Cara Kerja di Singapore dari Indonesia: Panduan Lengkap A-Z (Visa, Gaji, Pajak) 2025

The Email That Changes Everything (But Raises 100 Questions)

Last week, Andi dari Bandung forwarded me an offer letter. Subject line: "Job Offer - Software Engineer - [Singapore Tech Company]"

SGD 5,500 per month base salary. Remote-friendly. Benefits package. Start date in 4 weeks.

His DM to me: "Mas, ini legit? Do I need visa? Pajaknya gimana? Worth it gak sih dibanding kerja lokal? I'm so confused."

Here's the thing: Getting a Singapore job offer as an Indonesian fresh graduate is NO LONGER rare. Singapore companies are actively hiring from Indonesia, especially for tech, digital marketing, and business roles.

But the information out there? Confusing. Contradictory. Incomplete.

So today, I'm giving you the COMPLETE playbook. Everything dari visa requirements, salary expectations, tax implications, cost of living, sampai payment methods.

Whether you're applying, interviewing, atau sudah dapat offer - this is your definitive guide.

The Two Paths: Remote vs Relocate (Critical Decision)

Before we dive into details, understand this: There are TWO completely different paths untuk working for Singapore companies.

Visa & Work Permits: The Complete Breakdown

For Remote Workers (Path A): No Singapore Visa Needed

If you work FROM Indonesia untuk Singapore company:

• You DON'T need Singapore work visa - you're not physically working in Singapore
• You CAN visit Singapore as tourist (visa-free for Indonesian passport holders, 30 days)
• You're technically a contractor/freelancer from Singapore company perspective (even if "employee" title)
• Indonesian legal entity option: Some people set up PT Perorangan (personal company) to invoice Singapore company - consult tax advisor

For Relocation (Path B): Employment Pass (EP)

What is Employment Pass?

Employment Pass adalah work visa Singapore untuk foreign professionals, managers, and executives. This is what 90% of Indonesian fresh graduates use when relocating.

EP Requirements (2025):

1. Minimum Salary:
   • Fresh graduates: SGD 5,000/month minimum (increased from SGD 4,500 in 2024)
   • Experienced (depends on age): SGD 5,500-6,200+/month
2. Educational Qualifications:
   • University degree (S1) from recognized institution
   • OR professional qualifications/specialist skills
   • Good/reputable universities have higher approval rate
3. Job Role:
   • Must be professional/managerial/executive role
   • Cannot be manual labor atau low-skilled positions

EP Application Process:

1. Company submits application to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on your behalf
2. Processing time: 3-8 weeks typically (can be faster/slower)
3. Approval criteria: COMPASS framework (salary, qualifications, company track record)
4. If approved: EP valid for 2 years initially, renewable
5. If rejected: Company can appeal atau adjust offer

Alternative Work Passes (Less Common for Fresh Grads)

S Pass

For mid-skilled workers. Lower salary threshold (SGD 3,150 minimum for fresh grads in 2025) but subject to quota (company can only have X% S Pass holders). Many tech companies prefer EP to avoid quota constraints.

Work Holiday Pass

For those aged 18-25 from partner countries (including Indonesia). 6 months work + holiday in Singapore. Good for gap year experience, but not long-term career path.

Gaji: What Fresh Graduates ACTUALLY Earn (By Role)

Let's talk numbers. Here's salary data from actual offers I've seen in 2024-2025 untuk Indonesian fresh graduates:

Role	Fresh Grad Range (SGD/month)	Indonesia Equivalent (IDR/month)
Software Engineer	SGD 4,500 - 6,500	IDR 52 juta - 75 juta
Data Analyst	SGD 4,000 - 5,500	IDR 46 juta - 63 juta
UI/UX Designer	SGD 4,000 - 5,500	IDR 46 juta - 63 juta
Digital Marketing	SGD 3,500 - 4,500	IDR 40 juta - 52 juta
Business Analyst	SGD 4,200 - 5,500	IDR 48 juta - 63 juta
Finance/Accounting	SGD 3,800 - 5,000	IDR 43 juta - 58 juta
Product Manager (rare for fresh grad)	SGD 5,000 - 7,000	IDR 58 juta - 81 juta

*Exchange rate: SGD 1 = IDR 11,500 (approximate, fluctuates)

What's Included in Salary Package?

• Base Salary: The monthly amount above
• AWS (Annual Wage Supplement): 1-month bonus (essentially 13th-month salary) - almost universal in Singapore
• Performance Bonus: 0.5 - 2 months depending on company/performance (not guaranteed)
• CPF Contributions: If relocating, employer contributes 17% of salary to your CPF (forced savings)
• Health Insurance: Usually covered for EP holders
• Annual Leave: 14-21 days/year typical

Salary Comparison: Singapore vs Indonesia (Same Role)

Role	Jakarta Salary (IDR)	Singapore Salary (IDR equiv)	Multiplier
Software Engineer	6-10 juta	52-75 juta	6-8x
Digital Marketing	5-8 juta	40-52 juta	5-7x
Data Analyst	6-9 juta	46-63 juta	5-7x

Yes, you're reading that right. Singapore salaries are 5-8x higher than Indonesia for fresh graduates dalam role yang sama.

But before you celebrate, remember: cost of living juga higher. Let's break it down.

Tax Implications: Remote vs Relocate (The Money Math)

Scenario A: Working Remote FROM Indonesia

Tax You Pay:

• Indonesian Income Tax ONLY (progressive rate 5% - 35%)
• Singapore company does NOT deduct tax (you're not Singapore tax resident)
• You must declare foreign income di SPT tahunan Indonesia
• Need NPWP (tax ID number) - get this from kantor pajak

Example Calculation (SGD 5,000/month = IDR 57.5 juta/month):

Annual Income: IDR 690 juta
Tax Calculation (2025 rates):

• First IDR 60 juta: 5% = IDR 3 juta
• Next IDR 190 juta (60-250 juta): 15% = IDR 28.5 juta
• Next IDR 250 juta (250-500 juta): 25% = IDR 62.5 juta
• Remaining IDR 190 juta (500-690 juta): 30% = IDR 57 juta

Total Annual Tax: ~IDR 151 juta
Monthly Tax: ~IDR 12.6 juta
Effective Tax Rate: ~22%

Scenario B: Relocating TO Singapore

Tax You Pay:

• Singapore Income Tax (progressive rate 0% - 22%, with rebates)
• PLUS CPF contributions (20% employee + 17% employer = forced savings)
• Tax residency if you stay 183+ days in Singapore

Example Calculation (SGD 5,000/month = SGD 60,000/year):

Annual Income: SGD 60,000
Singapore Tax (after rebates):

• First SGD 20,000: 0% (tax-free)
• Next SGD 10,000: 2% = SGD 200
• Next SGD 10,000: 3.5% = SGD 350
• Next SGD 20,000: 7% = SGD 1,400

Total Annual Tax: ~SGD 1,950
Monthly Tax: ~SGD 163
Effective Tax Rate: ~3.25%

CPF Contribution (Employee portion): 20% of SGD 60,000 = SGD 12,000/year = SGD 1,000/month (goes to your CPF account, technically still yours)

The Take-Home Comparison

Scenario	Gross Salary	Tax	CPF (employee)	Take Home
Remote dari Indonesia	SGD 5,000/mo	~SGD 1,095/mo	SGD 0	SGD 3,905/mo
Relocate to Singapore	SGD 5,000/mo	~SGD 163/mo	SGD 1,000/mo	SGD 3,837/mo

Note: CPF is deducted from your salary tapi goes to YOUR savings account (you can use for housing, retirement, etc. later). So technically it's still "yours", just not liquid cash.

Cost of Living: The REAL Numbers

Living in Singapore (Per Month)

Category	Budget Option	Mid-Range
Rent	SGD 800-1,200 (room share)	SGD 2,500-3,500 (1BR)
Food	SGD 400-600 (hawker centers)	SGD 800-1,000 (mix)
Transport	SGD 100-150 (MRT/bus)	SGD 150-200
Utilities	SGD 50-80 (shared)	SGD 150-200 (own apt)
Phone/Internet	SGD 30-50	SGD 50-80
Misc/Entertainment	SGD 200-300	SGD 400-600
TOTAL	SGD 1,600-2,000	SGD 2,500-3,500

Living in Indonesia (Jakarta) with Singapore Salary

Category	Budget Option (IDR)	SGD Equivalent
Rent	IDR 3-5 juta (decent room/apt)	~SGD 300
Food	IDR 2-3 juta	~SGD 200
Transport	IDR 500k-1 juta	~SGD 70
Utilities + Internet	IDR 500k-800k	~SGD 60
Misc/Entertainment	IDR 1-2 juta	~SGD 150
TOTAL	IDR 7-12 juta	~SGD 780

The Savings Math (SGD 5,000/month salary)

Bottom Line: Financially, both paths roughly similar dalam short-term savings potential IF you live frugally in Singapore. Tapi remote path gives you MORE liquid cash in hand.

Payment & Banking untuk Remote Workers

How Singapore Company Pays You (Remote)

Most common methods:

1. Wise (Recommended) ⭐

• Setup: Create Wise account (free), get SGD receiving details
• Company sends: SGD transfer to your Wise account
• You convert: SGD to IDR at real exchange rate (lowest fees)
• Withdraw: Transfer IDR to Indonesian bank
• Fees: ~0.5-1% total (MUCH cheaper than banks)

2. Payoneer

• Similar to Wise
• Slightly higher fees (~2%)
• Good if company already uses it

3. Direct Bank Transfer (Not Recommended)

• Singapore bank → Indonesian bank direct
• HIGH fees (3-5%) + bad exchange rate
• Only use if no other option

Finding Singapore Jobs: Where to Apply

Best Job Platforms for Singapore Roles:

1. LinkedIn
   • Use location filter: "Singapore"
   • Search: "[your role] remote" atau "[your role] Singapore"
   • Set job alerts for specific keywords
   • Optimize your profile (see our LinkedIn guide)
2. MyCareersFuture.sg
   • Official Singapore government job portal
   • Many companies required to post here first
   • Filter by "open to foreign candidates"
3. Glints
   • Southeast Asia focus (includes Singapore)
   • Many tech startups post here
   • Good for fresh graduates
4. NodeFlair (tech roles specifically)
   • Singapore tech job marketplace
   • Transparent salary ranges
   • Startup-focused
5. JobsDB Singapore
   • Large job portal
   • Mix of industries
6. Company Career Pages Directly
   • Shopee, Grab, Gojek (Singapore HQ), Ninja Van, Carousell
   • Check "Careers" page on company website

Search Terms to Use:

• "[role] remote" (e.g., "software engineer remote")
• "[role] work from anywhere"
• "[role] Southeast Asia"
• "[role] Singapore" + filter for remote-friendly companies

Application Timeline: What to Expect

Typical Timeline (Application → Start Date):

Week	Stage	What Happens
Week 1-4	Applications	Apply to 10-20 jobs. CV screening. First responses.
Week 4-8	Interviews	3-4 rounds typical: (1) Recruiter screen, (2) Hiring manager, (3) Technical/case, (4) Final/culture fit
Week 8-10	Offer Negotiation	Offer letter, salary nego, contract signing
Week 10-14	Visa Processing (if relocating)	Company submits EP application to MOM. 3-8 weeks processing.
Week 14+	Onboarding	Start date! (Remote: immediate. Relocate: after visa approval)

Pro Tip: Singapore companies generally move FASTER than Indonesian companies. Don't be surprised if they want you to start dalam 2-4 minggu after offer acceptance (for remote roles).

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Your Action Checklist: Next Steps

If you're serious about Singapore job, here's your action plan THIS WEEK:

• Update your CV untuk international standards - read our CV guide
• Optimize your LinkedIn profile (80% of Singapore recruiters use LinkedIn)
• Set up Wise account (so you're ready when offer comes)
• Research 10 target companies in your industry
• Prepare interview answers - see our interview guide
• Apply to 5-10 jobs per week consistently
• Set up job alerts on LinkedIn, MyCareersFuture, Glints

The Bottom Line: It's More Accessible Than You Think

Here's what I want you to take away from this 3,800-word guide:

Working for Singapore companies as an Indonesian fresh graduate is NO LONGER a pipe dream. It's happening to hundreds of your peers right now.

The barriers are lower than ever:

• ✅ Remote work normalized post-COVID
• ✅ Singapore companies actively hiring from Indonesia
• ✅ Visa process straightforward for qualified candidates
• ✅ Financial upside is MASSIVE (5-8x salary multiplier)

What's stopping most people? Not knowing the process. Not understanding visa requirements. Not optimizing their CV for international market. Not preparing properly for interviews.

You now have the complete playbook. The rest is execution.