a policy of attracting foreign talent, especially skilled workers, professionals and entrepreneurs. There are various established industries, such as in finance and medicine.

Foreigners who wish to obtain a one-year visa may apply for the e-VP from the Ministry of Manpower. You must have a local sponsor at least 21 years old, and from a Singapore-registered company. Your sponsor may have to show up for an interview.

You must submit these documents to the Visitor Services Center:

Form 14, completed by the applicant and a local sponsor
Form V39I, signed by local sponsor
Your highest educational certificate
Travel document (i.e. passport)
Disembarkation/Embarkation Card
One recent passport photo (that must be within three months, in color with a white background, and with no headgear)

The process takes about four weeks. For more information, visit the Ministry of Manpower.

There is also the Employment Pass, meant for Professionals and Executives. There are different Pass Types, depending on your fixed monthly salary. There are certain jobs that are in high demand in Singapore on the Strategic Skills List, such as Chemists, Process Engineers, Private Bankers and Geologists.

For other types of work passes, click here.

Student Visa:

Foreign students must apply for the Student Pass, and are usually not allowed to work. Those who have a Dependent’s Pass do not have to go through this process.

Student Passes are different, and have different requirements and procedures, depending on what kind of school you wish to study at, whether it is an Institute of Technical Education or a Polytechnic/University.

As an example of the procedure, there is the University application.

To apply for a Pass for a University, you must apply to SOLAR online, and submit:

Your name, birthday, gender and nationality
Course details and commencement dates
SOLAR application reference number

Once you register, you must then submit:

Your registration acknowledgement notice and login information to SOLAR
Travel document
Information about your parents, if they reside in Singapore
Singapore’s address and contact details
Your email address
One recent passport sized photograph

This process takes three days for students who do not need a visa, and ten days for students that do need a visa. The Student’s Pass will not be issued more than one month before the school course takes place.

For the completion of formalities, students are required to furnish these documents:

Passport
Embarkment/Disembarkment Card
One recent passport photo
The printout of the eForm 16 from SOLAR
Copy of the in-principle approval letter
Medical report (done in the last three months)

For more details, and information about fees and renewal, click here.

For more information about the different schools, and admissions factors, click here.

For official information, visit the Ministry of Education.

Moving Pets to Singapore:

To move your cat or dog to Singapore, you must put them in quarantine. It is advised that you book a spot two months in advance, because they are usually very busy. Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, rabies and parvovirus. Cats must be vaccinated against Cat Flu and Cat Enteritis. These animals must remain in quarantine for at least 30 days. For more details, click here.

Other Information:

Those who are thinking of relocating to Singapore must be wary of the strict laws on certain practices, such as smoking, chewing gum and spitting in public. Because of the multicultural background of the city, make sure to research the different customs of the various groups and familiarize yourself with particular values, such as removing your shoes before entering an Indian home.

For more details about manners, and advice about business practices, click here.

For information about a Dependent Pass, click here.