Singapore

DOLMAN recruits talented lawyers for top international United Kingdom and United States firms with offices in Singapore. Project finance and insolvency lawyers are particularly sought after.

As an Australian am I entitled to work in Singapore?

Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Singapore. However, to work there as a lawyer, you will require an Employment Pass. To apply for an Employment Pass, you will need a local sponsor, who is usually the company that is employing you. In order to eligible you must have a monthly basic salary of at least S$1,800. An Employment Pass holder may apply for Dependant Passes for a spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. You can apply for Dependant Passes together with the Employment Pass.

As an Australian am I qualified to practice as a solicitor in Singapore?

Unlike, say, the situation in Hong Kong, most offshore (i.e. UK and US) firms in Singapore do not require overseas qualified lawyers, including Australians, to be admitted to the Singapore Bar in order to practice. This is because the current Law Society rules prescribe that offshore firms in Singapore are not allowed to advise on Singapore law (unless they are in a joint venture with a local Singaporean firm). In any case, most Australian and other foreign lawyers would be working on deals involving English or US law. However, there are procedures enabling specified Australians from certain “recognised” universities to be admitted to the Singapore Bar if you wish to be admitted.

Who are the top law firms in Singapore?

The top international law firms in Singapore include the following:

ALLEN & OVERY

BAKER & MCKENZIE
CLIFFORD CHANCE
DLA PIPER

HERBERT SMITH
JONES DAY

LINKLATERS
MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY

NORTON ROSE

WHITE & CASE

WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS

What are the average solicitors’ salaries in Singapore?

One of the notable changes is a phasing out of traditional expatriate packages to an overall package. Most firms will pay your relocation costs (including a few weeks at a serviced apartment or hotel until you find accommodation) but the actual salary package will be a lump sum cash package and it is up to you to carve out of that housing, living, transport, etc.

The salary rates for medium- large law firms in Singapore are as follows:

Bonuses: The majority of international firms pay bonuses based on individual performance and firm performance.

Benefits: Often include full medical coverage for the whole family, less likely now to include superannuation/CPF (unless you are a permanent resident of Singapore) and club memberships.

Holidays: The average amount of holidays is 25 days.

What are the tax rates in Singapore?

Personal income tax rates in Singapore are among the lowest in the world. Income tax will be assessed on the following scale in 2006:

Singapore also gives provision for certain tax deductions and reliefs, including reliefs for supporting dependants, paying professional and academic course fees and life insurance policy premiums.

Foreigners on employment pass or work permit who are physically present or working in Singapore for 183 days or more per year are required to pay income tax. Taxes are imposed on all income derived in Singapore and any overseas income remitted, transmitted or brought into Singapore. Exceptions are for those on short-term employment under 60 days and those whose home countries have tax treaties with Singapore entitling them to tax exemptions.

A 3% Goods and Services Tax also applies.

Does Singapore have a compulsory superannuation scheme?

No, Singapore does not have a compulsory superannuation scheme for all residents. Only permanent residents in Singapore have a Central Provident Fund (CPF) paid by their employer. Under this scheme, both employer and employee make monthly contributions to the Fund, which can be withdrawn at age 55. Before that age, the Fund can also be used for hospitalisation expenses, house ownership, insurance schemes and investment in stocks and shares.

Foreign employees on Employment/Professional Visit Pass or 3-year Work Permit are exempted for making mandatory CPF contributions. CPF contributions are, however, payable for foreigners who become a Singapore permanent resident. Most overseas lawyers in Singapore will remain foreign residents (rather than permanent) during their stay, however after 2 years they will be entitled to apply to become permanent residents and would then be entitled to CPF payments from their employer. Permanent resident contribute at reduced rates in the first two years. From the third year onward, the contribution rates are the same as those for Singapore citizens.

As an Australian am I entitled to public healthcare in Singapore?

Most foreign law firms in Singapore provide health coverage for their employees as well as their spouses and children. You are usually given health benefits as part of their contract. This often takes the form of a variant of a managed plan where you choose from a list of doctors participating in the system. The level of coverage will differ from form to firm, from full coverage (medical, dental & optical) to basic coverage (medical only). Thus all foreign lawyers working in Singapore will receive at least full medical coverage for themselves and their family paid for by their employer.

Will I be able to set up and access a bank account as soon as I arrive in Singapore?

To open a bank account in Singapore is very easy. You will usually only need to show your employment pass (which your employer will need to get for you prior to your arrival in order to sponsor you to work in Singapore) and your passport, and provide an initial minimum deposit. Provided you bring the required documentation, you will usually be able to open an account on the spot.

There are many banks to choose from, with more than 140 commercial banks and 80 merchant banks in Singapore. Most offer full banking services, including checking and savings accounts, ATMs, fixed deposits, safe deposit boxes, loans, overdrafts and transfers. Almost all the major foreign banks are represented in Singapore. Major local banks include the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), Keppel Bank, the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), the Overseas Union Bank (OUB), the Post Office Savings Bank (POSBank), Tat Lee Bank and the United Overseas Bank (UOB).

If you are applying for a credit card, you will need a letter from your employer detailing your income; specific position in the firm; and the date of your commencement of work. Typically, to apply for a credit card, you will require an employment pass with at least 9-12 months' validity and an annual salary of $30,000 for VISA and $48,000 for a Gold Card.

How difficult is it to find rental accommodation in Singapore?

Singapore has many rental properties. Classifieds can be found in the newspapers everyday, although most ex-pats go through real estate agents, recommended by their employer. Rental prices vary according to locality, type of premises, size, furnishing provided and recreational facilities available. Accommodation in Singapore is normally rented out on an initial one or two year lease. Landlords usually ask for up to 3 months' rent as a deposit. Rentals could range from $1,500 for a three-room HDB flat to $30,000 for a fully-furnished bungalow. A commission of at least _-1 months rent will be paid to the agent.

If you don't drive, you may want to check out the distance from the house to an MRT station, or the availability of buses. Conversely, some people do not like living near to a MRT track because of the noise.

Prime districts are at Orchard Road, around Holland Road, Tanglin Road, River Valley, and Bukit Timah, where rents cost a lot more. Other popular residential areas are the West Coast and the East Coast. For example, a three-room apartment that costs $4,000-5,000 in a prime district may cost only $2,600 outside the prime district.

Below is a list of what one might find in the daily advertisements, and the average asking prices of some of the island's properties:

Can I drive in Singapore with an Australian driver’s license?

The transport system in Singapore is efficient and reliable. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system plies the main stretches across the island, while buses cover other routes. Premier buses and taxis provide a faster and more comfortable ride at a higher price. A Light Rail System (LRT) has been planned for the year 2002, and it will serve as a feeder to the MRT network when ready. At certain times of the day (especially during peak hour) traffic can be quite bad, so most people try to live near an MRT to avoid delay. Similarly most ex-pats do not drive cars in Singapore due to the frequent delay and the comparative convenience of the MRT.

It is very expensive to own and drive a car in Singapore, as cars and their running costs are expensive there. On average, expect to incur S$2500 to S$3000.00 a month to rent a 1600-2000 cc car with some petrol leftover for the car. The other item you might want to consider or negotiate with your employers is transportation.

A Singapore driving licence is required if your stay there is more than six months. Permanent resident or foreigners on work permits must thus convert to a local Singapore license. You must take the local Basic Theory Test before you are allowed to convert your foreign driving license to a Singapore licence.

To apply for the licence you must pay $20 and provide the following documents:

(a)     Current driver's licence printed in English. If it is not in English, you will need to produce an official translation by the Embassy or High Commission of your country. It must also have been issued at least 6 months before your arrival in Singapore;

(b)     Passport;

(c)     Employment, dependent or student pass;

(d)     An extract of your driving record from a licensed authority from your home country (If your current licence is less than 6 months old or comes from an ASEAN country); and

(e)     A medical certificate if you are over 60 years of age.

Does my spouse have the right to work?

Yes. The Singapore Government has a policy to allow spouses of holders of professional visas to work. De facto partners do not have this right.

Useful links

Immigration & Checkpoint Authority: http://app.ica.gov.sg

Ministry of Manpower: http://www.mom.gov.sg

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore: http://www.iras.gov.sg

Expat Singapore: http://www.expatsingapore.com

Ministry of Transport: http://www.mot.gov.sg