Looking for Singapore student visa spouse work guide?
If you’re planning to study in Singapore, you might be wondering about bringing your spouse along and whether they can work there or not.
Well, the short answer is that, it is possible.
By now, you might know that Singapore draws lots of international students each year, and bringing your spouse can make your study journey much better.
However, there are some important points that you must know when it comes to getting any work rights for your spouse.
Therefore, let’s dive into everything that you need to know about student visas, getting your spouse to Singapore, and helping them to find a job.
Understanding Student Visas in Singapore
Before finding any work for your spouse, you must know how this student visa process works.
Well, when you come to study in Singapore, you’ll need something called a Student’s Pass from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Every international student who wants to study full-time needs one.
Your pass will last as long as your course does, as in this could be a few months or several years.
When it comes to the process, getting one involves two steps.
First of all, your school needs to approve you.
Then you’ll need to apply online through the Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.
So this is how it works for you.
Dependant’s Pass for Spouses
Now, let’s find out how to bring your spouse to Singapore before finding a job for them.
In this case, you’ll need to show that you can support them financially.
The average cost could be SGD 6,000 per month. That’s what you need to prove when it comes to money.
To get a Dependant’s Pass, you’ll need to submit some paperwork to ICA, including your marriage certificate, proof of your finances, and your student visa details.
When it comes to time, the whole process usually takes about 4-6 weeks.
Note: There are some fees involved: SGD 105 for applying and SGD 225 when it’s approved.
Work Rights for Student Visa Spouses
Here’s what you need to know.
Once your spouse has their Dependant’s Pass, they can work. But they need one more thing: a Letter of Consent (LOC) which will be given from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Anyway, getting this letter is easier than it used to be.
Whereas you could fill out the application online and submit it by using their website to run the process.
Now this is something important, while there’s no minimum salary requirement, employers need to pay fair market rates.
Note: Remember, your spouse can only use their LOC with one employer at a time. And they need to keep their Dependant’s Pass valid in order to stick with the immigration rules.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtain the Work Permission
First things first: your spouse needs to get a job offer from a company that has been registered in Singapore.
After that, their future employer needs to submit the LOC application through MOM’s online portal.
During this process, they’ll need to provide the employment contract, your spouse’s passport information, and their current Dependant’s Pass.
Anyway, there is a downfall. Which is that sometimes employers aren’t familiar with LOCs.
Due to this reason, it can slow down the process by making you to wait much longer.
However, if everything is in order, you should hear back in 3-5 working days.
Employment Sectors and Opportunities
Your spouse can work in pretty much any sector with an LOC.
This means, services, education, and technology sectors often have good opportunities for them to work in.
In fact, most jobs are full-time, but part-time work is possible if the employer agrees.
When it comes to salary, professional jobs typically pay between SGD 2,500 and SGD 8,000 monthly, depending on experience and industry.
Moreover, your spouse can also find out work by using out-of-the-box options.
These include any networking events, job websites, and recruitment agencies that works with international candidates.
Important Considerations
Working in Singapore means that you must pay taxes.
In this case, if your spouse stays for 183 days or more in a year, they must pay the resident tax rates.
Anyway, most employers provide health insurance, but it’s not required by law. This means that you might want to get some extra private coverage to cover it up.
However, the most important thing is to keep all your passes valid. If they expire, the work permission does too.
Therefore, make sure to keep a track record of it as well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We see lots of people who run into problems with incomplete paperwork or not understanding how long that things can take.
Therefore, get all the certificates properly notarized and translated before you start to apply.
Also, don’t let your spouse to work before getting the LOC approval. Remember that if you do, that can cause serious problems.
Note: Read employment contracts carefully, especially the parts about notice periods and ending the contract. This is because changing the job means that you must apply for a new LOC once again.
Alternative Options
If your spouse wishes to work online, he/she can try freelancing because that’s possible with an LOC.
However, it needs a proper setup and clear agreements with the client.
Moreover, working online for companies outside Singapore is another option, but check the rules as these can change more often.
Always remember that you cannot start your own business under your visa status.
Anyway, if you wish to start one, it takes extra permits, and you might need a different visa, like an EntrePass to run this process.
Note: Some people eventually switch to Employment Passes after getting any work experience, which opens up more career options.
Getting your spouse permission to work while you study takes some planning, but it’s definitely possible.
Therefore, remember to check out the MOM website (www.mom.gov.sg) and ICA portal (www.ica.gov.sg) for the latest information and to submit your applications.
Anyway, if you wish to get someone’s help in person, you can visit the Singapore government’s One-Stop Information and Services Center.
For specific questions, you can always call the MOM contact centre at +65 6438 5122.
Moreover, your school’s international student office can help you as well. This is because, they often have resources and contacts for dependant-related questions.
Contact TEVS a Singapore student visa consultants in Sri Lanka for more details.
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