Author: Maria Plotnikova
Attorney, Family Office
Singapore Residency Through Company Registration
In Singapore by registration a company it is possible to obtain an Employment Pass (EP) β a residence permit for the companyβs director.
Minimum Requirements
- Have a registered company in Singapore
- Pay yourself a salary of at least SGD 5,500/month from the companyβs corporate account to your personal account
- Arrive in Singapore within 6 months from the date of EP approval to collect the residence card
Details on company registration in Singapore can be found at the link below:
Required Documents
- Passport
- Foreign residence permit (if any)
- Proof of address β utility bill or bank statement in English
- Educational diplomas
- CV β marital status, work experience by year with job titles, monthly salary at the last two places of employment, education history by year, membership in professional organisations, awards
All documents must be submitted as scanned copies. Apostilles are not required.
Application Process and Timeline
- Document Collection β 3β4 weeks
- Submission of scanned documents
- Education verification β 15 business days
- Application Submission
- Application Review β 3 weeks
- Staying in Singapore β 3 weeks
- Appointment at the Ministry (can be scheduled only after arrival)
- Visit to the Ministry
- Collection of EP card
Obtaining Dependant Passes
After the main applicant receives the Employment Pass, Dependant Passes can be issued for the spouse and children.
Fees and Additional Costs
Private.law Service Fees
- If the applicant holds a Russian passport and no other foreign residence permit:
- Main applicant: $2,600
- Dependant: $1,400
- If the applicant holds any other passport or a Russian passport with another residence permit:
- Main applicant: $1,500
- Dependant: $1,000
Additional Expenses
- Translation of educational documents (if in Russian): approx. $50
- Verification of education documents: approx. $100
- If the diploma is not from a Top 100 university recognised by Singapore (Russian MSU is the only recognised), an additional phantom employee cost of approx. $10,000 applies
Receiving Your Residence Card in Singapore
To collect your physical EP card, you must stay in Singapore for approximately 3 weeks.
1. Pre-Arrival Preparations
At least 3 days prior to arrival you must complete the online SG Arrival Card (immigration card). Instructions below:
Before your flight ensure you have:
- The passport used for flight booking
- A printed copy of the IPA letter (see below)
- A printed copy of the immigration card
2. Arrival in Singapore
Upon arrival, to book your Ministry appointment you will need to provide:
- A local Singapore phone number
- A Singapore delivery address for the EP card
- The DE number from your immigration card
We recommend to purchase a local SIM card and pay for a one-year plan from one of the following operators: Singtel, M1, StarHub, MyRepublic.
For a smooth stay weβve prepared a detailed city guide:
3. Appointment Booking at the Ministry
Appointments are usually available within 3β5 business days after providing the required data.
You will receive:
- A Notification Letter
- An Appointment Letter
4. Visit to the Ministry
At your appointment, you will:
- Submit fingerprints
- Have your photo taken
- Complete Singpass registration
There is no specific dress code.
5. Obtaining of EP Card
Your EP card will be ready within 5β7 business days after biometrics and will be delivered to your provided address.
If you plan to leave Singapore before the card is issued, we can organise international delivery.
Personal Banking
Once your Singpass account is activated you may open a personal bank account with DBS remotely and with simplified procedures.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or require a consultation, our experts will be happy to assist you.
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