How to work in Singapore without a work pass – some “non notification” exceptions

In a previous post, we talked about some ways you can work in Singapore without having to get a work pass.

The good news is that you do not need a work pass[i] if you are in Singapore to:

• Attend company meetings, corporate retreats or meetings with business partners.
• Attend study tours or visits, training courses, workshops, seminars and conferences as a participant.
• Attend exhibitions as a trade visitor.

The nice thing about this exception is that you don’t need to notify the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM), unlike the exceptions we talked about in our previous post.

Note that MOM advises that you can’t be under an employment contract nor be an independent contractor to anyone in Singapore.

MOM has also clarified that if you are a trainer or speaker at a training course or workshop, you will need to either notify MOM for a Work Pass exemption or get a Miscellaneous Work Pass.

Also, if you do any on-the-job training, you would require a work pass.

See this link for more information.

[i] Section 5(1) Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)

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