Moving to Singapore as an Expat - Summary of Jen's Lecture

Introduction

• Presenter: Jen from the channel "happy haa"
• Background: Asian-American young professional living in Singapore
• Channel Purpose: Documenting experiences in Singapore, sharing advice
• Duration in Singapore: 2 years

Common Question: How to Move to Singapore?

• Diverse routes to move to Singapore

Main Routes to Move to Singapore

1. Academic Route

• Popular Universities: Offers postgraduate degrees
• Example: INSEAD (MBA, MERS in Business Administration)

2. Dependent Route

• Scenario: Moving with a spouse who has a job in Singapore
• Visa: Dependent Pass (DP)
  • Caveats: Legal marriage required, does not grant work rights directly
  • Changes in 2021: Need additional work permit to work on DP

3. Employment Route (Focus of the Lecture)

• Common Method: Getting a job in Singapore

Types of Work Visas in Singapore

Employment Pass (EP)

• Details:
  • Valid for 2 years, renewable
  • Minimum salary: S$5,000/month (rises with age)
  • Financial services sector: Min. S$5,500/month
  • Future Updates: Min. salary increase to S$5,600 in 2025
  • Application: Employer applies on behalf
  • Compass System: Points-based assessment for high-quality foreign talent
    • Criteria: Income, qualifications (top global universities), skillset
    • Employer Attributes: Considered in the points system
  • Job Change: New employer must reapply for EP

Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

• Details:
  • Valid for 3 years, non-renewable
  • Salary Requirement: Min. S$22,500/month (S$270,000/year)
  • Flexibility: Not tied to an employer, no job needed to apply
  • Residency Requirement: No unemployment for more than 6 months

Overseas Network and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

• Details:
  • Valid for 5 years, renewable
  • High Requirements: Min. S$30,000/month (S$360,000/year)
  • Alternative Path: Outstanding achievements (arts, sports, academia)
  • Exemptions: Foreign talent hiring regulations
  • Flexibility: Can change jobs without reapplying, work for multiple companies

Entre Pass

• Details:
  • For entrepreneurs, innovative tech focus
  • Valid for 1 year, renewable
  • Eligibility:
    • Min. S$100,000 funding
    • Incubator participation
    • Founded and sold venture-backed business
    • Holding IP for competitive advantage
    • Research collaboration in Singapore
  • Benefits: No salary requirement, flexible employment

Tech Pass

• Details:
  • For tech entrepreneurs
  • Criteria: Must meet 2 out of 3:
    • Min. S$22,500/month salary (same as PEP)
    • 5 years experience in leading role at major tech company
    • 5 years experience leading development of a tech product
  • Flexibility: Not tied to an employer, can start/invest in companies

Jen's Personal Experience

• Move Timeline: Start of 2022
• Method: Internal company transfer from the US
• Benefits: Avoided job search challenges
• Recommendations: Strong internal candidate, less restrictive regulations for transfers

Advice for Moving to Singapore

1. Job Applications: Ensure companies sponsor visas before applying
   • Job Platforms: LinkedIn, Jobs DB, Job Central, Indeed Singapore
2. In-Demand Skills: Sectors like finance, climate, philanthropy
   • Value Addition: Language skills, international experience
3. Long-Term Perspective: Patience and persistence needed
   • Openness: Explore opportunities beyond comfort zone

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Persist and stay motivated
• Call to Action: Like, subscribe, and ask questions in comments