Things You Need To Know Before Coming Over To Singapore To Look For A Job

Is visa required to go to Singapore?

There is no need to apply for a "VISA" habang nasa pinas pa (you do not need to go to an embassy to apply for a VISA) because Singapore is a member of ASEAN country. Unlike if you are intending to go to US or UK for example.

But there is what we called "social visit visa" granted by the immigration and stamped in your passport at the airport.

So there is no visa required, how long can I stay in Singapore?

Immigration grants either 14-day or 30-day social visit “VISA” which depends on the following factors: 

• Your reason of stay (tourist, visiting a friend, medical, training)
• If you have an invitation letter which complements why you are here.
• “Show money” to spend here.

According to what I have read, they can even grant lesser days like 3 days. Unfortunately, there are even some questionable characters who are not granted at all. So the travel is like an airport to airport thing for them. Good I was just put on hold at the airport when I came here. My "show money" according to them was not enough for a tourist.

Job hunting - How long can it take to find a job?

One of the most frequently asked and difficult to answer question. Finding a job here is a combination of self exerted effort and luck - really. No one can define how long does one can find a job but your edge over the other candidates counts. Again there are a lot of factors:

• Attitude - I was once worked in the middle east and walk in applicants are entertained there. But not in Singapore. Walk in applicants are strictly for locals or Malaysians and or PRs (Permanent Residents). So what does attitude play in this case? Applicant should be really patient, determined and open-minded when looking your niche here.

• Work Experience + Certificates - as the saying goes, the more the merrier. This one needs no further explanation. Like I said it is about your edge over the others

•  Field of expertise - According to the MOM website, the following are the industries with in demand skills.
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Healthcare
• Finance
• Information Communication and Digital Media
• Tourism and Retail

       source MOM 

•  Know how to sell yourself  - Be pleasantly confident and learn the tactics of stressing your potential benefits to the company you are applying to. Don't panic and express yourself clearly.

Is there a chance for fresh graduate in finding a job in Singapore?

•  Like mentioned, most of the companies would prefer Singaporean or Malay and people with experience on their respected field being applied for. So as a tourist and inexperienced, think of your edge over them? I think you know the answer. Filipinos are hard-working and fast learner in our humble opinion. The other race think the same for their own kind. So before coming over, enrich yourself because the likelihood of being employed and unsuccessful in finding a job here is only a hairline apart.

The different passes - what are they and do I need them before hitting the boarding gate going to SG?

Not needed yet.

You will be given the Employment Pass once you submitted personally the In-Principle Letter to MOM together with your passport and medical check up result and certification from a registered Singapore Medical Doctor. 

S-Pass(also called Q2 pass) , E-Pass (also called "EP" or Q1 pass) are types of employment permit issued by MOM dependent on your experience, salary and qualifications.