Singapore has been a favourite hub to scale new heights in career for Indians. With around 250,300 Indian diaspora, this country’s total population has good share of Indian population, i.e. 7.4% of its total population according to Wikipedia.
ENT test mandatory for visa to Singapore
But a little amendment in the visa policy of Singapore has disturbed the dreams of several Indian aspirants. Yes, it’s true! The government of Singapore has made ‘Economic Needs Test’ (ENT) compulsory. It is an announcement that has left Indian bureaucrats and aspirants dumbstruck.
The wounds of the unpleasant amendments in US’ H1B visa policy are still fresh. Moreover, another blow of this test came from Singapore upon skilled Indian workers. The thunderbolt is fallen on those ones who are thinking to apply for OCI card or who are NRIs there. The ITians in the country were raised to 30% by the fourth quarter of 2016. But this announcement has declined the number of visa applications.
Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar stated in media that such mandatory test has been putting many visa applications on halt since early 2016. According to him, many Indian companies there received an obligatory notice for fair consideration. By fair consideration, the government means considering local skills (talent of Singapore) first for fulfilling vacancies.
It is noteworthy that many Indian companies, including Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant and L & T Infotech, have shifted to that country. But the rise of this critical situation has pushed them in the same thought of shifting again.
What is Economic Needs Test (ENT)?
This test has been crafted to create barriers for the natural person to supply his/her services. As far as the local employment is concerned, it’s an excellent thought. But in the interest of international trade and opportunities, it’s a curse. It nullifies the possibility of opportunities and accessibility of foreign skills.
However, this test is a validation for some particular skills. But the immigration authority of Singapore has been targeting IT professional since 2016. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) has already looked into the bilateral pact with the country. It clearly elaborates no mention of ENT provision for Indian techies. Denial of visa due to non-compliance of ENT apparently cites violation of CECA treaty.
Who is liable to go through ENT?
As per GAIT commitments, Intra-corporate transferees are liable to go through ENT test. This criterion is applicable for those who are specialists/experts possessing expertise or proprietary knowledge of the organization’s products & services. It is also provided that these products and services should be subject to market test and employment of the countrymen as a counterpart.
There are certain professionals or skills mentioned under the pact who have to go through this test. But IT professionals are excluded from that list.
What are the criteria to set ENT?
The following criteria set the stage for ENT in any nation:
Pharma: The population, number of existing pharmacies, geographical density
Stores: The number of existing stores and their impacts, impact on traffic conditions, creation of new employment, the number of service suppliers in the local geographic area
Hotel: Need of the market, locating different categories of the hotels
Tourism: Existing public transport on the specific route, service providers in the local geographic area, increase in the tourists’ count, population, type of neighbourhood, touristic interests, number of existing hotels/restaurant
For managerial requirements: Size of fully paid-up capital, employment potential, expansion of foreign investment, promotion of export, exchange of technology & special need of management.