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Little baggage and big dreams: Foreigners who come to Singapore to work using social visit passes

A number of foreigners arrive daily on social visit passes to earn an income from odd jobs

A van picking up workers from Kampong Kapor Road in Little India. The spot is often used by foreigners looking for daily odd jobs, including those offered by renovation firms and restaurants. They can earn between $8 and $10 an hour. The Sunday Times — The Sunday Times found about 10 people sleeping on Sentosa Boardwalk last week. A Singaporean who slept there said some foreigners, who come here to work on a daily basis, have also been sleeping there.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

A van picking up workers from Kampong Kapor Road in Little India. The spot is often used by foreigners looking for daily odd jobs, including those offered by renovation firms and restaurants. They can earn between $8 and $10 an hour. The Sunday Times — A van picking up workers from Kampong Kapor Road in Little India. The spot is often used by foreigners looking for daily odd jobs, including those offered by renovation firms and restaurants. They can earn between $8 and $10 an hour. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Joyce Lim and Ariffin Jamar

Published
Mar 24, 2019, 5:00 am SGT

Tina's heart skipped a beat as her ferry docked at HarbourFront Centre ferry terminal.

She prayed for a "good" immigration officer who would not ask too many questions about why she was visiting Singapore.

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