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Singapore recently introduced the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE pass)- a premier work visa for global talent in business, arts, culture, sports, science, technology, academia and research.
2023 promises to be an exciting year for the Singapore business and HR communities when the Ministry of Manpower inaugurates the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass). While the parameters are set in attracting the industries’ top business talent, with an average monthly salary of SGD 30,000 (USD 21,000), we are also anticipating a warm Singapore welcome will be extended to Individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research who may also qualify, strengthening Singapore’s positioning as the home of the world’s best talent.
Noted as one of the best cities to live in, albeit the high costs, people living in Singapore are treated to everyday modern creature comforts set-out in a modern-day lush greenery. We’re talking about high rise, smart residential and commercial spaces, historically restored heritage and arts hubs, tech-centric touchpoints and garden-inspired skyscrapers, Singapore has it all. With its locally diverse culture, a commonly shared English language proficiency, its people are accustomed to accessing the best products and services, making it the choice base for many MNCs and their expat teams.
With the launch of the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) ONE Pass, Singapore is addressing long-term challenges that globally leading talent have faced in the past. It offers the employment flexibility that many expats and the growing global gig community of experts are longing for. It also recognizes the value-addition, not only the ONE Pass holder to the Singapore workforce and business community, it also extends more opportunities for gainful employment for their families.
EMPLOYMENT FLEXIBILITY
For many years, residing in Singapore has only been limited to its natural born citizens, its niche of residents and an active foreign talent pool who has secured jobs from locally registered companies and have been issued a valid employment pass, having passed the rigid selection criteria set by the local Ministry of Manpower.
At the height of the pandemic, the city state of Singapore has seen the exit of many expats who suffered from pay cuts or were simply recalled from their local posts by their MNC employers, forcing them to move out of the county, even if they have families attending school and are deeply entrenched in the local community activities. This has been deeply challenging, since the working expat community in Singapore are only allowed to earn an income from one main employer only. What makes the ONE Pass so much valued is the flexibility it provides its pass holders. From previously relying on the employment passes being secured by the employers, ONE Pass is a personalised pass, that individuals who meet the criteria may independently apply for. More so, the number of potential employers or revenue streams where the ONE Pass holder may generate their monthly average income from, will also no longer be expected from one sole employer alone. Instead, a ONE Pass holder is entitled to concurrently start, operate and work for multiple companies in Singapore at any one time.
HAVEN FOR REMOTE WORK & GIG EXPERTS.
While the big tech giants like Twitter, Microsoft, Amazon and many others are rallying back the troops to a back-to-office memos and destination office experiences, Forbes[1] noted that remote work is here to stay and according to projections, 25% of professional jobs in North America will be remote by end of 2022 and it is expected to continue to grow in percentage into 2023. With this shift in working models, Asia is expecting an influx of globally leading talent who have long been eager to enjoy the perks of remote work to find themselves relocating with their families to tropical get-aways with first-world hubs like Singapore. The city state’s top-notch infrastructure, economic independence and abundance of travel opportunities make it the ideal choice of a new home.
HOME FOR CREATIVE & ATHELETIC GENIUS
In the recent years, Singapore hit the news with its elite team winning medals in the Olympics and Asian games, being the choice headquarters of globally leading content creator, NasDaily and awe-inspiring displays at Changi’s Jewel and Gardens by the Bay. With the ONE Pass, it opens a wider opportunity to attract more individuals who excel in the world of sports and the arts to explore living in Singapore and share their exciting talents.
The application for the ONE Pass has officially open on January 1, 2023. The opportunity for globally leading talents in the business, arts, culture, sports, science, technology, academia and research industries will have the opportunity to check if they match these innovative criteria and potentially relocate to Singapore and value-add to its young, dynamic and happening workforce.
HRPlus will be actively monitoring the implementation and operations of the ONE Pass scheme and support clients or applicants who are interested to apply.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2022/02/01/remote-work-is-here-to-stay-and-will-increase-into-2023-experts-say/?sh=1cda8d6520a6
