Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Scheme Guide
Issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, the Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Scheme is a work visa that allows foreign professionals in Singaporean companies to live and work in the city-state. EP holders can also travel in and out of Singapore without needing to apply for entry visas.
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Those who are eligible for the EP Scheme include foreign professional employees, executives, and managers of Singaporean companies. From meeting legal requirements to gathering the right documents, applying for an EP can certainly be stressful. Fortunately, our handy guide is here to help.
Keep reading to learn more about the Singapore Employment Pass Scheme, or check out our article on the Singapore Visa Guide for US Citizens to find out which visa applies to you.
What Is An Employment Pass?
Foreign professionals, managers, and executives can live and work in Singapore under the EP. To qualify, candidates must earn a minimum of SGD $5,000 a month (SGD $5,500 for financial services). Employers are also required to prove that all jobseekers have been fairly considered.
Important Facts On Employment Pass
The following brief overview can help you decide whether an Employment Pass (EP) is a suitable pass for you, including details such as renewability, family passes, health insurance requirements, and more.
- EPs are designed for foreign professionals, managers, and executives who have been offered a job in Singapore and meet the eligibility criteria.
- An employer or authorized employment agent must apply on the candidate’s behalf.
- The qualifying fixed monthly salary for EPs starts from SGD $5,000. The minimum fixed monthly salary can be higher for financial services sector employees.
- The duration of the EP is up to 2 years for a first-time candidate and up to 3 years for renewals. 5-year duration passes are available for experienced tech professionals with the relevant skills.
- The EP is renewable.
- Eligible EP holders can get passes for family members.
- Employers can choose whether to provide health insurance for EP holders.
Should I Apply For An Employment Pass Or An Entrepreneur Pass?
There is often confusion about whether to apply for an Employment Pass (EP) or an Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass). Essentially, anyone who is listed as a shareholder of a newly incorporated company should apply for an EntrePass instead of an EP.
With that said, the shareholding issue doesn’t apply to companies that have been incorporated in Singapore for over 6 months. Therefore, you can apply for an EP in Singapore if the latter applies to you.
Employment Pass Requirements
To qualify for a Singaporean Employment Pass (EP), candidates must meet the following eligibility and salary requirements.
- EP candidates must have a job offer from a company that is registered in Singapore.
- EP candidates must work in a specialist, managerial, or executive role.
- EP candidates must earn a fixed monthly salary of SGD $5,000 at a minimum, with higher salaries required from more experienced candidates.
- EP candidates must have acceptable academic qualifications.
- EP candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Since the Ministry of Manpower continuously updates the EP eligibility framework, it’s important to keep an eye on the upcoming changes to Employment Pass eligibility.
Most Recent Employment Pass Update
There is a recent update for the Employment Pass from the government on 4 March 2024 – the minimum qualifying salaries for new applicants and renewals have increased. Although the majority of EP holders already earn above the new qualifying salary, it might be helpful to know for some.
| 4 March 2024 EP update | New Employment Pass |
| Minimum qualifying salary |
|
| Start date for new applicants | January 2025 |
| Start date for renewals | January 2026 |
Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
The Ministry of Manpower’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) is a useful online tool that you can use to assess whether you qualify for an Employment Pass (EP) based on information such as:
- Salary
- Educational qualifications
- Work experience
Note that the SAT does not guarantee your application’s outcome. Candidates who are deemed eligible by the SAT have around a 90% likelihood of passing. However, if it shows the candidate isn’t eligible, they shouldn’t apply for the EP as it will be rejected.
Required Documents For Employment Pass Submission
When submitting an Employment Pass (EP) application, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires you to upload clear copies of documents, such as the personal particulars page of your passport, in English (or translated into English). The following are the documents required for EP.
Documents Required
- Personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport
- Company’s most recent business profile or instant information registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
- Candidate’s educational certificates, such as degree certification
- Candidate’s written consent permitting the company or authorized employment agent to apply on their behalf
The MOM may request additional documents. For example, candidates from India are also required to provide mark sheets and transcripts while candidates from China must also provide proof of a diploma in English.
Employment Pass Application Process And Timeline
From submitting an Employment Pass (EP) application to receiving the card, there are several steps that a company or an authorized employment agent must complete to apply for an EP in Singapore.
Step 1: Submit An Application
Once the candidate gives written consent and a completed candidate’s form to the employer or authorized employment agent, they can:
- Submit an application online via the EP eService
- Upload the required documents
- Pay the SGD $105 fee
The application will be processed within 10 business days, or you will receive an update within that timeframe. After 10 businesses, you can check your application status online. Similarly, the processing time for overseas companies without a Singapore-registered entity is typically within 8 weeks.
Note that candidates don’t have to be in Singapore during this time.
Step 2: Get The EP Pass Issued
To get the pass issued, the candidate must be in Singapore within 5 months of in-principle approval (IPA) in order to carry out the next steps.
The applicant needs to provide the required information and documents via the Employment Pass eService, and then pay the SGD $225 fee (or SGD $30 for each Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable). Both the candidate and employer will receive a notification letter by email once the pass has been issued.
The notification letter has one-month validity from the date of issue and permits the candidate to start working in Singapore, as well as travel freely, while waiting for the EP card. The letter also states whether a photo and fingerprints are necessary for registration.
Step 3: Register Fingerprints And Have Photo Taken (If Necessary)
Upon receiving the notification letter, candidates should check whether they must register their fingerprints and have their photos taken. If required, they must complete registration within 2 weeks following the date of issue.
The candidate must make an appointment before visiting the Employment Pass Services Center (EPSC) for registration, and bring the following documents for the appointment:
- Notification letter
- Appointment letter
- Original passport
Step 4: Obtain The Employment Pass Card
The Ministry of Manpower will deliver the Employment Pass card to the given address within 5 working days after registration or document verification at EPSC. Candidates who don’t need to register will receive the card within 5 working days once the documents are checked.
The delivery details will be sent via email or SMS at least 1 working day prior to delivery. The employer or employment agent can also check the card delivery status online.
What If My Employment Pass Is Rejected?
If your Employment Pass application is rejected, the employer or employment agent can appeal within 3 months. It’s worth noting that the company should only appeal if it can address the issues that led to rejection, which are outlined in the rejection advisory in Employment Pass eService.
The company can submit the appeal online, and the processing time is a minimum of 3 weeks.
How Do I Renew An Employment Pass?
Singapore Employment Passes (EP) expire after 2 years and can be renewed for up to 3 years. The employer or employer agent can submit EP renewal requests via the myMOM Portal between 6 months to 2 weeks before the EP pass expires. Candidates must apply for a new EP if it expires before renewal.
Passes For Family Members Of Employment Pass Holders
Certain family members can join Employment Pass (EP) holders in Singapore if they meet the following eligibility requirements. To get passes for family, EP holders must hold an Employment Pass and earn at least SGD $6,000 a month.
Legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old will need a Dependent’s Pass. While a Long-Term Visit Pass is required for:
- Common-law spouses
- Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above
- Unmarried step-children under 21 years old
- Parents of EP holders who earn at least $SGD 12,000
Your employer must submit a separate application for each family member, which can be submitted with the EP application or separately.
What If I Change Employers?
All Employment Pass (EP) holders must apply for a new pass whenever they change employers. However, they do not have to first cancel their existing pass when applying for a new one. The new EP will only be issued once the existing EP has been canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a person qualify for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore?
There are several eligibility criteria that a person must fulfill for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore, including a job offer from a Singapore-registered company, working in a specialist, managerial, or executive role, and having acceptable academic qualifications.
Is it difficult to get an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore?
The chances of getting an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore are higher if the applicant has relevant work experience, good academic qualifications, and a job offer with a competitive salary, though approval is not guaranteed.
What salary range is associated with a Singapore Employment Pass (EP)?
To qualify for a Singapore Employment Pass, expats in specialized, managerial, or executive roles must earn at least SGD $5,000 a month, increases based on age. However, a higher minimum fixed monthly salary is required from financial services sector employees.
How long does Employment Pass (EP) approval take in Singapore?
While the processing time for a Singapore Employment Pass varies, online applications typically take around 3 weeks to be approved while manual applications can take up to 8 weeks.
Conclusion
From fulfilling the Employment Pass requirements to understanding the Employment Pass Application process and timeline, there sure is a lot to think about when applying for an Employment Pass as a foreigner hoping to live and work in Singapore.
Fortunately, we at Pacific Prime like to make life easier for expats in Singapore by putting together helpful resources. If you liked this article, we suggest reading Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) Schemes or Singapore Immigration Visa Schemes.
You can also explore our blog for a compendium of expat-friendly articles. You can also contact our expert advisors for impartial insurance advice and a free plan comparison today!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.
Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.
Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
Comments
2 Comments
Are there any specific vaccinations or health screenings required for expats moving to Singapore, and how can they be arranged? How do the costs of private healthcare in Singapore compare to those in public hospitals, and what should expats consider when choosing between them?
Expats moving to Singapore are not required to have specific vaccinations, but it’s recommended to ensure routine immunizations (e.g., MMR, tetanus) are up to date. Vaccines for diseases like hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis may be advisable depending on your travel history or planned activities in the region. Health screenings for work passes, including a tuberculosis test and HIV screening, are often required and can be arranged through clinics accredited by Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
Private healthcare in Singapore is generally more expensive than public hospitals but offers shorter waiting times and access to top-tier specialists. Expats should consider private insurance to offset costs and ensure comprehensive coverage; many opt for providers like Cigna, Bupa, or Allianz. For tailored health insurance plans in Singapore, contact us through our Contact Us page to find the best options for your needs.
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