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Australian Freelancer in Singapore.

Posted: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 9:29 am
by misscecille
Thank you Strong Eagle for your wonderful post on Starting a Business in Singapore and the Entrepass. I apologise if I have overlooked a solution to my question while browsing the forums.

I am a Web Developer currently looking for a full time job in Singapore. I am presently on a LTVP visa, so would need an EP once finding a job.

I have my own freelance web design / development business in Australia. Is it legal for me to freelance under my Australian business while situated in Singapore, while I am looking for an opportunity here? I am having a lot of trouble finding information on this - both from Australian and Singaporean websites. Many Thanks for your assistance.

Re: Australian Freelancer in Singapore.

Posted: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 1:33 am
by ksl
misscecille wrote:Thank you Strong Eagle for your wonderful post on Starting a Business in Singapore and the Entrepass. I apologise if I have overlooked a solution to my question while browsing the forums.

I am a Web Developer currently looking for a full time job in Singapore. I am presently on a LTVP visa, so would need an EP once finding a job.

I have my own freelance web design / development business in Australia. Is it legal for me to freelance under my Australian business while situated in Singapore, while I am looking for an opportunity here? I am having a lot of trouble finding information on this - both from Australian and Singaporean websites. Many Thanks for your assistance.
Theoretically speaking you are breaking the law, while on LTVP, although i know many that have done the same, it is quite easy to understand because it states the rules under the LTVP, while you are in Singapore.

Singapore doesn't appear to have any laws with reference to freelance work, and when i asked MOM, because i was freelancing outside of Singapore, they wasn't too concerned, but when revenue is turned over in Singapore it's a different matter, because it effects Singaporeans here with the same job skills and in this climate, I presume they will say no way.

Only one real way to find the answer and that is to ask MOM.

Posted: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:32 am
by misscecille
Thank you for that info, that is great. Thought I had better check it out before I did any freelance work here and glad I did!

Seems like the only way to go about it would be to set up a new business here in Singapore on the appropriate Visa. Cheers.

Re: Australian Freelancer in Singapore.

Posted: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 8:52 am
by Strong Eagle
misscecille wrote:Thank you Strong Eagle for your wonderful post on Starting a Business in Singapore and the Entrepass. I apologise if I have overlooked a solution to my question while browsing the forums.

I am a Web Developer currently looking for a full time job in Singapore. I am presently on a LTVP visa, so would need an EP once finding a job.

I have my own freelance web design / development business in Australia. Is it legal for me to freelance under my Australian business while situated in Singapore, while I am looking for an opportunity here? I am having a lot of trouble finding information on this - both from Australian and Singaporean websites. Many Thanks for your assistance.
Here is the way I see it. The restriction against working on a LTSVP applies to getting job in Singapore. On the other hand, another mod, SMS, has learned first hand that no company registration is required for a DP if all business is transacted outside of Singapore... that is, you provide your service outside of Singapore and you receive your money outside of Singapore.

I can see no reason why you cannot freelance as long as the above conditions are met. Consider this: What if you owned property in Australia and rented it out? You collect the rents in Australia, you maintain the property in Australia, and you pay Australian taxes; you have no liability to Singapore, no need to register, no need to file. Same with your type of freelance business.

However, if you do have a going concern, you might want to consider making it a Singapore registered business.

a) I don't know how it is you have a LTSVP but it is tied to someone else's pass. Your own Entrepass cures this problem.

b) Tax rates are much lower here than Oz... and while it is possible to run afoul of Oz laws I do believe that if you are wholly outside the country you do not have tax liability to (Oz) - warning: I am not a lawyer and this is complicated poo.

c) If you have a going concern the Singapore authorities seem pretty willing to take a chance on you.