Can Employers of Record in Singapore apply for work passes for foreigners to be based in Singapore while working for overseas companies?

No. Work passes are for foreigners to work for Singapore-based companies. 

To be based in Singapore for an extended period, foreigners will need to be hired by their company on a regular work pass. If the company has no local presence here, it can consider either:

• Setting up a representative office through Enterprise Singapore’s (ESG) Representative Office scheme
• Incorporating a company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)

Alternatively, if the foreigner wishes to explore business opportunities in Singapore, they can apply for a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) to attend company meetings, corporate retreats or meetings with business partners for up to 90 days each year.

Employers of Record that apply work passes for foreigners to be based in Singapore while working for overseas companies would be committing an offence.