Singapore Landing Glossary: 58 Terms in English and Chinese

A work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to foreign professionals, managers and executives; the application must be made by the employer or an employment agent it appoints. Applicants must meet the qualifying salary and pass the COMPASS assessment; first passes last up to 2 years and renewals up to 3 years (MOM, 2026-05-04).

The minimum fixed monthly salary for stage one of the EP assessment, rising with age. As at October 2026 it is S$5,600 to S$10,700 for most sectors and S$6,200 to S$11,800 for financial services, with increases for new applications from 2027-01-01 (MOM, 2026-04-28). The qualifying salary is only the stage-one threshold; applicants who meet it must still pass COMPASS.

The points-based framework for stage two of the EP assessment, scoring foundational criteria (salary, qualifications, diversity of the firm's workforce and support for local employment) and bonus criteria; applicants need at least 40 points to pass. Applicants with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 are exempt (MOM, 2026-04-28).

A pass for people with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past 12 consecutive months (where the overseas employer must be an established company with a market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million), or with outstanding achievements. It is valid for up to 5 years, allows the holder to work for several companies at once, and lets the spouse work on a Letter of Consent (MOM, 2026-09-14).

A work pass not tied to a particular employer, requiring a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 to apply. It is valid for up to 3 years, issued only once and not renewable; holders must then apply for an EP or S Pass. While holding it, fixed salary must be at least S$270,000 in each calendar year (MOM, 2024-03-22 and 2024-11-27).

A pass for entrepreneurs who have started or intend to start a private limited company in Singapore; the holder must own at least 30% of the company, and the company must, for example, be backed by venture capital or own innovative technology. New passes and the first renewal last up to 1 year, with later renewals of up to 2 years (MOM, 2024-11-19 and 2026-08-14).

A pass that eligible EP or S Pass holders apply for on behalf of a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21; the main pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (MOM, 2024-03-14). Its validity is tied to the main pass; a DP holder who takes up employment needs a separate work pass, and one running their own business can apply for a Letter of Consent.

A pass for dependants such as common-law spouses and unmarried stepchildren under 21, requiring the EP or S Pass holder to earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000; applying for parents requires at least S$12,000 (MOM, 2024-03-14). Parents and unmarried children over 21 of people who obtained PR through GIP can also apply, with validity tied to the investor's REP (EDB).

A document issued by MOM allowing certain pass holders to work or run a business without a separate work pass. It currently applies to spouses of ONE Pass holders and to DP holders who wish to start or run their own business (MOM, 2026-03-25 and 2026-09-14).

The investor route to PR administered by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), open to four types of applicant (established business owners, next-generation business owners, founders of fast-growth companies and family office principals) who apply under one of three investment options. Processing takes about 12 months, and the factsheet states that it is not a promise of approval (EDB, 2025-05-05).

An interim approval issued once a GIP application passes assessment. It is valid for 6 months, during which the applicant must make the chosen investment; after final approval, PR formalities must be completed within 12 months (EDB GIP Factsheet, 2025-05-05).

The designated investment under GIP Option B: the applicant must invest S$25 million in a GIP-select fund recognised by EDB. At the five-year REP renewal, the fund investment must still be maintained and the residence conditions met (EDB GIP Factsheet, 2025-05-05).

An investment management entity that manages the assets of a single family. GIP Option C requires setting up a Singapore SFO with assets under management of at least S$200 million, of which at least S$50 million is placed in designated investments (EDB); MAS's revised SFO framework took effect on 2026-06-15 (MAS).

Permanent residence status approved by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Eligible categories include spouses and children of citizens or PRs, EP and S Pass holders, and investors through GIP (ICA, 2026-03-13). A total of 35,352 people were granted PR in 2025 (Population in Brief 2026).

The permit issued when PR status is finalised after approval; ICA charges S$20. The five-year Re-Entry Permit fee of S$50 and the identity card fee of S$50 are generally paid at the same time (ICA, Apply for Permanent Residence, 2026-03-13).

A permit that allows a PR to retain permanent residence while away from Singapore, charged at S$10 for each approved year (part years count as a full year) (ICA, 2026-03-13). People who obtain PR through GIP receive a five-year REP initially, and renewal requires meeting investment and residence conditions (EDB).

An REP rule in force from 2025-12-01: a PR who leaves Singapore without a valid REP, or whose REP expires while abroad, must apply for an REP within 180 days; failing to apply in time, or having the application rejected, means loss of PR status, even if the person has returned to Singapore. ICA states that late applications cannot be appealed.

Under the Enlistment Act, male citizens and PRs must register for National Service at 16 and a half, generally serving 2 years of full-time National Service from 18, followed by Operationally Ready National Service. Boys who obtain PR with their parents are also liable; main applicants approved under the first-generation professionals or investor schemes are themselves exempt (ICA; CMPB, 2025-07-22).

A permit that male citizens and PRs aged 13 and above with National Service liability must obtain for trips abroad of 3 months or more (ICA). Renouncing or losing PR before completing full-time National Service will seriously affect future applications to work or study in Singapore and for dependants' passes.

The Ministry of Defence agency responsible for National Service registration, enlistment and exit permits. Male PRs of enlistment age living overseas, and their parents, can check registration timing and case-specific requirements with CMPB (CMPB, Overseas pre-enlistees, 2025-07-22).

Singapore's mandatory savings scheme for citizens and PRs. Employed PRs must contribute from the day they obtain status, at graduated rates for the first two years and full rates from the third year (CPF Board, 2026-06-16). CPF savings are not governed by a will and need a separate CPF nomination (MoneySense).

The lower CPF contribution rates that apply to new PRs in their first two years. Employers and employees can jointly apply to contribute at full rates instead; the exact percentages depend on age and year, per the CPF Board's latest rate tables (CPF Board, 2026-06-16).

Singapore citizen status. Adult applicants generally must first become PRs before applying, with exceptions for some minor children (Population in Brief 2026). A total of 25,094 people were granted citizenship in 2025. Taking up citizenship involves dealing with existing nationality and obligations such as National Service, per ICA's current rules.

IRAS's determination of an individual's tax status. A foreigner is generally treated as a tax resident only after staying or working in Singapore for at least 183 days in the previous calendar year, or being in Singapore for 3 consecutive years; residents pay progressive rates and can claim personal reliefs, with a top marginal rate of 24% (IRAS, 2026-04-27).

Both Singapore and mainland China use 183 days as the key threshold for individual tax residence: IRAS counts days of stay or employment in Singapore in the previous calendar year, while mainland China's Individual Income Tax Law counts cumulative days of residence in China within a tax year. The two sets of rules apply independently.

The annual basis on which Singapore calculates individual income tax, taxing income of the previous calendar year; for example, YA 2026 covers income from 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31. Individuals generally file between 1 March and 18 April (IRAS, 2026-04-16).

The assessment IRAS issues after a taxpayer files, stating the tax payable and the payment deadline; it is generally issued between late April and late September (IRAS, Tax Season 2026, 2026-08-14). Objections must be raised within the period stated on the notice.

When a non-citizen employee ceases employment, is posted overseas or plans to leave Singapore for more than 3 months, the employer must notify IRAS on form IR21 at least one month in advance and withhold monies due until clearance is complete. It applies to all work pass holders, including ONE Pass and PEP holders (IRAS, 2026-08-14).

Foreign-sourced income received by individuals in Singapore, including amounts deposited into Singapore bank accounts, is generally not taxed; exceptions include income received through a Singapore partnership and overseas employment income connected with Singapore employment (IRAS, 2026-03-02).

An agreement between two jurisdictions that allocates taxing rights and prevents the same income from being taxed twice. The comprehensive agreements, limited agreements and exchange-of-information arrangements listed by IRAS together cover about 100 jurisdictions (IRAS, 2026-02-04).

The OECD standard for the automatic exchange of financial account information for tax purposes. Singapore has exchanged information with partner jurisdictions since September 2018; cash value insurance contracts are reportable, and the amended CRS applies from 2027-01-01 (IRAS, 2026-09-09).

The form on which a customer declares their jurisdictions of tax residence and taxpayer identification numbers to a financial institution when opening a bank account or buying a policy. The institution uses it to decide which jurisdictions to report to; when tax residence changes, the declaration should be updated promptly.

The identification number a tax authority assigns to a taxpayer. On a CRS self-certification, every jurisdiction of tax residence must be listed with its corresponding TIN; where there is no TIN, the reason must be given as the financial institution requires.

A voluntary retirement savings scheme whose contributions qualify for income tax relief. The annual cap is S$15,300 for citizens and PRs and S$35,700 for foreigners, and contributions must be made by 31 December to count towards relief in the following Year of Assessment (IRAS, 2026-08-14).

Under the Individual Income Tax Law, an individual who is domiciled in China, or who is not domiciled but resides in China for a cumulative 183 days or more in a tax year. Resident individuals with overseas income must file and pay tax between 1 March and 30 June of the following year (MOF and STA Announcement No. 3 of 2020).

Singapore abolished estate duty for deaths on or after 2008-02-15 (IRAS, 2026-03-09). This concerns Singapore only and does not affect estate or inheritance-related taxes that other jurisdictions may levy on the same family's assets.

Stamp duty levied on residential property purchases on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty. From 2023-04-27: 60% for foreigners buying any residential property; 5% for a PR's first property, 30% for the second and 35% for the third and subsequent; 20% for a citizen's second property; and 65% for entities (IRAS, 2026-08-27).

An annual tax levied on a property's Annual Value. Owner-occupied residential property has been taxed at progressive rates of 0% to 32% since 2024 (with Annual Value bands adjusted from 2025-01-01), and non-owner-occupied residential property at 12% to 36% since 2024 (IRAS, 2026-08-11). The rate schedules depend on whether the property is owner-occupied, not on the owner's nationality.

IRAS's estimate of the annual rent a property could fetch if let, excluding furniture and maintenance fees; it is the base for property tax. The same property is taxed on different rate schedules depending on whether it is owner-occupied, so properties with the same Annual Value may bear different tax.

URA's rule for renting out private residential property: every occupant must stay for at least three consecutive months, with no daily or weekly short-term lets. There is also an occupancy cap, with units smaller than 90 square metres limited to 6 unrelated persons (URA, 2026-06-15).

The law, administered by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), that restricts foreigners from buying landed residential property. Foreigners can buy condominium units directly, but must apply for prior approval to buy landed residential property; factors assessed include having been a PR for at least 5 years (SLA, 2025-08-20).

A strata-titled private residential development with shared facilities. Foreigners can buy units in it without SLA approval, including strata landed housing within an approved condominium development, but must pay 60% ABSD (SLA; IRAS).

MOE's admissions test for international students seeking places in government primary and secondary schools, for Primary 2 to Primary 5 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 in the following school year. The 2026 test was held in Singapore from 1 to 3 September; admission is not guaranteed and depends on test performance (MOE, 2026-07-17).

MOE's supplementary admissions test for international students entering Primary 2 to Primary 4 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 2 in the same school year. Applications for the 2027 S-AEIS open in early January, with the written test provisionally in late February or early March, and successful candidates are admitted in April or May (MOE, 2026-07-01).

A pass issued by ICA to foreign students admitted to full-time courses. Holders of a valid DP or LTVP do not need one for full-time non-religious courses, but must apply for a Student's Pass to continue studying once that pass expires or is cancelled (ICA, 2025-12-23).

Basic health insurance administered by the CPF Board. All citizens and PRs are automatically covered for life, regardless of age or pre-existing conditions, mainly for large hospital bills, day surgery and certain outpatient treatments (MOH, 2025-08-26; CPF, 2026-09-17).

Medical insurance offered by private insurers, made up of a MediShield Life component sized for Class B2/C wards in public hospitals and an additional private component covering higher ward classes or private hospitals. Seven insurers currently offer IPs (MOH, 2026-04-30).

The part of a CPF account used for medical expenses. Premiums for the additional private component of an IP can be paid with MediSave, subject to Additional Withdrawal Limits of S$300, S$600 or S$900 a year depending on age next birthday, with any excess paid in cash (MOH, 2026-04-30).

The medical insurance (annual claim limit of at least S$60,000) and personal accident insurance (sum assured of at least S$60,000 a year) that employers must buy for a domestic helper, introduced in phases on 2023-07-01 and 2025-07-01 (MOM, 2026-09-18).

A protection scheme administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). If a life insurer fails, aggregated guaranteed sums assured are covered up to S$500,000 and aggregated guaranteed surrender values up to S$100,000; investment-linked benefits are not covered (SDIC, accessed 2026-10-22). Scope follows the SDIC page.

A nomination by which the policy owner (who must be the life assured and at least 18) directs policy proceeds to a spouse and/or children; it cannot be changed unilaterally. In bankruptcy, the policy proceeds are generally protected from creditors (LIA, 2026-03), subject to the law and the facts of each case.

A nomination under which the policy owner can change the beneficiaries at any time, and beneficiaries are not limited to a spouse and children; once the policy is assigned, the nomination is revoked (LIA, Your Guide to Nomination of Insurance Nominees, 2026-03).

The 14-day period offered by Singapore life insurers, starting from receipt of the policy documents; cancelling within it refunds premiums, less costs such as medical examinations (MoneySense, 2026-05-11). The proposal form must be completed accurately, or the policy may be void.

The deposit insurance scheme administered by SDIC, covering each depositor's aggregate insured deposits at each member institution up to S$100,000; foreign currency deposits, structured deposits and investment products are not covered (SDIC, 2024-08-01).

Two concepts in anti-money laundering due diligence: source of funds is the immediate origin of the money used in a particular transaction, while source of wealth is how the customer's overall wealth was built up. Banks and insurers must verify both under anti-money laundering rules before opening an account or accepting a policy.

The State Council Regulations on Outbound Investment, effective 2026-07-01. Investors include domestic enterprises, other organisations and resident individuals; where approval or filing, information reporting, cross-border fund registration or other procedures are legally required, they must be completed accurately (signed by the State Council on 2026-05-05 and published on 2026-06-01).

A legal document by which a person aged 21 or above appoints a donee to make personal welfare and property decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity, administered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Without an LPA, family members must apply to the court to be appointed as a deputy (Deputyship) (MSF, accessed 2026-10-23).

A testator must be at least 21 and sign in the presence of two witnesses who are at least 21 and are neither beneficiaries nor beneficiaries' spouses (MoneySense, 2026-04-22). CPF savings are not governed by a will; without a will, assets are distributed under the Intestate Succession Act, which does not apply to Muslims (MoneySense, 2026-09-28).