Confusion about first entry to Singapore

[nafan]

Hello all

I'm looking for consulting (IT) work in Singapore. I am not a Singaporean and I don't hold a work pass.

Most jobs I see are advertised through the jobs bank. Yet I can't even apply for those if I don't already have a SingPass. And I can't get a SingPass unless I already work in Singapore.

What am I missing? This seems like a total dead end?

Na Fan

[luckycricket]

Hello all

I'm looking for consulting (IT) work in Singapore. I am not a Singaporean and I don't hold a work pass.

Most jobs I see are advertised through the jobs bank. Yet I can't even apply for those if I don't already have a SingPass. And I can't get a SingPass unless I already work in Singapore.

What am I missing? This seems like a total dead end?

Na Fan

Jobs bank is not for you. Check the openings on other job websites or on company websites. Jobs bank is for Singaporeans and Singapore PRs only. And yes .. you will find almost all openings listed there because companies can't apply for EP or S-pass unless they advertise that opening on jobs bank for at least 2 weeks.

[nafan]

Thanks for clarifying that. So I indeed hadn't missed anything

[Strong Eagle]

You won't be able to do "consulting work". You will either hire on as an employee and the company will get an S-Pass or employment pass for you, or you will have your own Singapore legal entity established so that a company can engage you as an independent contractor.

You cannot simply do part time consulting into a company as a foreigner.

[nafan]

The way this usually works is that there are agents who act as the intermediary between the consultant and the corporations. They effectively do the invoicing for you and deal with the service-receiving client.

Surely many of the jobs listed are from agents here, too - and not from companies directly?

[Strong Eagle]

The way this usually works is that there are agents who act as the intermediary between the consultant and the corporations. They effectively do the invoicing for you and deal with the service-receiving client.

Surely many of the jobs listed are from agents here, too - and not from companies directly?

So... you're talking about getting hired by a third party body shop who will then rent you out to other Singapore firms, yes? You're still going to need a work permit, only this time it is the body shop company that applies for it.

And, employment passes (EP or S-Pass) are getting harder to get because the gahmen is cracking down on third party consultants.

If you do go this route, you still have to meet education, experience, and salary requirements in order to get a pass.