IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Singaporean government has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to the country.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 13, individuals who are traveling to Singapore no longer face COVID-related entry requirements.
  • Singaporean authorities no longer require travelers to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificates when entering the country or test for COVID-19 before or after arrival.
  • Visitors no longer need to show proof of a negative predeparture COVID-19 test or purchase COVID-19 travel insurance before traveling to the country.

Additional Information: Singaporean authorities continue to screen travelers for other infectious diseases of concern, such as Yellow Fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Ebola. More information regarding the Singapore’s decision to lift COVID-19 entry requirements is available here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Singaporean government requires returning Singaporean nationals and residents to submit information on the SG Arrival Card system before entering the country.

Key Points:

  • All travelers, including Singaporean nationals and residents, are required to submit a health declaration through the SG Arrival Card system before arrival, except:
    • Travelers transiting through the country.
    • Residents entering through land checkpoints.
  • Travelers at risk of yellow fever infection and who do not have a valid vaccination certificate may have to quarantine upon arrival.
  • More information regarding the SG Arrival Card system is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Singaporean government expanded the health declaration requirement to prevent the spread of various diseases and safeguard the country against COVID-19. Travelers are reminded to complete the health declaration before arrival to avoid delays or complications when entering the country.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Singaporean government requires employers to submit turnover information in the Employment Pass Online portal to be able to submit new work pass applications.

Key Points:

  • Employers must update their annual turnover information in their EPOL to submit new work passes.
  • Prior to January 2022, employers were permitted to mark the past year’s turnover information as $0 or “unavailable”; Singaporean authorities are now rejecting applications that have not provided accurate turnover information.
  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, employers should provide their turnover information for the 2022 fiscal year as soon as possible to avoid work permit application processing delays.
  • Employers whose financials for the 2022 fiscal year are not available can mark it as unavailable and provide the turnover information once it is available.
  • Turnover information can be submitted through this website.

BAL Analysis: Employers are advised to update their turnover information as soon as it is available to avoid work permit application rejections and processing delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Singaporean government recently announced that it will accept applications for temporary increases in work pass quotas through the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities scheme.

Key Points:

  • Eligible companies can obtain additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas of up to 5% above their base workforce headcount, subject to a cap of 50 workers per company. To be eligible, companies must:
    • Participate in programs that support Singapore’s key economic priorities, including investments that support the country’s hub strategy, innovation or research and development, or internationalization.
    • Commit to hiring and training locals.
  • The increased work pass quota flexibility will last for two years upon enrollment and can be renewed thereafter, subject to meeting renewal conditions.
  • More information regarding the temporary increase in work pass quotas is available here.

BAL Analysis: The M-SEP scheme signals Singapore’s commitment to promote economic growth and create more jobs for Singaporeans and foreign nationals alike. Eligible companies benefit from additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas and will allow them to access a larger labor market.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Singaporean government will introduce the Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) pass in January 2023.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, eligible foreign nationals will be able to apply for a five-year, renewable ONE pass to start and work for multiple companies at any point while living in the country. To be eligible, individuals must satisfy one of the below:
    • Have a monthly fixed income of at least 30,000 SGD (about US$21,750) if they are a current Employment Pass holder.
    • Show they have worked at an established a company or will be working for an established company in Singapore with a market cap of at least US$500 million and an annual revenue of at least US$200 million if they are an overseas applicant.
    • Have outstanding achievements in art, sports, science or academia.
  • ONE pass holders will be exempt from the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirements and the upcoming point-based Complementary Assessment Framework(COMPASS).
  • Spouses of ONE pass holders will have work authorization through Letter of Consent.

Additional Information: Individuals with outstanding achievements in arts and culture, research and academia, sports, science or technology can qualify for the ONE pass without meeting salary requirements. A factsheet including more information on the ONE pass is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Singaporean government first announced the ONE pass in August 2022 alongside other changes to their work pass framework to attract more highly skilled foreign nationals to live and work in the country. Foreign nationals will benefit from the ONE pass by having greater employment flexibility, including not needing to apply for a new pass if they change jobs and being able to work for multiple companies at the same time.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Singaporean government will require most foreign nationals applying for new or renewal Ministry of Manpower passes to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Key Points: 

  • Foreign nationals who are 13 and older from the day they apply for new or renewal MOM passes must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Pass holders must take their booster dose within 270 days from their last primary vaccination dose to maintain fully vaccinated status.
  • Foreign nationals who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Singapore should have their vaccination status shown in the HealthHub or TraceTogether app.
  • Pass holders who were vaccinated against COVID-19 overseas must verify its validity by taking a serology test in Singapore or getting their digitally verifiable vaccination certificates certified at a local clinic.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals can be exempted from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement if they are medically ineligible for the vaccine; however, they will need to undergo a medical review with a Singapore-registered doctor upon arrival. If the doctor does not exempt them, they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 30 days. More information regarding Singapore’s COVID-19 health measures is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Singaporean government has announced that it will update its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for those applying or renewing Ministry of Manpower (MOM) passes.

Key Points: 

  • Beginning Oct. 1, Work Permit and S Pass holders employed in construction, marine shipyards or process sectors must be fully vaccinated to apply for new passes or renew passes.
  • All other pass holders who are 13 and older must have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to apply for new passes.
  • Pass holders must take their booster dose within 270 days from their last primary vaccination dose to maintain their fully vaccinated status.
  • Pass holders must verify their proof of being fully vaccinated overseas by taking a serology test in Singapore or getting their digitally-verifiable vaccination certificates (DVCs) certified at a local clinic.

Additional Information: As of Aug. 29, employers no longer need to submit exemption requests for pass holders who are not fully-vaccinated; instead, they must undergo a medical review with a Singapore-registered doctor within 30 days after arrival in Singapore. More information regarding Singapore’s COVID-19 border and health measures is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Singaporean government has announced that it will implement a series of changes to its work pass framework.

Employment Pass (EP) Processing: 

  • Beginning Sept. 1, 2022, employers must advertise jobs under the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) for 14 days instead of 28 days.
  • Singaporean authorities will process Employment Pass (EP) applications in two weeks instead of three weeks.

Longer work pass validity:

  • Beginning Sept 1, 2022, EP holders who have a fixed monthly salary of 10,500 SGD and work in technology occupations on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be eligible for a five-year EP instead of a two-to-three year EP.
  • Singaporean authorities expect to publish an updated SOL in March 2023; more information regarding the SOL is available here.

Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) pass:

  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, eligible foreign nationals will be able to apply for a five-year, renewable ONE pass to start and work for multiple companies at any point while living in the country. To be eligible, individuals must satisfy one of the below:
    • Have a monthly fixed income of at least 30,000 SGD if they are a current EP holder.
    • Show they have worked and established a company with a market cap of at least 500 million USD and an annual revenue of at least 200 million USD if they are an overseas applicant with no recent work history in Singapore.
    • Have outstanding achievements in art, sports, science or academia.
  • ONE pass holders will be exempt from the FCF job advertising requirements and the upcoming point-based Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS).
  • Spouses of ONE pass holders will have work authorization through Letter of Consent.

Job advertising exemptions:

  • Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, Singaporean authorities will increase the salary threshold from 20,000 SGD to 22,500 SGD for employers to be exempt from FCF job advertising.
  • Authorities will increase the current salary requirement for Personalized Employment Passes (PEPs) from 12,000 SGP for current EP holders and 18,000 SGP for overseas EP applicants to 22,500 SGP.

Additional Information: A factsheet including more information on the scheduled changes to the work pass framework is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Singaporean government is implementing the upcoming changes to its work pass framework to attract more highly skilled foreign nationals to live and work in the country. BAL will continue to monitor the implementation of the changes to the framework and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Singaporean government has announced that it will ease its COVID-19 border measures.

Key Points: 

  • Beginning Aug. 29, travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to undergo a seven-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) upon arrival or take a PCR test on the last day of their SHN.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will still be required to have proof of a negative PCR or professionally administered antigen test taken within two days before departure to Singapore.
  • Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) and Short-Term Visitors (STVs) who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are 13 and older will no longer be required to apply for entry approval.
  • STVs will still be required to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance for the duration of their stay in Singapore.

Additional Information: More information regarding Singapore’s updated COVID-19 border and health measures is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

 

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Singaporean government will increase its monthly salary for employment pass holders in September.

Key Points: 

  • On Sept. 1, Singapore’s minimum salary per month for Employment Pass (EP) applicants will increase from 4,500 Singaporean dollars to 5,000 SGD. For EP applicants in the finance sector, the new minimum monthly salary will increase from 5,000 SGD to 5,500 SGD.
  • Singapore’s minimum salary for S pass applicants will increase from 2,500 SGD to 3,000 SGD. For S pass applicants in the financial sector, the new minimum monthly salary will increase from 3,000 SGD to 3,500 SGD.
  • New applications submitted on or after Sept. 1, 2022, will be subject to the new salary threshold; employers must meet the new salary requirements for renewal applications by September 2023.

Additional Information: As of Aug. 1, employers can use the Self-Assessment Tool here to determine if their EP or S Pass candidates will meet the new qualifying salary. More information regarding the monthly salary requirement increase is available here.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their budgets if necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.