Easily Hire, Manage, and Pay Your Employees in Singapore
RecruitGo's Employer of Record service in Singapore enables employers to hire top Singaporean talent quickly and compliantly — without the cost and delay of setting up a local entity. You focus on growth; we handle CPF, SDL, and Employment Act compliance.
Why Foreign Companies Hire in Singapore
Singapore is Asia's premier business hub, ranked #1 globally for ease of doing business. Common law legal system, strong IP protection, zero capital gains tax, 17% corporate rate, world-class infrastructure, and one of the most educated workforces in the world. English is the primary business language.
For foreign companies, Singapore is the natural APAC HQ location with a transparent regulatory environment, efficient incorporation (1-2 days), deep talent in finance, tech, biotech, and professional services, and access to ASEAN's 680 million consumers. Main challenge: highest salary expectations in Southeast Asia, plus 17% employer CPF for citizens/PRs.
How RecruitGo Helps You Hire in Singapore
Whether you need to hire without a local entity, run payroll, manage benefits, or navigate the EP/S Pass/COMPASS system, RecruitGo has a service for each stage.
Employer of Record (EOR)
Hire employees in Singapore without incorporating. RecruitGo handles contracts, CPF, SDL, IR8A filing, and full Employment Act compliance.
Payroll Service
Already have a Singapore entity? We process monthly payroll in SGD, calculate CPF by age band, manage SDL, file IR8A with IRAS, and handle AIS submissions.
Employee Benefits
Design benefits that compete in Singapore's demanding talent market. We manage CPF, group health, dental, and flexible benefits.
Work Passes
Foreign nationals need a work pass from MOM. We manage EP, S Pass, COMPASS scoring, and dependent passes.
Singapore Employment Snapshot
Essentials of hiring employees in Singapore.
| Currency | Singapore Dollar (SGD) |
| Minimum wage | No general minimum. Progressive Wage Model for specific sectors (cleaning, security, etc.) |
| Working hours | 44 hrs/week (or 48 alternating). Part IV protections for salary up to S$4,500 |
| Overtime | 1.5x hourly. Only for Part IV employees (up to S$4,500). Max 72 hrs/month |
| Probation | No statutory requirement. Typically 3-6 months by contract |
| Contract types | Permanent (indefinite), fixed-term, part-time (<35 hrs/week) |
| Annual leave | 7 days after 1 year, +1/year to 14 days after 8+ years |
| Sick leave | 14 days outpatient + 60 days hospitalization. Employer-paid. 3 months service required |
| Maternity leave | 16 weeks. First 8 employer-paid. Last 8 government-paid (qualifying births) |
| Paternity leave | 2 weeks government-paid. Must be married, child SG citizen, 3+ months service |
| CPF (under 55) | Employer 17% + Employee 20% = 37%. OW ceiling S$8,000/mo from Jan 2026 |
| CPF (55-60) | Employer 16% + Employee 17% = 33% (from Jan 2026) |
| SDL | 0.25% of wages. Min S$2, max S$11.25/employee. Employer pays |
| Income tax | Progressive 0% to 24%. Employer files IR8A. No withholding (employee pays) |
| Termination notice | Per contract (1-3 months typical). Statutory: 1 day to 4 weeks by service length |
| Retrenchment | No statutory benefit. Market: 2 weeks to 1 month per year. Notify MOM if 5+ in 6 months |
| Public holidays | 11 gazetted public holidays per year |
| Language | English. Primary business and government language |
How to Hire in Singapore as a Foreign Company
Incorporation is fast (1-2 days via ACRA), but ongoing compliance and the work pass system make EOR attractive for smaller teams.
| EOR (RecruitGo) | Singapore Pte Ltd | Contractor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to first hire | 3-5 business days | 1-2 weeks (ACRA) | Immediate |
| Setup cost | None | S$1K-5K+ plus annual compliance | None |
| Compliance | RecruitGo | You | Contractor's responsibility |
| CPF | Handled by RecruitGo | Your responsibility | N/A (citizens/PRs only) |
| Work pass sponsorship | Via RecruitGo entity | Your entity sponsors | N/A |
| Ideal for | 1-15 employees, testing | 15+, APAC HQ, fundraising | True project work |
CPF applies only to SG citizens and PRs: Foreign employees on EP or S Pass are exempt from CPF. Employer cost for foreign workers is essentially just salary + SDL + benefits. However, FCF requires advertising on MyCareersFuture for 14 days before EP application.
COMPASS framework for EPs (Sep 2023): All new EP applications must score 40+ points based on salary benchmarks, qualifications, workforce diversity, and local employment support. Some exemptions for salary above S$22,500/month.
Key Employment Rules in Singapore
Central Provident Fund (CPF)
Mandatory for SG citizens and PRs. Under 55: employer 17% + employee 20% = 37% of ordinary wages. OW ceiling S$8,000/mo from Jan 2026. Ages 55-60: 16% + 17% = 33%. First/second-year PRs have lower graduated rates. Submit by 14th of following month. Late: 1.5% monthly interest.
Employment Act coverage
Since Apr 2019, covers all employees (except domestic, seafarers, statutory boards). Part IV provisions (overtime, rest days, public holidays) apply only to employees earning up to S$4,500. Above S$4,500: overtime governed by contract, not statute.
Leave entitlements
7 days annual leave after 1 year, +1/year to 14 after 8+ years. Sick: 14 outpatient + 60 hospitalization (employer-paid). Maternity: 16 weeks (8 employer + 8 government for qualifying births). Paternity: 2 weeks government-paid. Childcare: 6 days/year (under 7). 11 gazetted public holidays.
Termination and retrenchment
Contractual notice (1-3 months typical). Statutory minimum: 1 day to 4 weeks by service length. Payment in lieu OK. No statutory retrenchment benefit; market norm 2 weeks to 1 month per year. Notify MOM if 5+ in 6 months. Singapore is generally employer-friendly.
Work passes
EP: S$5,000+ salary, must pass COMPASS (40 points). No quota or levy. S Pass: S$3,150+ minimum, quota + monthly levy (S$450-650). ONE Pass: S$30,000+/month, maximum flexibility. Processing: 3-8 weeks for EP. Fair Consideration Framework: advertise on MyCareersFuture 14 days before EP application.
What It Costs to Employ Someone in Singapore
For SG citizens/PRs under 55: ~117-118% of gross. For foreign EP holders: ~100.25% (just SDL). CPF is the major cost differentiator.
| Component | Monthly (S$) | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | 6,000 | — |
| CPF (employer) | 1,020 | 17% (OW ceiling S$8K from 2026) |
| SDL | 15 | 0.25% of wages |
| Total employer cost | ~7,035 | ~117% of gross |
CPF only for SG citizens/PRs. For foreign EP holders: only SDL (0.25%). OW ceiling S$8K from Jan 2026. Above S$8K: employer CPF capped at S$1,360/mo. Most employers also provide health insurance (S$200-600/mo), annual bonus (1-3 months), and transport/meal allowances. EOR fee not included.
Common Questions
What companies ask most about hiring in Singapore.
Yes, through an EOR. RecruitGo is a locally registered Pte Ltd handling contracts, CPF, SDL, IR8A filing, and Employment Act compliance. Hire in 3-5 days without ACRA registration.
Under 55: employer 17% + employee 20% = 37%. OW ceiling S$8K/mo from Jan 2026. Annual ceiling S$102K. Ages 55-60: 16% + 17% from Jan 2026. First/second-year PRs have graduated rates. Foreign EP/S Pass holders are exempt.
No general minimum wage. Progressive Wage Model sets sector-specific minimums for cleaning, security, landscape, retail, food services, waste, and admin roles. Professional roles are market-driven.
Since Sep 2023: 40+ points required based on salary benchmarks, qualifications, workforce diversity, and local employment support. Exemptions for salary above S$22,500/month, intra-corporate transfers, and roles under 1 month.
EP: professionals S$5,000+, must pass COMPASS, no quota/levy. S Pass: mid-level S$3,150+, quota + levy (S$450-650). Work Permit: semi-skilled in construction, manufacturing, services, with quota + levy.
16 weeks total. First 8: employer-paid. Last 8: government-paid (capped S$10K/4 weeks). Child must be SG citizen, 3+ months service. Paternity: 2 weeks government-paid. Cannot terminate during maternity.
3-5 days for SG citizens/PRs. For foreign workers: EOR submits EP/S Pass via MOM. EP: 3-8 weeks including COMPASS. S Pass: 3-4 weeks. Own Pte Ltd: 1-2 weeks ACRA plus additional setup.
