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Last Updated: 15 Sep 2023

Types of employment

Learn about the types of employment that can count towards serving your bond obligation.

You must start serving your 3-year bond immediately after graduation and submit an update on your employment status within 3 months. Therefore, we recommend that you start your job search early.

Acceptable employment

Only full-time employment after graduation will be considered towards serving your Service Obligation grant bond obligation. You may work for different companies for a cumulative period of 3 years.

These are the types of full-time employment that count towards serving your bond:

Local employment 

  • Full-time employee of a Singapore entity.
  • Self-employed person where the company is registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Overseas employment 

  • Secondment from a Singapore entity while remaining on the Singapore entity’s payroll.
  • Employee of an overseas subsidiary, or a joint venture of a Singapore entity which is more than 50% owned by the Singapore entity.
  • Employee in an overseas representative office of a Singapore entity while remaining on the Singapore entity’s payroll.
  • Employee of an overseas office with operating cash flow that is funded from the Singapore entity.
  • Singapore entity refers to a company incorporated in Singapore or a foreign company with a substantial connection to Singapore in accordance with the Singapore law.
  • An entity can be a business organisation such as a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship, as well as non-business entities such as government agencies, non-profit organisations, and educational institution.

Job search strategies

  • Expand the modes of your job search by seeking advice from the career centre in your institution and registering with recruitment agencies.
  • Expand your job search efforts to areas outside of your immediate field of study.
  • Consider taking up short-term contracts to keep your resume and skills updated.
  • Ask your network to help you look out for opportunities and recommend you for job vacancies in their companies.
  • If you are an international student, obtain an S Pass or Employment Pass eligibility letter from your institution and attach it to your job application.