Today most Malaysians who work overseas are based in Singapore. Located right next to Malaysia, Singapore has a relatively similar culture, stronger currency and gives Malaysians the opportunity to gain international work experience.
For those planning to work in Singapore, there are a few things you may need to know and prepare prior to securing a job across the causeway.
Finding A Job – Roadshows, Online Job Portals, Referrals
One of the ways to secure a job in Singapore is to attend recruitment roadshows in Malaysia. For example, Singapore’s The New paper reported that over 2,500 job hopefuls turned up at a roadshow in Johor Bahru, where only 300 vacancies were listed by Singaporean employers.
You don’t have to confine yourself to physical roadshows. Online job portals are an equally, if not more popular way to land a job in Singapore. Malaysian job portal Maukerja has a dedicated section for job openings in Singapore. Similarly, you can browse Singapore job portals for openings that accept foreign applicants as well.
Finding a job through referrals may also improve your chances of landing a job as the hirer would have some idea of your qualifications and ability, and may feel more confident hiring you.
Work Passes In Singapore – Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, Work Permit
Singaporean employers will typically apply for a work pass or applicable work visa with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for Malaysian employees. There are several types of work passes available in Singapore, depending on the nature of your work, job level and salary.
| Work Pass | What Is It | Requirements |
| Employment Pass (EP) | A work pass for professionals that is valid for two years for new applicants and can be renewed for three years after. |
|
| S Pass | A work pass for skilled and semi-skilled workers that is valid for the first two years and can be renewed for up to three years after. The S Pass is not available to certain occupations including masseurs, bar and lounge hostesses.
|
|
| Work Permit | For skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers in construction, marine shipyard, process and services sectors that is generally valid for two years. The Work Permit allows holders to work only for the employer for the specific job. |
|
Read Also: VDR, VP(TE) And EP: Guide To Hiring Foreign Workers For Your Company In Malaysia
Documents Required For Your Work Pass Application
Before you can start working, employers or employment agencies will need to submit an application for your work pass. It will typically take 10 days to process for EP and S Pass while Work Permits may take about one week.
You should prepare the following documents beforehand to smoothen the application process for your EP and S Pass:
- Personal particulars page of candidate’s passport.
- Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA.
- Additional documents are required for healthcare professionals, lawyers, football players, coaches and workers in the food industry.
For Work Permit applications, employers will need to submit written consent from the worker.
After issuance of the work passes, the employers need to check the notification letter to see if the workers need to register their fingerprints and photos.
If they’re required to do so, workers will need to complete the registration within one to two weeks. Employers of EP holders need to make an appointment for them to head to the Employment Pass Services Centre to complete registration in two weeks’ time.
For S Pass and Work Permit, employers need to make an appointment for the workers to complete the registration at the Ministry of Manpower Services Centre within a week’s time.
To complete the registration, candidates will need to prepare the documents below:
- Original Passport
- Appointment Letter
- Notification Letter
Within five days of registration of the fingerprints and photos, the cards will be delivered to the given address. Recipients will be notified at least one day before the card arrives.
Paying Tax As A Malaysian Working In Singapore
Similar to working in Malaysia, you need to pay income tax in Singapore to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
The tax scheme applicable to you depends on whether you are considered as a tax resident or not. A foreigner who is considered as a tax resident includes someone who has stayed or worked in Singapore:
- For a minimum of 183 days
- For three years straight
- For a continuous period of two years with a total period of stay accumulating to at least 183 days
- With a work pass that is valid for at least one year. However, your tax residency status will be reviewed at tax clearance when you stop your employment. If the period of stay is less than 183 days, you are counted as a non-tax resident.
For foreigners who are residents, you’re subject to progressive tax rates from 0% to 22% depending on your pay. The tax rates progress as the income increases so the more you earn, the higher rates will apply.
| Chargeable Income (S$) | Tax Rate (%) | Tax Payable (S$) |
| First 20,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Next 10,000 | 2 | 200 |
| First 30,000 | – | 200 |
| Next 10,000 | 3.5 | 350 |
| First 40,000 | – | 550 |
| Next 40,000 | 7 | 2,800 |
| First 80,000 | – | 3,350 |
| Next 40,000 | 11.5 | 4,600 |
| First 120,000 | – | 7,950 |
| Next 40,000 | 15 | 6,000 |
| First 160,000 | – | 13,950 |
| Next 40,000 | 18 | 7,200 |
| First 200,000 | – | 21,150 |
| Next 40,000 | 19 | 7,600 |
| First 240,000 | – | 28,750 |
| Next 40,000 | 19.5 | 7,800 |
| First 280,000 | – | 36,550 |
| Next 40,000 | 20 | 8,000 |
| First 320,000 | – | 44,550 |
| In excess 320000 | 22 |
If you are a non-resident, you will still need to pay tax on income earned in Singapore. You will either be charged at a flat rate of 15% or the progressive tax rate, whichever is higher.
Living In Singapore As An Employee
Once your work pass has been approved, you should arrange for your accommodation in Singapore. If you have an EP or S Pass, you’re eligible to rent a room in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat or the entire flat. Moreover, only Malaysian work permit holders, from the construction, marine and process sectors as well as manufacturing sector, are able to rent a room in an HDB flat or an entire HDB flat.
In general, non-Malaysian work permit holders may not be able to rent HDB flats or rooms unless stated otherwise.
Do note that your pass needs to be valid for at least six months as at the date of application from flat owners. You can only check the median rent for HDB flats in different locations here – ranging from S$2,300 for a three-room flat (with two bedrooms) to S$4,300 for a four-room flat (with three bedrooms).
Follow Us On Telegram & Instagram!
Join our Malaysia Telegram channel (@dollarsandsensemy) and follow our Malaysia Instagram Page (@dnsmalaysia) as we bring you the latest finance content in Malaysia!
Savings & Spending
How Much Do You Need To Retire In Malaysia Compared To Other Countries?
