Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) - a business guide
Chapter 7: Working and living in Singapore
There are more than 6000 international companies in Singapore. These range from small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations (MNC) and engage in a broad spectrum of activities – R&D activities, chemicals and electronics manufacturing, engineering, biomedical sciences, trade and hospitality services.
If you want to engage in any business, profession, or any form of paid employment in Singapore and you are not a Singapore permanent resident, you will need to get an appropriate immigration and employment pass. There are passes for short stays in Singapore for job interviews and business negotiations (social visit passes); passes for employment, short-term work and training; and passes for spouses and dependants.
Under SAFTA, Australian business people and professionals can now stay in Singapore to negotiate the sale of goods or services, establish an investment, or fulfil a short-term contract for their company for an initial period of up to three months, compared with one month previously. Long-term business residents working for Australian companies in Singapore are granted an initial period of two years, extendable on application up to at least 14 years.
Accompanying spouses and dependants of long-term business residents now have a guaranteed right to work in Singapore in job categories defined as managers, specialists and office administrators.
Business services registration
To register a business or establish a locally incorporated company in Singapore, you will need to appoint a local manager who is a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident or Singapore Employment Pass holder. Only a service supplier who is a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident or Singapore Employment Pass holder is allowed to register a business without appointing a local manager. In addition, a locally incorporated company must have at least one director who is a Singapore resident, and branches of foreign companies registered in Singapore must have at least two agents resident in Singapore.
Table of contents - Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) - a business guide