Last updated: Jan 2025
Key Takeaways:
- Employment agencies in Singapore assist foreigners in job placement and work visa processes.
- Companies in Singapore can hire foreigners with valid work visas, subject to MOM regulations and quotas.
- Fees charged by recruitment agencies typically range from 15% to 30% of the worker’s annual salary.
- Engaging an employment agency can offer expertise, save time, and provide legal compliance assurance.
Introduction:
Navigating the job market in Singapore as a foreigner can be daunting. Employment agencies bridge the gap, offering vital services from securing a position to handling visa requirements. With the right agency, the process becomes streamlined and accessible, opening doors to career opportunities in Singapore’s dynamic economy.
Featured Snippet:
Can Singapore companies hire foreigners? Yes, Singapore companies can hire foreigners, provided they obtain the necessary work visas. There are different passes for various skill levels, such as the Work Permit for unskilled or semi-skilled workers, the S Pass for mid-level skilled staff, and the Employment Pass for professionals in managerial, executive, or specialized jobs. The hiring process is regulated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which imposes quotas and standards to ensure fair employment practices. Employers must comply with these regulations to legally employ foreign nationals in Singapore.
Can Singapore Companies Hire Foreigners?
Yes, companies registered in Singapore can hire foreigners as long as they have work visas.
Although, there are a set of conditions to be followed when hiring a foreigner.
There is a quota system in Singapore-based companies where they should hire a certain number of Singapore residents before being able to hire S pass holders.
But, when hiring for managerial, technical, and specialist roles under employment pass, this quota system does not apply.
How to Employ Foreign Workers in Singapore?
Hiring foreign workers comes with standards and permits from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
First, only workers with work visas or work passes were allowed to work in Singapore.
These passes are issued between 18 to 50 years old.
There are different work passes issued depending on the employees’ skills level.
Work Permit is issued for unskilled or semi-skilled foreign workers.
S Pass is needed for semi and mid-level skilled staff with a diploma or bachelor’s degree, earning at least $2,400 a month.
An employment pass is a work visa for foreigners with professional, managerial, and executive roles in Singapore.
Lastly, a personalized employment pass is for holders earning at least $12,000 a month. This provides greater flexibility than the ordinary employment pass.
When the work visa is approved, only the requirements from the hiring company are needed like medical checkups.
How Much Do Recruitment Agencies Charge in Singapore?
One of your concerns may be the fee recruitment agencies charge.
The recruitment fees depend on the worker’s annual salary. It can range from 15% to 30%.
From another perspective, agencies may charge no more than the worker’s one-month fixed salary rate.
The Ministry of Manpower issues an in-principle approval (IPA) letter before the worker arrives in Singapore. This IPA letter indicates the fixed monthly salary and the fees paid to the recruitment agency.
If excessive fees are collected, workers may report the agency to the Ministry of Manpower for assistance.
Is it Worth Going Through a Recruitment Agency?
Hiring an employment agency may sound like an additional cost at first but it is worth it since they are specialists in their field.
The right employment agency gives you access to the best candidates, saves time, provides industry expertise, is knowledgeable in recruitment law, and would enable the company’s growth and innovation.
Not sure where to start in finding the best employment agency?
We got you covered!
We have gathered the ten best and most reliable agencies to make your search easier, faster, and effective.
Top 10 Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
1. RecruitFirst Singapore
RecruitFirst Singapore – Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
Being a part of HRnetGroup Limited, established in 1992, RecruitFirst has a long list of matched workers and employees.
They started as a 4-person team which has now grown with 900 consultants across 15 Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and many more.
In Singapore alone, RecruitFirst has covered seven cities and 23 industries.
They have more than 150 consultants and have matched 42,998 contractor employees.
RecruitFirst has leaders from different industries, such as consumer retail, healthcare, education, technology, and telecommunications.
These leaders give out insights to clients, advise candidates, and manage the consultants.
To apply, you can look for a suitable job on the Job Board posted on the website, fill in the necessary details, and submit your application. You will get a call from RecruitFirst once you are shortlisted.
Address: 391A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #23-06, Singapore, 238873
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2. Randstad Singapore
Randstad Singapore – Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
Recruitment has been heavily driven by technology recently. To ensure human touch and real connections, Randstad Singapore remains your trusted human partner searching for the perfect role.
Randstad Singapore dives deeper than resumes and job openings.
Asking the right questions is their secret to pinpointing the needs and creating a great match.
With Randstad Singapore, you get a smarter and more personal HR experience.
They also have operations in other countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
If you are interested in being one of Randstad Singapore’s contractors, they promise to support your career and provide a positive and rewarding work experience.
Randstad also gives out incentives if you refer a friend for a role.
Address: 50 Raffles Place #17-02/05, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore, 048623
Contact: +65 6510 1350
Learn more: Best Immigration Agencies in Singapore to Helping People Migrate to Singapore
3. BGC Group Pte. Ltd.
BGC Group Pte. Ltd. – Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
Established in May 2005, BGC Group has helped over 100,000 individuals land rewarding careers in successful companies that drive different industries.
They take pride in the solid ground of trust they have set for both job seekers and employers.
BGC Group is a group of HR Specialists for healthcare and life science, banking and finance, accounting, c-suite and senior executives, and information technology.
Permanent placement, consultancy, business process outsourcing, temporary and contract staffing, and outsourcing are other services they offer.
With their user-friendly portal, you can quickly search for open job posts or refer a friend for a role.
By 2028, BGC Group envisions becoming the leading tech firm in manpower outsourcing.
Address: 298 Tiong Bahru Road, #12-03 Central Plaza, Singapore, 168730
Contact: +65 6535 9696
4. Universal Employment Agency
Universal Employment Agency – Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
Are you looking for a licensed Singapore Maid Agency? Universal Employment Agency is your best choice!
Licensed by the Ministry of Manpower in 1986, Universal Employment Agency has served for over 30 years.
This agency is the leading professional consultancy that has long specialized in the placement of foreign helpers from Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
The Universal Employment Agency promises to take care of its hires.
They offer application and renewal of maid work permits, placement of ex-Singapore maids, passport renewal, medical check-ups, and comprehensive insurance for maids in Singapore.
Being very keen on the needs and demands of employers, they have separate hirings for maids needed for housework and cooking, for newborn and infant care, and children care.
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #03-52 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Contact: +65 6735 3456
5. Hunter Employment Pte. Ltd.
Hunter Employment Pte. Ltd. – Employment Agency Singapore for Foreigners
Hunter Employment Pte Ltd specializes in providing construction, manufacturing, and process workers.
This professional foreign worker employment sources most of the foreign workers from Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China.
They also provide employment contract drafting and Foreign Worker Act consultancy.
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