Why Do You Want to Find a Job in Singapore? Singapore’s job market is highly competitive for both locals and foreigners because it is such a great place to live and work. Significant layoffs have made it increasingly difficult to find work in Singapore. Many Singaporean businesses and positions have been fundamentally reshaped as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Despite recent events, there are still plenty of job opportunities for foreigners in Singapore. However, the majority of these positions will necessitate a specific set of skills. Typically, you’ll need a technical background in a high-demand field or sought-after experience.
Because Singaporeans are already well-educated and highly skilled, the job market is highly competitive. For a Singaporean company to hire you and jump through the hoops to obtain a work visa for you, you must stand out from the local talent pool.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) imposed new regulations on visa requirements and foreign employee quotas this year. The new regulations give citizens even more preferential treatment in order to ensure that they get the first crack at jobs in a sputtering economy.
Also Read: 6 Steps to Get a Job in Singapore
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Foreigners can find work in Singapore if they know the right people and take the right approach. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about getting a job in Singapore as a foreigner.
Is it Easy to Get a Job in Singapore?
Singapore has a strong economy, thanks in large part to its workforce. Prior to the pandemic, the MOM reported significant job growth as employment recovered from 2014 lows. Singapore added over 63,000 jobs in 2019 and experienced record levels of employment.
Of course, the pandemic slowed things down everywhere, including Singapore. The majority of job losses in 2020 will be in non-professional, trade-based industries such as wholesale, manufacturing, and financial services.
These sectors are expected to recover quickly due to Singapore’s position in international trade. Nonetheless, the future of these positions is uncertain. As a result, foreigners will find it difficult to break into those industries.
If you are a foreigner with more in-demand skill sets, your employment prospects are better. AI specialists, data scientists, software engineers, and cybersecurity experts are in high demand. As Singapore’s population ages, there will be greater demand for healthcare professionals.
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Moving forward, positions in technology and healthcare provide excellent long-term job security. If you are a highly qualified foreigner looking for work in one of these sectors, you will have the best chance of finding work in Singapore.
Visas for Foreign Workers
A foreign work visa is one of the most significant barriers to hiring foreign workers. The MOM issues these permits after a job offer is made. They take a significant amount of time, money, and effort to secure. To work legally in Singapore, you must have an Employment Pass (EP), EntrePass, or S Pass.
MOM made it more difficult for businesses to apply for work visas this year by raising the income requirements. This was done to encourage hiring Singaporeans for open positions rather than bringing in new talent as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
If you are hired as a foreigner for a new position, your employer will sponsor and apply for a work visa before you can come to Singapore. MOM raised the minimum qualifying salary for both the Employment Pass and the Work Permit during the first half of 2020. This is applicable to qualified foreign professionals, managers, and executives.
Employment Pass (EP) Requirements Have Changed
The rules for a new Employment Pass became stricter on September 1, 2020. Young applicants must be paid more than $4,500 per month. Older applicants, typically in their 40s and above, must earn $9,000 per month. Foreigners with an EP will be subject to these new requirements if they renew their permit after May 1, 2021.
A young applicant must earn at least $5,000 per month to work in the financial services industry. While experienced individuals must earn more than $10,000 per month. Applicants will, of course, be required to present credentials from accredited institutions.
There is one more requirement to encourage Singaporean businesses to hire Singaporeans. Employers must advertise the position on MyCareersFuture for at least 28 days and fairly consider all applicants before applying for an EP on behalf of a foreign employee. The only exceptions to this policy are if the monthly income will exceed $20,000 or if publicly listing the job may pose a security risk.
S Pass Requirements Have Changed
The MOM will also make some changes for S Pass applicants. Companies will only be allowed to employ foreigners as 10% of their workforce beginning January 1, 2021. This is a decrease from the current rate of 13%. The number of foreigners in a company’s workforce must not exceed 18% in the construction, marine shipyard, and process fields. Companies are only permitted to hire 15% of their workforce from outside Singapore beginning in 2023.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Work Visas in the United Kingdom
The S Pass will also be subject to new income requirements. Young applicants must earn $100 more than they did previously, with a minimum of $2,500. The pay of experienced candidates will also be adjusted accordingly.
What about the EntrePass Visa?
Companies that want you as an employee will not help you obtain an EntrePass visa. Rather, they are granted to entrepreneurs for a year and can be renewed for another two years. To obtain your EntrePass, you must be an entrepreneur, innovator, or investor who has started or plans to start a private limited company in Singapore. EntrePass applicants are not required to be hired or sponsored by a Singaporean company.
What is the best way for a foreigner to find work in Singapore?
Because the job market is so competitive, it may take some ingenuity to distinguish yourself as a foreigner entering the local labor market. It’s not enough to simply be good at what you do. These new regulations, which tighten the rules governing foreign workers, require you to be better than qualified Singaporeans at what you do. When reviewing your application, the MOM must agree that you are exceptional.
There are a few popular strategies you can use to find work as a foreigner in Singapore. Many people attempt several at once in order to increase their chances of landing a coveted spot in Singapore.
These are some of the best ways for a foreigner to find work in Singapore.
- Establishing contacts
Networking is essential for getting hired as a foreigner in Singapore. It is critical to know who you know and who knows about you. If you’re looking for work in Singapore, it’s a good idea to spend some time there networking with influential people. Connect with people, both Singaporeans and those from other countries, during your visits. LinkedIn can be a great tool for staying in touch with people you meet and nurturing business relationships.
If you’re not specialized or have skills in a high-demand industry, tapping into this network becomes critical. It can also be useful if you’re looking for a specific job.
- Internal Transfers within the Organization
Consider an internal company transfer as one of the best ways to get a job in Singapore as an established professional. If you receive internal approval to work for your company in Singapore, it will be easier to move forward with the process. Begin your career at a Singapore-based company. Proving your worth in another country will make the entire transfer process go more smoothly.
How do you get a job as a foreigner in Singapore?
Take a look at this post to get a sense of what you’ll be up against when looking for work in Singapore. Before you start looking for work in Singapore, check with the MOM to see if you qualify for a work visa. If you pass the initial screening, you can start looking for work in Singapore. It’s best to choose a thriving industry with a high demand for highly skilled workers, such as technology or finance.
As you look for work in Singapore, networking can be beneficial. Otherwise, think about in-house recruitment or hiring agencies with connections in Singapore. Once you’ve received a competitive offer from a Singaporean company, you’ll need to apply for your work visa. Once that is approved, you can begin the relocation process and begin working!
Is it possible to apply for a work visa in Singapore before I find a job?
No, you must apply for a work visa after being offered a job in Singapore by a company. Before you begin job hunting, review MOM’s eligibility criteria to get a good idea of what they’re looking for and whether you’ll be approved for a work visa. Ideally, you’ll have extensive work experience or a much-needed specialization in a cutting-edge field, as well as a well-qualified degree from an accredited institution.
If you intend to work for a Singaporean company, you must apply for an EP or an S Pass. Once you’ve been hired by a company, make sure your earnings exceed the recently increased salary minimums and that you bring an impressive CV for the MOM to review.
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Following the receipt of your job offer, the company for which you will work will apply for the appropriate work visa on your behalf. When you’ve been approved, you can travel to Singapore to begin working. To stay in compliance with the MOM, expect to renew your visa every few years.
What is the average time it takes to find a job in Singapore?
That is dependent on how well you are suited for current job openings in Singapore. If you’re entering a field with high demand and a specialized skill set that Singapore companies want, the hiring process will be quick. Work visa approval from the MOM and the time it takes to relocate to Singapore are significant impediments that may take time. Internal transfers within a company may take less time.
If you lack substantial work experience or a specialized skill set, your job search may take longer, and the MOM may refuse to grant you a work visa. Without these distinctions, it will be difficult to distinguish yourself from suitable local hires.
Job portals, such as the ones mentioned above, are frequently updated with new job postings. Because human resources departments are streamlining the interview process, you can expect the hiring process to move quickly if a company cannot find a qualified citizen to do the job that you’ll be doing.
Conclusion about How to Find a Job in Singapore
Singapore’s job market is competitive, attracting people from all over the world. Citizens are highly qualified, skilled, and hardworking, so breaking into this market as a foreigner can be difficult unless you’re in a rapidly developing field like technology.
The work visa application process in Singapore can be complicated, costly, and time-consuming. Even if you are perfectly qualified for a job in Singapore and the company hires you, the MOM requires you to clear several hurdles before moving to Singapore and working. Companies can’t hire as many foreigners as they used to because of new quotas and visa restrictions.
Check out local job boards like Careercartz.com to see what’s available. Though it may take a significant amount of time and effort to secure a job offer in Singapore, it will be well worth it in the long run.
Finally, your ability to find a job for foreigners in Singapore is determined by your skills, specialization, and credentials. All of these factors influence your marketability as a candidate for a job in Singapore as a foreigner.
We wish you luck as you begin the difficult task of finding a job in Singapore as a foreigner!
And there you have it – a guide to finding work in Singapore. We hope this article has given you a wealth of information on how to find work in Singapore!
If you want to look for other positions, go to Careercartz.com to easily find a job opportunity in Singapore!
Careercartz.com is a worldwide recruitment platform and job site. You’ll find a wide range of job openings on our website. Check out this page for career resources to help you along the way!
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