Personnel Relocation to Singapore

Our team of lawyers can assist foreigners in the legal procedures applicable to personnel relocation to Singapore. This is possible only for certain categories of employees, and companies must also meet specific requirements, which is why we recommend you address our lawyers in Singapore for full legal assistance.

In what circumstances can I apply for personnel relocation to Singapore?

Please know that employee relocation to Singapore is limited only to a few types of work activities, and it aims at the relocation of persons who have managerial skills and specialized work capabilities. According to the Ministry of Manpower, a person can qualify for personnel relocation to Singapore if the applicant meets the basics of the definition of an intra-corporate transferee.

What agreements regulate the intra-company transfer system in Singapore?

Depending on the country where the person is a resident, he or she must comply with the definition of one of the following:

1. the definition stated under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) established by the World Trade Organization;
2. other free trade agreements that Singapore is a part of.

What is intra-company transfer?

Intra-company transfer refers to the relocation of an employee in a company’s subsidiary (or another type of associated/subordinated company) operating overseas.

When can a company qualify for the intra-company transfer program?

The foreign company and the company in Singapore must have one of the following subordination/association connections:

1. the company is a branch office;
2. the company is a subsidiary;
3. the company is an affiliate business.

What categories of employees can qualify for the intra-company transfer?

The intra-company transfer is available for 3 types of employees – managers, executives or specialists.

Are there any obligations concerning the duration of my employment?

Under the requirements of either of the definitions, the person who wants to relocate to Singapore for employment must have been working in the company abroad for a minimum period of 1 year before starting the application.

Are there any salary requirements?

There are also salary threshold requirements that must be met (they depend on the field in which the company operates – financial or non-financial); our Singapore lawyers can present further details.

What is the validity of the visa available for personnel relocation to Singapore?

Those applying for personnel relocation to Singapore can obtain a visa valid for up to 3 years.

Is it possible to apply for a renewal?

A renewal of 2 years is possible, with a total relocation of maximum of 5 years.

Is it required to publicly post the job opening on Singapore recruitment websites?

No. While in general, local employers need to first address the employment market in Singapore and, provided that they do not find eligible candidates, they will address the international market, in the case of the intra-company transfer, this obligation is not imposed as the job opening is considered an internal affair of the multinational company.

Is the intra-company transfer program a pathway to permanent relocation to Singapore?

No. While the foreign employee can live for a total period of 5 years in Singapore, the intra-company transfer is considered a temporary immigration program that does not automatically grant the right to permanent residency.

How long does it take to process an application?

In general, the applications for intra-company transfers are processed in a period of around 10 days. With the assistance of our team of lawyers, you can rest assured that the procedure will not meet any impediments (we can prepare all the required documentation and submit it in accordance with all the steps and formalities imposed by law).

Is it possible to relocate to Singapore with my family members?

As a holder of a visa issued for intra-company transfer purposes, in general, it is not possible to bring close family members to Singapore under family relocation programs. Exemptions can apply based on the free trade agreement applicable to your nationality – for more details, please discuss with our lawyers in Singapore.

Is there a personnel relocation visa for trainees?

Yes, Singapore provides a visa program designed for trainees, who are individuals hired by a company for a short period of time, to acquire experience in a specific field, but they are not company employees.

We invite you to contact our law firm in Singapore for advice and legal assistance on the application procedure. The company and the employee will have to present specific documents that will be included in the visa application file – we can provide a full list of all the requirements and can help you prepare the visa application file.