Thinking about working or getting training in Singapore but are not a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore?[i]
As a foreigner (under Singapore’s labour laws at least),[ii] you have got to check if you need a work pass to work or train in Singapore. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing it for free or working as an employee or independent contractor.[iii]
The default position in Singapore is that no foreigner can work in Singapore unless:
- that foreigner has a valid work pass,[iv] or
- that foreigner falls into one exception or another.[v]
This includes all self-employed foreigners[vi], so you can’t get automatically around the rules by calling yourself “self-employed”.
We will also be covering some of the exceptions to the work pass rule in the future, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, for more information, check out the Ministry of Manpower’s website.
[i] Section 2, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Section 5(1), 5(2), 10(1) Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
[v] Section 4, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
[vi] Section 10(1), Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
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