Beef up your resume: Singapore to launch five-year work pass for global talent in 2023
Been wanting to work in Singapore? Start beefing up your resume as the Lion City is launching a new work pass in January, which allows top foreign talent to work and live in the country without securing employment first.
In a media briefing on Monday, Aug. 29, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said that The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is tailored for exceptional employees from all sectors, who “possess valuable networks as well as deep skills and expertise that can help Singapore grow.”
According to Tan, the initiative is part of Singapore’s effort to promote the country as a competitive global talent hub.
"We are making targeted enhancements to our work pass framework, to better attract top talent and experienced tech professionals in areas of skills shortages," he said.
“By bringing the best from around the world, we can tap on their networks, learn from their expertise, and ultimately accelerate the development of our own local talent pool,” Tan added.
According to a report by Channel NewsAsia, the Manpower Minister’s announcement comes after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore must develop a “world-class talent pool” from its own workforce while simultaneously attracting overseas talent.
“We want to make top talent everywhere sit up, pay attention, and think seriously about coming to Singapore,” Lee said during Singapore’s National Day Rally last Aug. 21.
Compared to Singapore’s regular Employment Pass (EP), the ONE Pass will guarantee foreign talent a longer stay of five years instead of just two to three years.
ONE Pass also allows its holders to start, operate, and work for multiple companies all at the same time, unlike the EP which is limited to one job. On top of that, ONE Pass holders can sponsor dependents and their spouses would be allowed to work in Singapore after obtaining a Letter of Consent.
Qualifications for Singapore ONE Pass
The ONE Pass is open to high-achievers of all sectors, with a minimum fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (approximately P1.2 million), equivalent to the top 5 percent of regular EP holders.
If you can’t meet the salary requirement, don’t quit your daydream just yet. According to Tan, individuals with officially recognized “outstanding achievements” in the fields of arts and culture, sports, science and technology, as well as research and academia are also qualified to apply.
“Basically, we are also looking at and open to rainmakers coming here,” he said.
In addition, South China Morning Post reports that candidates must have worked or will be working for a company with a market capitalization of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million, either in their overseas role at the point of application or future job in Singapore.
Applications for ONE Pass will open on January 1, 2023.