Short Guide for Indians Moving to Singapore: Company Incorporation, Employment Pass, PR, and CECA Benefits
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Singapore? Benefits for Indian Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Company Registration in Singapore for Foreigners
Employment Pass and Work Visas in Singapore
How CECA Supports Indian Nationals and Businesses in Singapore
Path from Employment Pass to Permanent Residency (PR)
Progressing from PR to Singapore Citizenship
Conclusion
References
1. Introduction
At E&H Immigration, we specialize in guiding Indian professionals and entrepreneurs through every step of relocating to Singapore.
With its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and open economy, Singapore remains a top destination for Indians looking to establish a business or advance their careers.
This comprehensive guide covers the full journey — from setting up a company and obtaining an Employment Pass, to progressing toward Permanent Residency and eventual citizenship.
We’ve also included a dedicated section on how the India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) benefits you.
2. Why Singapore? Benefits for Indian Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Ease of Business: Ranked consistently among the world’s easiest places to do business
100% Foreign Ownership: Indian nationals can fully own Singapore companies
Efficient Tax System: Low corporate tax rate (17%), no dividend or capital gains tax
Cultural Familiarity: Large Indian diaspora, English widely spoken, Tamil as an official language
Global Access: Ideal hub for regional expansion across ASEAN
3. Company Registration in Singapore for Foreigners
Legal Structure: Most Indian founders choose a Private Limited Company
Resident Director: Required; may be fulfilled via Employment Pass or nominee director
Paid-Up Capital: Minimum S$1
Registered Address & Company Secretary: Must have a local business address and appoint a qualified secretary
Processing Time: Typically 1–3 business days
Common Sectors: IT, finance, logistics, trading, consulting
E&H Immigration assists clients in managing local directorship, compliance, and bank account setup.
4. Employment Pass and Work Visas in Singapore
Employment Pass (EP): For professionals earning S$5,600+ per month (S$6,200+ in finance)
EntrePass: For startup founders in tech/innovation sectors
S Pass: For mid-level roles; subject to quota
Dependent’s Pass: Available for spouses/children of EP holders earning S$6,000+
Application Time: 3–8 weeks, depending on employer profile and documentation
We help Indian professionals optimize their EP applications by aligning with MOM’s COMPASS framework and preparing full academic and employment documentation.
5. How CECA Supports Indian Nationals and Businesses in Singapore
What is CECA?
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) is a bilateral trade agreement signed in 2005 between India and Singapore. It covers goods, services, investment, and the movement of professionals.
Benefits for Indian Professionals
Defined Work Categories: CECA outlines entry categories like Intra-Corporate Transferees and Short-Term Service Providers
Visa Facilitation: Simplified work pass processing under CECA for qualifying Indian professionals
Mutual Recognition: Framework for recognizing Indian qualifications in fields such as nursing and accountancy
No Quotas or Caps: CECA ensures no nationality-based quotas for Indian professionals under agreed categories
Benefits for Indian Companies
Services Liberalization: Sectors like IT, engineering, finance, architecture, and healthcare opened to Indian firms
Financial Services Access: Indian banks such as SBI and ICICI granted Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) status
Market Entry Certainty: CECA grants Indian companies national treatment and most-favored-nation status in many sectors
Regulatory Cooperation: Agreements on telecom, electronics testing, and standards harmonization reduce red tape for Indian exporters
What CECA Does Not Guarantee
No Automatic Work Passes: All applicants must still meet MOM’s Employment Pass criteria (salary, qualifications, employer profile)
No PR or Citizenship Guarantee: CECA facilitates entry but does not promise residency status
At E&H Immigration, we help Indian clients leverage CECA’s provisions when structuring job offers, company setups, and sectoral entry strategies.
6. Path from Employment Pass to Permanent Residency (PR)
Scheme: Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers (PTS)
Eligibility: Typically after 6–12 months of working on an EP
Inclusions: Spouse and children under 21 may be included
Factors Considered: Salary, qualifications, length of stay, employer reputation, integration
Processing Time: 4–12 months
PR allows long-term stay, job mobility, CPF contributions, and housing access.
E&H Immigration assists with PR profiling, documentation, and ICA submission.
7. Progressing from PR to Singapore Citizenship
Eligibility: After 2+ years of PR (for adults)
Benefits: Full rights, travel privileges, public housing, and social support
Requirements: Must renounce Indian citizenship (dual citizenship is not allowed)
National Service: Male PRs and citizens are liable for NS (important for families with sons)
We guide clients in evaluating the long-term implications of citizenship, managing renunciation, and preparing for ICA interviews.
8. Conclusion
Singapore remains one of the most accessible and attractive destinations for Indian professionals and business owners.
Through tools like the Employment Pass, CECA-driven cooperation, and a clear PR/Citizenship path, you can plan a successful long-term relocation.
At E&H Immigration, we specialize in company registration, Employment Pass processing, PR strategy, and citizenship transition for Indian nationals.
9. References
Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore — CECA Overview
Ministry of Manpower — Employment Pass, COMPASS, Dependant’s Pass criteria
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Company Incorporation Framework
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) — PR and Citizenship Eligibility
Ministry of Commerce and Industry India — India-Singapore CECA Documentation
FAQ
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Yes. Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership of companies, including by Indian nationals. Most entrepreneurs choose to register a Private Limited Company with a minimum paid-up capital of just S$1.
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Company registration is very efficient - once documents are in order, ACRA typically processes applications within 1-3 business days. Delays usually occur only when additional document verification is required.
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As of 2025, the minimum qualifying salary for the Employment Pass is S$5,600 per month, and S$6,200 for roles in the financial sector. Higher experience or seniority may require higher qualifying salaries under MOM’s COMPASS framework.
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Yes. EP holders earning at least S$6,000 per month can apply for Dependent’s Passes for their spouse and unmarried children under 21. Children above 21 or parents can join later under separate long-term visit passes.
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No. CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) facilitates easier movement of professionals and business cooperation, but it does not guarantee automatic work passes, PR, or citizenship. Applicants must still meet all MOM and ICA criteria.
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Most professionals apply for PR under the PTS Scheme after 6–12 months of working in Singapore. ICA considers factors such as income, qualifications, employer profile, and community integration when evaluating applications.
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No. Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. When applying for Singapore citizenship, Indian nationals must renounce their Indian citizenship officially. E&H Immigration can assist in preparing for this process and ICA interview requirements.
