Living
Essential Documents
The official documents required for applications generally need to be originals, although in most cases all that’s required is for someone to see the original and make a copy of it. It’s a good idea to make copies of all of your documents and keep them somewhere safe in case you ever lose the originals.
Your original passport, valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in Singapore, is absolutely essential. Any forms that you complete will ask for your passport number so memorising it or keeping it close at hand will make things easier. To obtain an employment pass or a dependant’s pass you’ll also need:
• Marriage certificate
• Educational certificates (highest level only – no need to bring your primary school certificate)
• Children’s birth certificates
Passport photos are required for your employment or dependant’s pass application, but not usually for other applications. The instant photo shop passport photos taken against a white background are fine and they don’t need to be signed by a witness.
Other documents such as your birth certificate, divorce or annulment certificates, driving licence, university transcripts, professional certification certificates, and employment contracts could also become necessary at some point, so bring them along.
Any forms or applications that you submit to the government and other institutions in Singapore will be in English, and any of your official documents that are not in English will require a certified translation to be submitted along with the original. Certified translations are usually easier to get in your home country, but your home country’s embassy in Singapore will probably provide this service for a fee.
Your original passport, valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in Singapore, is absolutely essential. Any forms that you complete will ask for your passport number so memorising it or keeping it close at hand will make things easier. To obtain an employment pass or a dependant’s pass you’ll also need:
• Marriage certificate
• Educational certificates (highest level only – no need to bring your primary school certificate)
• Children’s birth certificates
Passport photos are required for your employment or dependant’s pass application, but not usually for other applications. The instant photo shop passport photos taken against a white background are fine and they don’t need to be signed by a witness.
Other documents such as your birth certificate, divorce or annulment certificates, driving licence, university transcripts, professional certification certificates, and employment contracts could also become necessary at some point, so bring them along.
Any forms or applications that you submit to the government and other institutions in Singapore will be in English, and any of your official documents that are not in English will require a certified translation to be submitted along with the original. Certified translations are usually easier to get in your home country, but your home country’s embassy in Singapore will probably provide this service for a fee.
