IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore will lift its border restrictions for all visitors from mainland China and Australia’s Victoria state, including all travelers who are not Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass holders.

Key Points:

  • The border restrictions will be lifted from midnight on Nov. 6.
  • From noon on Oct. 30, visitors travelling from mainland China and Victoria state can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore on or after Nov. 6. Applicants must have remained in either mainland China or Australia in the last 14 consecutive days prior to their entry and must travel to Singapore on direct flights without transit. More details on the conditions of the Air Travel Pass, application requirements, and process can be found here.
  • Travelers will then undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the airport. They will not need to serve a stay-home notice if their test result is negative.
  • From midnight on Nov. 6, Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders returning from mainland China and Victoria state will also undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. They will also be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore without a need to serve stay-home notice, if their test results are negative.

Analysis & Comments: The lifting of the border restrictions will allow travelers from mainland China and Australia’s Victoria state to enter Singapore, provided they meet entry testing requirements. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore and Germany recently announced they will implement a reciprocal green lane for essential business and official travel purposes.

Key Points:

  • Eligible applicants must follow the COVID-19 prevention and public health measures agreed upon by both countries.
  • The green lane’s operational details such as procedural requirements, health protocols, and application process, will be announced at a later date.

Analysis & Comments: When the Singapore-Germany green lane is implemented, it will facilitate travel for essential business and official purposes. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore is piloting a new business travel pass for senior executives in Singapore with regional or international responsibilities who need to travel overseas regularly for official and business purposes.

Key Points:

  • Travelers with this pass, which is not country-specific, will be required to abide by a strictly controlled itinerary when they travel abroad for work.
  • Upon their return, travelers will be given the option of doing a COVID-19 test in lieu of a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and will be required to self-isolate until the test results are released. The number of passes will be strictly limited in the initial phase to ensure that public health outcomes of this pilot can be monitored. For more information about the Business Pass Travel program, please click here.

Analysis & Comments: The business travel pass pilot for senior executives in Singapore will allow a limited number of them to travel internationally for business and official purposes. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore is moving to tighten work authorisation requirements, including making changes to minimum salaries and the duration for which jobs must be advertised. The changes are being undertaken in part because of the continuing economic fallout from the COVID-19 situation.

Key Points:

  • The minimum monthly salary for Employment Pass (EP) holders was raised S$600 to S$4,500 on Sept. 1.
  • Beginning Oct. 1, the minimum monthly salary for S Pass holders will be raised S$100 to S$2,500.
  • Beginning Dec. 1, EP applicants in financial sectors will be subject to a higher minimum monthly salary of S$5,000.
  • The new minimum salaries for EP and S Pass holders will initially only apply to new applicants; they will apply to renewal applicants beginning May 1, 2021.
  • Beginning Oct. 1, S Pass-level job openings must be advertised on the MyCareersFuture.sg site.
  • Beginning Oct. 1, job openings must be posted on the MyCareersFuture.sg site for 28 days before a foreign national can be hired for the position. The current duration is 14 days.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to implement a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) to facilitate essential business and official travel between both countries for up to 14 days.

Key points:

  • The SafeTravel Pass is a mandatory document for inbound travelers for essential business and official travel from Malaysia to Singapore via the Singapore-Malaysia RGL.
  • Business or official travelers seeking to make essential travel via the RGL to Singapore from Malaysia must be sponsored by either a Singapore-based company or a Singapore Government agency, which will file an application on behalf of the applicant for a SafeTravel Pass.
  • From Aug. 10 onward, only business or official travelers sponsored by a Singapore Government agency may submit applications to use the Singapore-Malaysia RGL. Applications for company-sponsored travelers to use the Singapore-Malaysia RGL can be submitted at the end of August.

Background: Singapore and Malaysia announced in July they were planning to allow cross-border travel for official or essential business.

Analysis & Comments: The agreement to implement a Reciprocal Green Lane is good news for employers who wish to send employees from Malaysia to Singapore or business travelers who wish to enter Singapore from there. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The foreign ministers of Malaysia and Singapore have announced that the two countries are targeting to resume cross-border travel Aug. 10 for some categories of employees.

Key Points:

  • The commuting arrangement will apply to long-term pass holders and those traveling on essential or official business.
  • Those eligible to use the green lane must submit a “controlled itinerary” to the receiving country and will be subject to a COVID-19 swab test.
  • After working at least three consecutive months in the country where they are employed, long-term pass holders may return to their home country on short-term leave, and then re-enter their country of employment to resume work for at least another three consecutive months.

Additional information: Singapore implemented a similar “fast-lane” travel arrangement with China in June. Officials of both countries are working out the details of the cross-border travel arrangement and will publish information on the requirements and application process for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore 10 days before the Aug. 10 start date.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

Singapore has implemented new Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements for those entering the country on or after July 19 with recent travel history in Hong Kong, Victoria, Australia or Japan.

Key Points:

  • Those with recent travel history, including transit, in these regions within the last 14 days will be required to serve their SHN at SHN Dedicated Facilities (SDF) instead of their own place of residence.
  • They must also complete a COVID-19 test before they end their SHN.

Additional information: Those who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents will be required to pay for their SDF stay. Singapore citizens or permanent residents who left Singapore on or after March 27 in spite of the travel advisory will also bear the cost of their SDF stay.

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

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued an email circular dated July 11 for employers wishing to repatriate foreign national employees.

Key Points:

  • Employers who wish to repatriate foreign employees must view the eligibility criteria and submit the relevant information here.
  • The following protocols will also apply for Indian national employees:
    • Employers must provide the employee’s address and contact number in India, as the India High Commission (IHC) will require this information for flight facilitation. Submissions without this information cannot be processed.
    • Employers who have previously made submissions to MOM without the above information are requested to re-submit them here.
    • Employers are also required to register their interest as soon as possible on IHC’s website at hcisingapore.gov.in/registrationform. The latest repatriation flight details can be found here.
  • Employers that have other foreign employees residing in dormitories will have to wait for the dormitories to be cleared before purchasing air tickets to send them home. Dormitory status can be found here.
  • In addition, employers must ensure that their employees are not serving any Quarantine Order or Stay-Home-Notice the day of their flight departure.

Background: MOM recently updated entry procedures for pass holders, as the country continues its phased reopening of the economy.

Additional information: Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has updated entry procedures for pass holders. The government has also updated health declaration procedures for entering Singapore.

Key Points:

  • All pass holders must obtain entry approval from the MOM before they can enter Singapore. Employers can visit the MOM website for more information.
  • Pass holders must also serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) on entering Singapore.
  • Employers must be able to fulfill several requirements to bring pass holders and their dependents into Singapore, including paying for their COVID-19 testing and their 14-day SHN.
  • Those with Long Term Visit Passes (LTVPs) issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) must request ICA entry approval, even if they have an LOC issued by MOM.
  • Employers must wait for MOM’s approval before employees travel to Singapore.
  • All travelers must submit a health declaration via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service before proceeding with immigration clearance in Singapore, and will be required to show their health declaration acknowledgement email to an ICA officer for immigration clearance.
  • Travelers can submit their health declaration within three days before the date of their arrival in Singapore. They must update and resubmit their declarations prior to arrival if they have recently visited a hospital, had contact with someone with COVID-19, and/or if there is any change in their health status and/or travel history.
  • Returning Singapore residents and long-term pass holders who had traveled to China for essential business or official travel under the Green/Fast Lane arrangements must also present to the ICA officers an LOI issued by the local Chinese authorities.
  • Click here for more information on submitting health declarations.

Additional information: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

The Ministry of Manpower has issued a reminder to all employers and work pass holders to comply with circuit breaker measures, Stay-Home Notices (SHN), and Quarantine Orders (QO).

Key Points:

  • Between May 1 and June 25, MOM revoked the work passes of 140 work pass holders for having breached circuit breaker measures, SHN or QO. In addition to having their work passes revoked, these individuals are now permanently banned from working in Singapore.
  • Employers and work pass holders have a joint responsibility to ensure workers abide by social distancing measures, and, if applicable, Quarantine Orders and SHN.

Background: MOM has announced that it will continue to take action against work pass holders who do not comply with requirements, which may include the revocation of work passes, regardless of work pass holder nationality and pass type.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.